Hopkins teaching in one of her many classrooms. Photo courtesy of English teacher Scott Nairne.
Kicking off the 2024-2025 San Luis Obispo High School year, there are a handful of new teachers joining this school. However, bilingual teacher Maria Hopkins has a unique teaching role for the school, working with many different teachers as a Spanish translator.
Expressions: How does being a teacher who teaches other subjects in Spanish compare to being a mainstream teacher?
Bilingual teacher Maria Hopkins: I’ve been a teacher for seventeen years and this is my first year not teaching science. However, I’ve worked with students from around the world for over half of my career in New York City and Afghanistan. So, for me language and culture are just as important as content, because we’re all humans trying to live our best, happiest lives.
Expressions: What made you want to teach?
Hopkins: I originally wanted to teach at the city college level, but I received a scholarship to attend NYU if I taught in NYC for two years. I eventually taught a summer in a city college and I missed working with youth so much that the next year I was back in the classroom. Also, I find working with young people inspiring and energizing because of your optimism and power to change the world.
Expressions: What are your favorite things about being a teacher at SLOHS?
Hopkins: I’ve taught in 8eightdifferent schools (K12 and universities) and SLOHS has been the most welcoming school that I’ve ever taught at and I really appreciate how much the teachers want to help students succeed to their fullest potential.
Expressions: Why did you choose to teach at SLOHS?
Hopkins: I moved to SLO a little over a year ago and originally taught at a local middle school outside of SLO. I really missed working with High School students and when I saw this position posted I thought it would be perfect for me. I previously taught students that recently arrived in the US at Oxnard High School and thought that the position at SLOHS would use many of my skills because I’m licensed to teach Biology, Chemistry, ELD, Spanish as a Foreign Language and Bilingual classes. I really wanted to be a part of my local community and I’m glad to be a part of the SLOHS community.
Expressions: What other teachers do you most enjoy working with?
Hopkins: Although I’ve been a teacher for 17 years, what I like best about being a teacher is that I’m always learning from other teachers and students.
