Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School is pleased to announce the appointment of Jesús Urdiales to the position of Executive Director for the 2023-24 school year. A dedicated educator from a long line of teachers and principals, Jesús Urdiales brings a wealth of experience in the world of charter schools to Arco Iris, most recently serving as principal of a charter school in Southern California. Recognized by colleagues for his inspiring leadership, we know he will be a wonderful fit for our tuition-free charter school. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Urdiales and get to know a little more about him, in his own words, below.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I come from a long line of educators. My grandfather was an educator in Mexico until he passed away - teaching for more than 50 years. He dedicated his life to serving others. My mother is also a teacher, and retired from this wonderful field not too long ago. My sister was a classroom teacher and a school principal, also. To a certain degree, the calling to teach is in my blood, as it has shown up in my life consistently. While being under my parents’ care, I vividly remember my mother preparing her lesson plans for the week, surrounded by documents and books at our kitchen table. My sister and I would regularly sit next to her, role-playing being teachers ourselves - pretending to grading papers. While I didn’t know with enough clarity at that age I would be following in my family's footsteps, I believe that by being enveloped in a household of educators, teaching became second nature to me. These experiences shaped how I wanted to show up in the world from a very young age.
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
I have so many fond memories of my time at school and my teachers, especially my elementary school teachers. What I remember the most is my teachers’ remarkable gift of knowing exactly how to meet my academic needs. Even more so, my social and emotional ones. This last item was of extreme importance, as I was a very energetic child. In elementary school, I would say a teacher who positively impacted me was Ms. Yolanda. She customized my days at school, providing me with supervised brain and body breaks in our auditorium (a made-up stage). This allowed me to release my energy in joyful and intentional ways, while utilizing my creative side. Ms. Yolanda was intentional and resourceful at meeting my social and emotional needs while at school. I can only attempt to mirror these fantastic educators who shaped my life.
How does the Arco Iris' mission and vision align with your personal values?
As a first generation immigrant to this country, I believe in the power of multicultural education in inclusive communities. Diversity for me is generating opportunities for multiple perspectives to be heard, seen, and included. Creating opportunities founded in equity in multicultural settings has been an essential component in my trajectory as an educator and human being. All of these facets are aligned with Arco Iris’ mission and vision and I’m excited to be a part of this community and continue our growth together.
What do you love most about your role at Arco Iris?
I have an incredible opportunity to continue sharing my expertise in dual language practices, while ensuring that the unique needs of each member of our community are met. I thrive in settings where there are opportunities to continue exploring and re-imagining a holistic educational approach. Bringing joyful experiences that allow for a sense of belonging is also an aspect I believe is at the heart of my role as a school leader. These are some of the things that excite me while preparing to join this wonderful community.
What else would you like us to know?
On a personal level, here are some things that I enjoy, in no particular order: putting together music playlists, collecting records (LPs/vinyls), art in all its forms, long walks, exercise, coffee, reading. The list is endless; but, I would say at the core of them is being able to explore my creative side as well as movement. On a professional level, my commitment is to social justice and equity.
Thank you, Jesús! We’re excited to work with you at Arco Iris and to see what the new school year will bring. There’s still time to join our tuition-free Spanish immersion school–we’re enrolling for 2023-24.
About Arco Iris
Arco Iris Spanish Immersion is a small tuition-free public charter school providing a rich, immersive Spanish language experience and robust academics in a true multicultural setting. Centrally located off 217, between SW Portland and Tigard, we serve K-5 students in the greater Beaverton area to become bilingual and biliterate leaders of the future. Come see why we’ve earned the title Oregon’s #1 charter school. We’re enrolling for Fall 2023-24.