The Pirates’ Hook (PH): What do you teach at Riverside High?
Bart Gonzales (BG): I teach History and exceptional children.
PH: What brought you to Durham?
BG: What brought me to Durham was the chance to be in a very diverse school and bring representation to the Latino students. Seeing someone like a teacher and being able to relate culturally means a ton to a young person.
PH: How do you or your family celebrate your heritage?
BG: My family has never celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, but I try to incorporate it into my lessons during the month in my classes.
PH: What elements of Hispanic heritage do you see in Durham?
BG: In Durham I see people showing their Latino pride with flags of their country in their car. I always have a Puerto Rican flag in my car so when other Latinos see it they know I’m also Latino.
PH: Have you noticed a change in the Latino population since you’ve moved to Durham?
BG: The changes I’ve seen in Durham are unreal. Everywhere you go you can hear people speaking Spanish, and I notice it in the hallways at school with so many Spanish-speaking kids.
PH: How does your heritage influence your teaching?
BG: I proudly display Puerto Rican flags in my room. I think for my Latino kids I might be the first or second Latino teacher they have ever had so I want them to see Latinos represented in the teaching world. I love discussing foods from different Latino cultures and having the kids explain it so kids that aren’t Latino have a better understanding of who their peers are.
