Posted Dec. 18, 2024 — Growing up in Alief, Alexander “Alex” Javier Hernandez always enjoyed school. In the gifted and talented program at Kennedy Elementary, he recalls his teacher Justin Burris helping him discover a love for science and math through videos, puppet shows and plays, rather than boring worksheets.

“Those are some of my most cherished elementary school memories,” Hernandez said.

The oldest son of Salvadoran parents, Hernandez knew he wanted to be a Coog.

Accepted into his “dream school,” he started at the University of Houston as a kinesiology major in 2019, happy to be close to home. But quickly, his goal of graduating felt out of reach. Amid the pandemic, he said, family troubles meant he had to help support his two younger sisters.

“I found myself in a dark place,” Hernandez said. “I had to step into a father figure role much sooner than expected, and the pressure of finishing school quickly, along with financial stress, caused me to struggle academically.”

By his sophomore year, his grade point average dropped to 0.9, he said — the equivalent of an “F.”

“Failing wasn’t something I was used to, and it made me feel inadequate — like a failure,” Hernandez said. “I knew I needed to rediscover my sense of purpose.”

A friend suggested a tutoring job, and Hernandez took a chance, agreeing to drive 45 minutes from home to mentor fifth-graders at B.C. Elmore Elementary in the Houston Independent School District. Most of the students were newcomers from Central America, while the teacher, Ms. Warren, spoke only English.

“I became the bridge for those kids,” said Hernandez, who’s bilingual in English and Spanish. “The love, support and care I received from the teacher and students gave me the purpose I had been missing, and I fell in love with this kind of work.”

Hernandez decided he wanted to be a teacher. He returned to Kennedy Elementary as a mentor and teaching assistant to gain practical experience. However, his grades remained too low to meet the state requirements to enter a teacher education program.

A familiar face

As luck would have it, Hernandez bumped into Burris, his former elementary school teacher, who now works as a professor at the UH College of Education. Burris was teaching a group of student-teachers at Kennedy and recognized Hernandez in the library, his face familiar more than a decade later.

“Dr. Burris listened to my concerns, gave me actionable steps to get on track and encouraged me to transfer into the College of Education,” Hernandez said.

In December 2022, Hernandez met the requirements to major in teaching and learning.

“Alex really put in the work to raise his GPA,” Burris said. “I continued to follow up with him until he was ready to enroll in the College of Education and was elated to write his letter of recommendation for admittance into the program.”

Hernandez participated in the Community Teacher Equity Development program, called CTED, which collaborates with schools to help paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, other staff and community members become certified teachers.

Hernandez did his student-teaching internship at Kennedy, and Burris was the assigned faculty mentor.

“As my student teaching supervisor, Dr. Burris created a safe space where I felt comfortable asking questions,” Hernandez said. “Every time he visited, I could see tangible improvements in my work based on his advice and feedback. I am so grateful that life brought us back together.”

‘Be the best you can be’

Refocused, Hernandez raised his final GPA to a 3.22, above a B, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the summer of 2024. He started a full-time job as an associate teacher at Kennedy in August and returned to UH on December 13 to cross the stage at fall commencement. He donned a cap he had decorated red with the words, “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

“I feel like Alex’s life experiences have led him to this moment,” Burris said. “One big idea we teach our teacher candidates is that everyone can grow and learn, and Alex exemplifies this in his classroom. He is so patient with his students; they adore him.”

Hernandez started a tradition to celebrate his second-graders weekly, giving them notes of encouragement written by community members. The students sit in a circle on the floor and read the messages. “I believe in you!” said one. “Be the best you can be,” said another, adorned with a red heart.

“Returning to my old school and serving the community I’ve called home for most of my life has been one of my greatest honors,” said Hernandez, who will reach his dream of being a certified teacher after passing one more state exam.

Burris said he hopes Hernandez motivates others to pursue a teaching career — their reunion proving the lifelong impact a teacher can have on a student and vice versa.

“I feel honored I can see a student I taught in elementary school grow to an adult who persevered to accomplish their goals,” Burris said. “It’s a testament to Alex and his family. I hope he inspires others to become a teacher with his passion and enthusiasm. He definitely inspires me.”

—By Ericka Mellon

—Photos courtesy of Alex Hernandez and Justin Burris