For more than two decades, Ms. Carbajal has been a familiar face in the halls of Cardozo High School. Known for her caring nature, strong work ethic, and commitment to helping students succeed, she has made a lasting impact on generations of learners.
However, long before she became a teacher in New York, Ms. Carbajal’s story began thousands of miles away in Peru.
Growing up in Peru, Ms. Carbajal learned the values of hard work, honesty, and perseverance from an early age that shaped the kind of teacher she became. She describes herself using three simple but meaningful traits.
“I’m very honest. I have empathy, a lot of empathy,” she said. “And number three, I’m a hard worker.”
Life in Peru provided many opportunities, but Ms. Carbajal dreamed of creating an even brighter future for herself and her family. After becoming a mother, she made the difficult decision to leave her home country and move to the U.S. Traveling out of Panama with a newborn baby, she faced many challenges as she adjusted to a new culture, language, and way of life. Starting over in a new country was not easy, but she remained determined to build a successful future.
Despite the obstacles she encountered, Ms. Carbajal never gave up. Before entering the field of education, she attended San Luis Gonzaga University in Peru, where she earned a degree in Pharmacy and Biochemistry. She worked as a pharmacist for two to three years.
Later, when she arrived in New York, she joined the Department of Education. In 1991, her first position was as a paraprofessional at P.S. 46, an elementary school in Queens. During this time, she continued her education while working. The Department of Education helped pay for much of her master’s degree at Queens College, allowing her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.
Reflecting on those early years, Ms. Carbajal shared, “I love it. I love the kids.”
Her passion for working with students was clear from the beginning. Through hard work and determination, she earned her teaching requirements and eventually completed her student teaching at Cardozo High School. In 2000, she officially joined the Cardozo faculty.
At first, the large school felt intimidating. “I saw it like a big, big building,” she recalled. Coming from a smaller elementary school environment, working at Cardozo was an adjustment. However, with support from fellow teachers and her growing confidence, Cardozo quickly became her second home.
Over the years, Ms. Carbajal has taught a wide range of subjects, including chemistry, biology, geology, forensics, anatomy, health, and Spanish. Her diverse educational background allowed her to connect science concepts to real-world experiences. More importantly, she believes that teaching is about more than just academics.
“I think that the connection between the teacher and a student is important,” she explained. “Not only as a teacher, but somebody that can help them.” She often describes her role as being similar to a mother or counselor for students who need guidance and support.
One aspect of teaching that Ms. Carbajal values most is helping students who struggle to recognize their own potential. While many teachers focus on top-performing students, she takes pride in encouraging those who need an extra push.
“I focus more on those kids that are capable of showing their potential, but for some reason they don’t,” Ms. Carbajal said.
Outside of Cardozo, Ms. Carbajal continues to serve students through home instruction and by teaching in the Young Adult Borough Center (YABC) program at Flushing High School. She enjoys helping older students who are working hard to complete their education despite past setbacks.
As retirement approaches, Ms. Carbajal has many plans for the future. She hopes to spend more time in Peru, where she can travel more often, cares for animals, and works with animal shelters. She also enjoys gardening and looks forward to renovating her house.
Looking back on her life, Ms. Carbajal offers simple but powerful advice: “Be patient. Don’t struggle. Step by step, you’re going to get it.”
