Rafael Mercado is a third-grade bilingual teacher who has served for 10 years at Urban Park Elementary in southeast Dallas. A master reading teacher who speaks three languages, Mercado says effective teaching requires that teachers first get to know their students.
“To improve classroom effectiveness, it is imperative to get to know the students. It is important to know not only their academic weaknesses and needs, but also their hobbies, interests, dreams, and goals. By knowing what their academic deficiencies and needs are, the teacher can better meet the needs of the students by differentiating instruction.”
Colleague Michael Sarellano describes Mercado as a generous mentor. “An aspect that I appreciate about Mr. Mercado is his willingness to help new teachers. He helped me and gave me many effective pointers when I first entered the teaching profession eight years ago. I still apply and use most of the suggestions and pointers Mr. Mercado gave me back then. Without them, I wouldn’t have been the successful teacher I am today.”
