Las Cosas Que Me Hicieron
My name is Sandra Diaz and on behalf of Tonantzin Preschool, I would like to welcome you into our family. I was born in a small ranchito located in Michoacán, México, where I was fortunate enough to be one of the last generations to experience childhood in nature. In our backyard, my childhood was full of unsupervised creativity and exploration. I would spend hours making pastelitos de tierra and climbing our fruit trees. My entertainment consisted of observing the Sin Vergüenza plant open and close and the incredible organization of ants marching up and down the tree branches. En el rancho, after a rainy day, we would enjoy going to la presa to get our feet wet in the small river created by the overflowing rainwaters. My memory is printed with the earthy aroma that emanated from the pocito’s water while we poured it into la destiladera. We would spend hours outside making up games and singing songs that had entertained generation after generation. And when money was tight, we would turn to Mother Nature’s generosity to provide hours of fun hunting en el cerro hongos and nopalitos. Listening to la milpa, “the green sea” as my Dad would call it, while mi Ma made tortillas en el fogón was very common. In our home meaningful experiences mattered over material possessions and those experiences are the real seeds that nurtured Tonantzin Preschool and our educational perspective.
When I was 15 years old, like many families, we came to the United States looking for better opportunities. Although, my parents only finished 1st grade, they deeply believe that education is the only key that can open any door; they truly were my first teachers. As a recent immigrant I struggled to find my way in the city. I was very lucky to find great mentors throughout my life. This is one of the reasons I decided to become an educator; I wanted to give back to my community.
I have dedicated my life to exploring and implementing pedagogies such as Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori. In my studies I came to the conclusion that the core of these methodologies have been practiced by some of the most advanced civilizations throughout history. Native Americans, such as the Toltecs and the Q’eros had educational structures that catered to the whole child. It is my intention to awaken these teachings at Tonantzin. During my life I have been privileged enough to experience the beauty of our culture and the magnificence of its people. I have traveled to Machu Pichu as an adult and felt as proud as when I arrived to Janitzio for the first time as a child. I was able to understand the universal importance of language to get basic services while translating in Chiapas to patients whose only language was Mayan. I witnessed strong women in Ollantaytambo, Peru stand-up against police and fight for their right to water. I have listened to abuelitas bring their nietecitos to a profound sleep by singing ancestral melodies. I have listened to elders use medicinal plants, while shaking their rattle and healing the soul. And I have had the privilege of being alongside mi Ma Sofia while attending to customers’ en el puestito de ropa in Uriangato. These experiences made me realize that our ancestors were sages of significant knowledge, although time and history tried to erase it, is more relevant than ever.
When I became a teacher in the south side of Chicago, It was overwhelming to see that my Kindergartners were being asked to put their childhood aside to focus on academics only. Although, academics are important, they should be part of a comprehensive approach that includes other developmentally appropriate components. The Early Childhood years are the most crucial in the life of an individual, and putting aside children’s native curiosity or learning processes such as playing is a hindrance to their development. I am deeply rooted in the belief that students need a holistic education in order to succeed in and out of school.
These are the motivations to create a space like Tonantzin Preschool - a place where traditional meets progressive. Our program encompasses natural child learning initiatives while providing them with the tools necessary to create a strong foundation as they prepare for life.
I believe every human root is an important component to evolution, and our commitment is to embrace every child’s background and history.
From the Heart of Chicago,
Sandra Diaz
Credentials
B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, 2010
Minor in Latin American Studies
Northern Illinois University
M.Ed. in Early Childhood Administration, 2015
National Louis University
Study Abroad Program, Northern Illinois University, Summer 2008
Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Toledo, Spain
Pre-K to 12 Grade IL Certified Teacher
First Aid and CPR Certified
Translation Glossary
Recognitions
Kevin D. Knight Leadership Award, Northern Illinois University
Outstanding Woman Student Award, Northern Illinois University
Golden Apple Scholar, 2005
USHLI Scholarship/Internship, 2009
Hongos - Mushrooms
Nopalitos - Cactus
La Milpa,- Corn, Squash/Pumpkin, and Bean planted together- The Three Sisters
El Puestito de Ropa – Small Street Clothing Stand
La Destiladera – Water filter made out of rock
El Cerro –The Hill
Abuelitas – Grandmas
Nietecitos – Grandsons/Granddaughters
Ranchito - Small Rural Town
Pastelitos de Tierra – Mud Cakes
La Presa – Water Dam
Pocito – Waterhole
Address
2030 West Cullerton Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Contacts
(708) 427-2301
tonantzinpreschool@gmail.com
Testimonials