On a bright and early Monday morning, Otto Corzo makes his way to his office in the College and Career center. As he walks in the door, he can already sense the emails waiting for him. He responds to them quickly, as he is dedicated to leaving an impact on his students’ lives.
Corzo, the current junior class social worker, started at MCHS as a Spanish teacher in 2015, as well as a Spanish heritage teacher. For eight years, Corzo supported Bilingual students, English language learners, and students learning Spanish. Now, Corzo continues to support students in a new way in his current position.
“I advocate for students,” Corzo says. “I did that as a teacher, but I think I am doing that even more now, as a social worker because I do not have to teach. I do not have to write a lesson plan. I do not have to grade, so I can be a little more methodical and organize my thoughts and bring it to leadership.”
As a former teacher, current LASO advisor, and Junior social worker, it is crucial to Corzo’s personal values to make connections and leave an impact on students, by representing them and giving underrepresented communities a voice.
“I think he’s a teacher that really caters to each learner’s needs,” says Alexa Munoz, Corzo’s former student. “ He understands that everybody learns differently and he knows how to provide that to each individual.”
Due to prior experience in teaching, connecting and adapting to student’s needs has been prominent in Corzo’s career path. Being a junior social worker, adapting to student’s is something that Corzo does daily. Considering all grade levels require different types of support, Corzo is proficient at adapting to students’ needs.
”He will sit there and talk to you face to face and ask what you’re doing or what you like or even how you’re feeling. He’s an amazing human being and really cares from the heart,” said Munoz.
After a long Monday, Corzo’s mind is scattered after an entire school day of interacting with students, and having dozens of different interactions. Despite feeling flustered, he can not help but remember how meaningful his work is to himself and others. With a smile plastered on his face, Corzo leaves the building, grateful to be able to continue to support MCHS students.
