Daniel Guzman Teaches His Students to Take Pride in their Heritage at LBJ Elementary

Daniel Guzman, who teaches third graders at LBJ Elementary in the Edgewood Independent School District, grew up in this very same area where he has taught for 28 years. He worked to put himself through college. Then he realized that his calling was to return home and teach students in his neighborhood the secrets of success.

Seeing what he could do for his own community was what he knew he wanted to do. He wanted to be a role model for children who might not have a lot of role models in their lives. He works with students teaching bilingual education. He wants to preserve the heritage and self-esteem for each child, regardless of his or her background.

"I experienced a lot of poverty. I experienced low self-esteem. I tell them, ’Hey, if I made it, you can too.’ I think being a male teacher in the elementary school for 28 years is being a positive role model. You won't find many male teachers in the elementary schools, especially in first through third grades."

He teaches with humor and he brings something special to the classroom - understanding for his community and his students. He says teaching is a two-way street - he learns so much from his young students every day. Guzman truly believes that with adequate instruction, every child can learn. Daniel Guzman is there to give each student what he or she needs, and they're fortunate to have such an ally!