Quizás solo lo conozcan como uno de los profesores de español del campus de Granite Hills. Rafael López enseña español básico y avanzado en la escuela.

Sus motivaciones provienen de Dios y de sus alumnos.

Durante su vida ha vivido en más de once lugares diferentes, pero actualmente reside en lo que él llama la «hermosa ciudad» de Lindsay. Nació en México, en un barrio humilde. Siempre ha mantenido su vida profesional separada de su vida personal; por eso no trabaja en la misma ciudad en la que vive.

Comenzó su carrera como profesor en los años noventa y se graduó de la Universidad Estatal de Fresno con una licenciatura en humanidades. Sus principales inspiraciones fueron sus profesores universitarios. Decidió convertirse en maestro porque se enamoró de la escritura y la lectura. Asegura que su parte favorita de la profesión es ver el crecimiento académico y personal de sus estudiantes. También disfruta cuando exalumnos regresan para agradecerle. Su filosofía es que todos los estudiantes son inteligentes, pero lo que hacen con su inteligencia es lo que determina su futuro.

Según López, algunas de las dificultades de su carrera incluyen la falta de apoyo administrativo y el favoritismo. Considera que su estilo de enseñanza no es único ni exclusivo, ya que simplemente intenta enseñar cada lección de la mejor manera posible.

López aconseja a los futuros maestros que busquen apoyo temprano antes de que el estrés los abrume. También anima a sus alumnos a tener claros sus objetivos en la vida y a saber qué hacer para alcanzar sus metas.

Fuera del ámbito laboral, a López le gusta viajar, pasar tiempo con su familia y ver películas. También disfruta leer libros de terror. Describe su gusto musical como clásico: «viejitas pero bonitas».

Un dato sorprendente de su vida es que, a los 15 años, fue atropellado por un coche.

«Gracias a Dios no quedé paralizado», dijo López.

El accidente le dejó un golpe en la cadera. Aunque no puede realizar ciertos ejercicios, agradece a Dios haber sobrevivido y poder caminar.

Su objetivo para los próximos años es pagar sus deudas para poder jubilarse. Después de eso, se imagina viviendo lejos de aquí o permaneciendo en su amado Lindsay.

Para López, la felicidad no consiste en tener todo lo que uno desea, sino en amar lo que ya tiene.

«La felicidad no es llegar a tener todo lo que anhelas en la vida, sino amar lo que tienes en tus manos», dijo.

More than just words: A Spanish teacher who inspires

Students may know him simply as one of the Spanish teachers on the Granite Hills campus. Rafael López teaches both basic and advanced Spanish at the school.

His motivation comes from God and his students.

Throughout his life, López has lived in more than eleven different places, but he currently resides in what he calls the “beautiful city” of Lindsay. He was born in Mexico, in a humble neighborhood. He has always kept his professional life separate from his personal life, which is why he does not work in the same city where he lives.

López began his teaching career in the 1990s and graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in humanities. His main inspirations were his college professors. He decided to become a teacher after developing a love for reading and writing. He says his favorite part of teaching is seeing his students’ academic and personal growth. He also enjoys when former students return to thank him. His philosophy is that all students are intelligent, but what they do with that intelligence determines their future.

According to López, some of the challenges in his career include a lack of administrative support and favoritism. He does not consider his teaching style to be unique, saying that he simply tries to teach each lesson as effectively as possible.

López advises future teachers to seek support early before stress becomes overwhelming. He also encourages his students to set clear goals in life and understand what steps are necessary to achieve their goals.

Outside of work, López enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, and watching movies. He also likes reading horror novels. He describes his music taste as classic, saying they are “oldies but good ones.”

One surprising fact about his life is that, at 15 years old, he was hit by a car.

“Thank God I was not left paralyzed,” López said.

The accident caused an injury to his hip. Although he cannot do certain exercises, he is grateful to God that he survived and can walk.

His goal for the next few years is to pay off his debts so he can retire. After that, he envisions himself living far from the area or remaining in his beloved Lindsay.

For López, happiness is not about having everything one wants, but about loving what one already has.

“Happiness is not about getting everything you long for in life, but about loving what you already hold in your hands,” he said.