During the first month of the school year, Mrs. Beatriz Jimenez stepped in to teach Mrs. Nancy Beale’s classes.  

Jimenez  is now a substitute after retiring during the Covid season as a full-time teacher. Last school year when another Spanish teacher, Mrs. Damare, was out, Mrs. Jimenez also stepped in as her substitute. For this reason, she was asked again if she would like to come back this year to teach for three weeks in place of Mrs. Beale, and she said yes.

Mrs. Beale teaches two sections of Spanish 3 and three sections of Spanish 2 Honors which means that Mrs. Jimenez was back on the schedule as a full-time teacher.

“For me (it) was an honor because I’ve known her since she was teaching at TFS (The Franciscan School) and I used to look forward to coming to see what the high school program was like,” she continues saying, “She was the head of the department then (and) she is an excellent teacher, so I’m so glad you know, to help out.”

Throughout the time she was a substitute teacher, she had to sacrifice the amount of free time she had for her volunteer work. 

“I am now retired, I didn’t want to retire, but Covid retired me,” she said. “That was back in 2020, so it was very very sad for me. I cried for months,” she continued saying, “I love being at school, so I’m just very glad I can help out here when they need me.”

Mrs. Jimenez says she will always be willing to help at Gibbons. 

“Oh of course, of course, if you need me, I’m right here,” said Mrs. Jimenez.

“I did not change my lesson plans at all because Profe. Jimenez is an experienced, excellent teacher, and she did everything I asked her to do beautifully,” said Mrs. Beale. 

While being away, Mrs. Beale worried about her return. 

“I didn’t know my students. I didn’t know their names, and I returned on Sept. 23 and by now, I would know a little bit about each student, and I hated not knowing my students,” she said.   “I’m just so happy to be back! I really am. I for years have felt called by God that this has been my ministry. I missed it when I was home.”

Thank you Mrs. Jimenez and welcome back Mrs. Beale!