Meet Guillermo Gonzalez of East Los Ángeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Guillermo Gonzalez.

Hi Guillermo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into teaching started back in 1995, almost by accident. I was looking for a new path after my previous job and heard my alma mater, James A. Garfield High School, was hiring. I went to inquire, which led to an on-the-spot interview and a job offer from then Principal Maria Tostado and I’ve been here ever since.

I started as a history and science teacher, then health and math, coaching various sports, and serving as the athletic director and college advisor. Today, I’m honored to be the director of the mariachi program and a math teacher. My students and colleagues have truly been the biggest influence on me. The especially close bond I’ve formed with my mariachi students, through all our long hours of rehearsals and performances, has been a particularly meaningful part of my journey.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but those bumps along the way are what have truly shaped me as an educator. We’re always navigating new territory, whether it’s adapting to changing leadership, shifting school-wide guidelines, or the profound disruption of remote teaching during the pandemic. Trying to direct a mariachi ensemble when technology limited us to hearing only one musician at a time was incredibly frustrating, but we persevered, finding new ways to perform virtually.

Another significant struggle was the daunting task of rebuilding the mariachi program from scratch. The program had become non-existent; instruments and uniforms had vanished. We literally started with just a few instruments that I owned. I now have a class of over 45 students; some complete beginners and others who have been with me for four years. It’s a constant challenge to keep everyone engaged and growing in a single hour before school. These struggles have pushed me to be a more resilient and innovative teacher.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full time math teacher and also direct Garfield High School’s Mariachi program which consists of our Junior Varsity Ensemble Mariachi Los Alanitos, Varsity Ensemble Mariachi Los Alanos, and the nation’s only all female high school mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Las Mariposas “El vuelo de nuestra cultura.” As one of the lead teacher’s for the Global STEAM Academy, I also work with over 500 students and help connect them to university’s by finding summer programs where they can begin having experiences that will prepare them for college and beyond. We have been formulate partnerships with 30 colleges and universities across the United States that offer our students opportunities to participate in residential programs, where they can study leadership, law, engineering, business and medicine, free of charge. My students and their success makes me the most proud. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the impact teachers make can be life changing for our students. I am amazed at how many of my mariachi students have continued to play mariachi music in college by either joining existing programs at their school or by forming their own mariachi programs at schools like UC Merced, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley and Princeton University to name a few.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I can be found at Garfield most days of the week. I am here from 7am usually til about 6pm. My mariachi students are always willing and available to collaborate with others. That’s one of the beauties of music. We have been very fortunate to share the stage with some of the greats of the mariachi genre, like Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, but also with other legends like East LA’s very own Los Lobos. Donations are always welcome to support my students and program, whether its an instrument, monetary donation or by coming out and supporting us during one of our performances. ggonza22@lausd.net is the best way to reach me.

Pricing:

• Donations

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.garfieldhs.org
• Instagram: @ghs.mariachi @ghsmariposas
• Facebook: Mariachi Los Alanos

Image Credits
Guillermo Juarez Gonzalez