Faith Guides Nativity School Spanish Teacher

By Henrietta Gomes
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 3/22/07)

Quickly alternating from Spanish to English, Olga Alfaro engages her class in conversation and encourages them to speak in Spanish. As an incentive to read or answer questions, Alfaro, Spanish teacher at Nativity School in Burke, passes out cookies. The students, however, genuinely seem eager to participate. Constantly moving about in her classroom, the wide-eyed teacher has the attention of all her students and her excitement seems to rub off on them. Although the native of Venezuela enjoys teaching her mother tongue, it is her passion and deep love for her Catholic faith which makes teaching worthwhile, she said.
“I can’t believe I get paid to do what I do,” said the lifelong Catholic, who has been at the school for five years. The religious aspect of the school is “the biggest joy,” said Alfaro, calling it the “key success of the school.” Although her students are excelling in the Spanish language, Alfaro said that her lesson plans often extend beyond academics. She always finds a way to incorporate Christ whenever possible. “It’s part of who I am,” said Alfaro, who sometimes assigns her students to open their Bibles and memorize a Scripture passage or verse. “I jump at the opportunity to say something [faith related].” Faith matters is often the topic when her students practice conversing in Spanish, said Alfaro, who is also a homeroom teacher. Signs tacked up in her classroom read, “All things are possible with God,” and, “No act of kindness however small is wasted.”
In a school where Christian values come before the curriculum students appreciate the opportunity to explore their faith, Alfaro said. Chastity and modesty are among the popular topics, the teacher said, noting, “I try and be an example especially for the girls.”
Alfaro, the daughter of a diplomat, grew up in California, Louisiana and Florida before returning to Venezuela. She graduated from the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas and later moved to the Northern Virginia area, where she attended George Mason University for a master’s degree in education.
Initially starting at the school as a first-grade teacher’s assistant, Alfaro moved on to become the pre-kindergarten teacher, and when the new Spanish program was implemented she became the school’s Spanish teacher. She recounted the time she first started teaching at the school and Maria Kelly, principal, told her and all the new teachers that if they ever have a problem not to hesitate to lean on the school for help. The support from her principal and fellow staffers was made evident two years ago when Alfaro suffered from a brain aneurysm during a school day. It was a half-day and students had already left for the day, she explained.
It was a frightful time, but “the support that I’ve gotten has been a glimpse of heaven,” said Alfaro as tears welled up in her eyes. “I still have 300 cards and I still read 300 cards,” she said, regarding the cards she received while in the hospital for two weeks. Her faith sustained her during the trial she faced only a few months before her wedding. Remembering her time of uncertainty, Alfaro, who has a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, said, “I prayed incessantly.” Faculty and staff helped her ease back home. Many parents cooked meals for her and offered prayers. Although during her period of recuperation she was forced to rest and refrain from mountain biking and rock climbing, Alfaro tried to embrace her cross.
Upon returning to her classroom Alfaro’s students were anxious and had many questions. Sharing her experience was “an opportunity for me to witness and talk about God’s grace,” said the parishioner of Corpus Christi Mission Church in South Riding. Alfaro told them how she asked her father to cover up the television to avoid distraction from her prayers. The events she reported back to her students amazed and inspired them.
Now almost eight months pregnant with her first child, Alfaro is healthy. Nearly everyday she has been receiving baby gifts from the faculty at the school. Her colleagues have been secretly leaving knitted sweaters, pacifiers, boots and other baby items on her desk.
Alfaro, who begins each class with a prayer, said she finds it hard imagining doing anything else. “This is fun,” said Alfaro with a smile, “and I can handle it.”