Hempstead ISD

Hempstead ISD Director of Bilingual & ESL, Margarita Paramore, has always been passionate about helping students, especially those who had to overcome language barriers. That's why she pursued a career in education. Now she is determined to make a difference in the lives of bilingual and ESL students.

Her dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. She was nominated for the Superintendent's Higher Heights Award, which recognizes students, teachers, staff, and community members who are going above and beyond to make a positive impact on Hempstead ISD students and the community.

When Paramore found out she had been selected as the February Higher Heights award recipient, she was overjoyed.

"I'm honored to be recognized for the work that I do," she said. "It means a lot to me to know that my colleagues appreciate the efforts I make to help our bilingual students and families feel valued and included."

The nominator explained, "Maggy has a special talent for building relationships with her students, their families, and her colleagues. She's always willing to lend a helping hand and her positive attitude is contagious."

Her dedication to her students goes beyond the classroom. She believes that creating a sense of belonging and acceptance through language and culture is essential to the well-being of her students. That's why she works tirelessly to preserve the language and culture of her students and their families. She has worked in education for 15 years and her goal has always been to work somewhere where she could help to create positive change.

“I believe that a strong sense of belonging through culture, language, and acceptance can help our student's well-being," she said. "Language and culture are a big part of who we are, and we should honor and respect that."

Paramore remains positive and motivated even when the work gets challenging. She believes that having goals and a glass-half-full mentality is the key to staying focused and excited about the work. As for what the future holds, she is excited about the new programs her department is launching for bilingual and ESL students.

"We're definitely going to Higher Heights by taking our Emergent Bilinguals to the top and I can't wait to see what the future holds for our students and our community."

Margarita Paramore is an example of what it means to be a dedicated and compassionate educator. Her passion for helping bilingual students and families feel heard and valued is an inspiration to her colleagues and the Hempstead ISD community.