The clatter of the passing period in the foreign language quad excites Mr. Eliseo Barnes as he strides to his classroom, prepared and ready to teach for the day. As his students enter the classroom, he greets them with high fives and an appreciative smile. Barnes is one of the new faces for the staff of Ayala, but not necessarily new to the grounds, given that he was an alumnus here. Now, he teaches Spanish, as well as being a member of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) committee to reinforce leadership on campus.
“I even played football for three years at Ayala, received my Seal of Biliteracy, and now teach in the very same classroom where I once learned Spanish,” Barnes said. “It feels incredibly meaningful to give back to the school that helped shape who I am.”
Barnes has eight years of experience in education as a teacher, director, and district coordinator in Arizona, Texas, and California. Subsequently, he has been recognized by the Exceptional Student Council in Washington, D.C., while simultaneously producing academic programs and learning centers. Throughout his experience, his mentorship provided a large amount of above average AP exam scores for Spanish Language and Culture exam.
“My goal is to strengthen the World Languages Department by fostering lifelong learners, enriching instructional practices, and helping students achieve at the highest levels, ” Barnes said.
Alongside his merits, Barnes shows a charismatic personality for his students, creating a welcoming environment for them to engage in. His teaching methods also show the effort he puts into each lecture he presents.
“What I enjoy the most about Mr. Barnes is that whenever he sees that there is an error, he encourages you to fix it,” Alondra Aparicio (9), Spanish 3 Honors student, said. “This helps many of us because it allows us to learn from our mistakes.”
Barnes is fond of every one of his students’ academic journeys, no matter their length. It is rewarding to him to see his students constantly grow, gain confidence, and develop a passion for strengthening their academic performance and linguistic capacity.
“I hope my students describe my class as a supportive and motivating environment where they are encouraged to set goals, track their progress, and celebrate success. Each success reminds me why I love what I do,” Barnes said.
Fortunately, Barnes has a list of goals he wishes to incorporate within the school year. This includes adding collaboration and structure to the foreign language department and providing meaningful lessons and an overall stronger curriculum for Ayala. This also includes fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.
“I want them to feel that learning Spanish is fun, practical, and empowering,” Barnes said.
Challenges within the educational system also require solutions. Within Barnes’ years of teaching experience, he has set a high bar for himself to balance ambition with compassion.
“I would recommend Mr. Barnes to other students because his classroom is such a joy to be in and his teaching techniques are always fun and creative,” Sophia Rivera (9), a Spanish 1 student, said.
This is only the beginning of Barnes’ journey and contribution to Ayala, and he is confident that his legacy will lead to support and diversity in the teaching of Spanish.
“I continually strive to improve as an educator so I can provide my students with the best learning experience possible—one that equips them with skills and confidence that extend beyond the classroom,” said Barnes.
