At Escuela de Guadalupe, the impact of a dual-language, faith-based education doesn’t end at graduation—it builds a foundation that carries students forward into lives of service, purpose, and community. This year, we were proud to welcome back two remarkable alumnae, Alejandra Chavira and Adrianna Garcia, who are completing their teaching practicums at Escuela as part of their studies at Regis University. Both women have discovered a calling to become Denver teachers, and their journeys have led them right back to where it all began.
Alejandra Chavira: From First 8th Grade Graduating Class to Future Denver Teacher
Alejandra Chavira was part of Escuela’s very first graduating middle school class. Now a sophomore at Regis University and on track to graduate in 2027, Alejandra returned to Escuela to complete her practicum hours—and to reconnect with a school community that helped shape her.
“My favorite thing about Escuela growing up was the community,” Alejandra shared. “It felt like a family. Everyone was close, and the teachers really cared about you.”
One of her most vivid memories is Sister Susan Swain Service Day. “We all came together to give back, and it really taught me the importance of service early on,” she said.
Alejandra credits Escuela’s dual-language environment for giving her a deep appreciation for her culture and the ability to connect with others through language. After graduating from Escuela, she attended Arrupe Jesuit High School, where a key part of her journey came full circle.
“Through Arrupe’s corporate work study program, I was placed back at Escuela. That’s when I discovered I loved being in the classroom,” she explained. “I started off helping with little things, but I realized I was passionate about teaching.”
Currently, Alejandra enjoys working with elementary students and is gaining hands-on experience supporting them in their reading and writing.
“It’s so different to be on the other side of the classroom,” she laughed. “But I’m learning a lot about how to manage a classroom and connect with students.”
Her ultimate goal?
“I’d love to teach at a school like Escuela,” she said. “Private schools like this one build a real sense of community. I know how much that can mean to a child.”
Alejandra is proud to be part of the next generation of bilingual Denver teachers who understand the value of culturally responsive education.
Adrianna Garcia: A Journey of Resilience and Return
Adrianna Garcia graduated from Escuela in 2009—before it expanded beyond fifth grade—and still remembers it as the “best part of growing up.”
“I’m still best friends with my kindergarten best friend,” she said. “That kind of lifelong connection started at Escuela.”
After graduating from Arrupe Jesuit High School in 2019, Adrianna began studying at Regis University but paused her studies to raise her son and work from home. Now, she’s balancing a full-time paraprofessional role at Rocky Mountain Prep SMART while completing her dual licensure in elementary and special education through Regis’ online program.
“It’s a lot,” she admitted. “Online school is flexible, which is a huge help as a mom and full-time worker. But it also requires a lot of discipline. You have to be really self-motivated.”
Working as a paraprofessional helped Adrianna realize she was meant to be a teacher. “I love being in the classroom. Supporting students every day made me realize this is what I’m passionate about.”
Additionally, Adrianna believes Escuela offers a learning environment that can’t be replicated.
“Being in a place where students learn in two languages and feel seen culturally—it’s powerful. As a future teacher, I’m learning how to make my classroom feel like that too.”
Adrianna hopes to be part of the next wave of Denver teachers who bring empathy, experience, and heart into bilingual classrooms.
The Escuela Legacy Continues
Both Alejandra and Adrianna exemplify what it means to be part of the Escuela de Guadalupe family. They are smart, resilient, and deeply committed to giving back to the community that helped raise them. Their return to Escuela isn’t just a step in their educational journey—it’s a testament to the lasting impact of a nurturing, mission-driven school environment.
As they work toward their teaching degrees and prepare to graduate from Regis University in 2027, their stories remind us that the future of education in our city is bright—and that future Denver teachers are being shaped right here at Escuela.
