On Step. 25, 2024, Cardozo welcomed a new assistant principal to the school, Ms. Lidia Jaramillo. Ms. Jaramillo is the new Assistant Principal of ENL or English as a New Language.
While Ms. Jaramillo is new to the cabinet, this isn’t her first rodeo at Cardozo High School, as she is an alumnus from the Class of 1992. Being an alumnus, Ms. Jaramillo shared she wants to give back to our school and make sure the students have just as great of an experience as she did.
Working in education for the past 15 years, Ms. Jaramillo has made it her mission to help kids, no matter their ages. She began working in Charter schools before moving to the Department of Education. In addition, she teaches in a college at the GED-level to help adults learn English.
Now that Ms. Jaramillo is “back home” in her own high school, she shared, “People have been so welcoming, I’m back home. I even got surprised with a welcome home sign and pictures of my yearbook.” This warm welcome, she said, is heartwarming and “wonderful.”
Ms. Jaramillo also shared that she has plans to help Cardozo students and families get everything that they need to be successful in high school.
“Making sure that they have their resources that we provide in the school to those needs,” she shared. “And if they don’t have those, I can, we can point them to outside resources within the community…That’s my number one priority.”
However, that isn’t her only priority as she wants to do so much more for the students of Cardozo.
Since beginning her time at Cardozo, she has been listening to students and teachers alike, and, she has learned a couple things. “So, one of the things that has been mentioned before is to offer an AP Korean class that gives them four total credits of Korean. That’s something that I’m looking into,” Ms. Jaramillo explained.
Additionally, she said, “Also I would like to see the opportunity of bringing the Seal of Biliteracy.” This seal is an award given to high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages.
“So, students, when they graduate in high school they’re able to have that seal on their diploma. Making them able to differentiate and show that they are. That they have their cultures,” she reflected. This would be helpful to students, as it gives them a chance to earn college credits for this, and shows employers that they have more skills than meets the eye.
As an immigrant herself, Ms. Jaramillo really wants to help those that connect with their cultures, to make sure that they are valued and seen for their dedication towards their languages.
Ms. Jaramillo was only a teenager when she came to America, not understanding a word of English when she entered the 11th grade. But, she looks back on how far she has come and she wants to help those to have better opportunities and succeed at Cardozo just like she did.
Overall, Ms. Jaramillo shared that she considers Cardozo to be her “home” and she is so excited to be back. So, make sure to give her a warm welcome when you see her in the hallway and don’t forget to say hello!
