Meet Pioneer Principal Gloria Trejo
Gloria Trejo, principal, Pioneer Elementary School, West Chicago, West Chicago Elementary District 33
Age: 34
Family: Husband Julian and two daughters, Alexia, 6, and Alisa, 2
Grew up in: Joliet and currently live in Shorewood
Ultimate pet: NONE! I am DEATHLY afraid of ALL animals!
What is your education philosophy in one sentence? All children are good and we (parents, teachers and other adults) are responsible for how they are shaped!
Personal hero: My parents. They emmigrated from Mexico and left all their family to provide us (seven children) the best education possible that their hometown could not provide. They wanted us to have what they didn't have … an education!
How did you wind up in education: I had many inspiring teachers (Mrs. Tyree-Kline -- You will always inspire me!) that to this day I keep in touch with. I want to give the same positive influences to children that were given to me. I want to instill in children that they can do what they desire to in life despite any challenges they may have.
What is your dream vacation? I would love to go on vacation with my husband and daughters AND my six brothers and sisters and their families. And, of course, my parents! I would LOVE to go to ANY sandy white beach in Mexico where I can eat, eat and eat. This dream vacation would consist of NO CELL PHONES!
If you won the biggest lottery in history you'd … ensure that my children's, nieces' and nephews' college education is paid for! I would invest money to make more money to offer scholarships to needy individuals. After assisting others, I would spoil myself with a bigger house with many filled closets and purchase a nice big RV so that I could travel the U.S.!
What is your favorite reality show? I love "American Idol!"
Cubs or Sox? Both, I'm a Chicago fan overall!
If you could invite one literary character to dinner, who would you pick and why? Max from the book "Where the Wild Thing Are" by Maurice Sendak. Max was a mischievous little boy with a vivid imagination. He created his own world with many creatures and was the ruler of this self-created world. I would love to be part of Max's world AND have the imagination and creative mind that he has!
Musical guilty pleasures: Too many iTune downloads --Erasure, Depeche Mode, Ana Gabriel, Juan Gabriel, When in Rome, Pepe Aguilar and MORE!
Favorite book? Dick and Jane books.
Bungee jumping, rappelling or parachuting? None, I'm afraid of heights!
What's the most innovative program you've seen so far at school? The Dual Language Program at Gary School. Learning two languages allows students to think more globally so they will be ready for today's changing society.
Latest new "it" word you've heard from a student !Que Chido! Spanish translation: "How Cool!"
What lasting impression do you hope to leave?? That I believed, inspired and respected individuals in my life!
What's the worst influence on today's youth? TV and video games.
What makes today's students distinct? Unfortunately, students go through things that one may not experience in a lifetime! It seems as though there are more students coming from a single-parent home environment facing more challenges.
If you could change one thing about the world it would be … eliminate ALL religions. All the negativity that exists in today's society is due to religious beliefs: wars, hatred, racism. If the world believed in solely one religion, we would be working together in creating positive and innovative changes in the world.
If you could paint your office any color it would be … RED with pink polka dots! I would love the polka dots to consist of a picture of each of the student's faces. At work, I feel the most energetic since the students keep me on my toes so the color RED and a picture of the students would keep me going even more!