In tribute to the lasting impact New Roads has had on their lives and their views about education, several New Roads alumni have returned “home” and currently teach at New Roads.

Sofia Vergara

After graduating New Roads, Sofia went on to study at UC Berkeley before returning to New Roads High School in 2004 to teach Spanish.  Sofia became interested in teaching after leading a student-initiated class about Disabilities at Berkeley.  “I realized I liked teaching but wanted the freedom to teach beyond the actual subject matter”, says Sofia, “and I knew that’s what New Roads was all about.”

Sheila Martinez

Sheila had recently arrived in the United States from Honduras when she entered New Roads as a sixth-grader in 1995 – the year New Roads opened.  She was still learning English but recognized New Roads as a close and welcoming community.  “Regardless of whether you’re a student or a teacher here, you have the opportunity to express yourself and be yourself here.  So, of course I wanted to come ‘home’ when I decided to teach.”  Sheila has been teaching Spanish at the High School since 2008.

Jueun Hong

Jueun is a member of the class of 2001 and excelled as a student at New Roads and at UC Berkeley where she studied English and Education. After graduation, Jueun worked in the corporate world but gradually realized that her professional life did not align well with the core values and beliefs that were so much a part of her life at New Roads so she returned to her “home base” to teach in 2008.“When I found myself in the ‘real world’, I quickly realized that respect for diversity and differences weren’t things to be taken for granted. At New Roads I was spoiled with a rare environment of eclectic and eccentric personalities but upon leaving I felt the pressure of homogeneity; the pressure to assimilate and conform. I was once told that I was at my best when I was ‘fearless’. I am fearless with the support of my New Roads community. I am passionate about educating our youth to be fearless too.”