The Great Gallegos

By Lukas Ponte, Video Editor

LUKAS PONTE/The Shamrock

Jose Gallegos started teaching at Kennedy High in 1982, making 2020 his 38th year of teaching. In recent years, Gallegos has taught AP Spanish. Gallegos has seen many students in his day, and has even taught grandchildren of past students.

He has seen the campus, students, and community change in front of his eyes. To him, one thing remains the same: Kennedy’s drive for excellence. Students want to be at Kennedy, and the faculty is amazing as they are always pushing students to do their best.

“He’s always kind and helpful and constantly motivates us to do our best. When we struggle he helps us and when we improve and succeed, he recognizes and acknowledges our efforts,” senior Zenaira Cursetji said.

Gallegos would not change anything about his time here at Kennedy. Throughout the years, he has been to former students’ weddings and unfortunately to students’ funerals. The connection Gallegos has with his students is incredibly strong, some have even become family friends.

Gallegos never grows tired of teaching, waiting in anticipation every August for the new school year to start. He likes to see young teachers pursuing their dreams of teaching. In retrospect, Gallegos feels it has been a very nice ride, and he is looking forward to his future after teaching. He has retiree friends in which he has dinner with every several weeks to reminisce.

“Every time we finish our dinners, and our conversations, it always comes back to the wonderful time working here, in the community of Kennedy,” Gallegos said.

Gallegos’s career has made him such an influential part of the community. Hearing that he plans to retire is melancholic for some, but Gallegos will continue to leave his mark on campus in people's hearts, minds, and Spanish-speaking ability.