Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Sajche.
Hi Juan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I came to the United States from Guatemala speaking only Spanish and Quiché (a Mayan language). School was overwhelming at first and not because I wasn’t capable, but because I couldn’t communicate in English. I was placed in special education classes and didn’t really question it. At the time, I thought that was just where I belonged.
I went to high school in the mornings and worked long hours in the afternoons and nights. I learned English wherever I could, whether it be at work, in class, by making mistakes, and through moments that were embarrassing. Some people were patient and kind. Others weren’t. Those experiences were difficult, but they taught me resilience and helped me understand what it feels like to struggle quietly.
What changed everything were a few teachers who truly cared. They saw past my accent and my limited English and focused on what I could do. One math teacher in high school, in particular, reminded me that numbers are universal and refused to let language hold me back. That belief stayed with me. For the first time, I felt seen. Also in high school, Ms. Pantoja also believed in me and encouraged me to go to college when I wasn’t sure that path was meant for me. Later, in college, when I didn’t know what I wanted to do, Mimi Pollack, a college professor, noticed me helping another student and encouraged me to become a teacher. That moment helped me see myself differently. Today, we are still in touch, and I am deeply thankful to them. Thanks to good teachers like them, I am now a teacher.
I didn’t always know what I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted to give back what those teachers gave me belief, opportunity, and dignity. I attended Grossmont College, transferred to San Diego State University, and eventually became a teacher. While at SDSU, I volunteered as an interpreter at San Ysidro Health Center and as an outreach worker at the Center for Social Advocacy in El Cajon, where we fed homeless people downtown and assisted migrant farmworkers who were sometimes not paid for their work. Later, I even opened a school in Guatemala to help children access education who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity. Today, I continue to support those teachers through side work, helping ensure children have the resources and opportunities they deserve.
I teach with purpose. I work to create classrooms where students feel safe taking risks and being themselves. I am committed to supporting every student, because I believe everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and believed in. My journey taught me that success isn’t about where you start, but about who believes in you along the way and learning to believe in yourself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first arrived in the United States, I could communicate well in Spanish, but not in English. Because of that, I was placed in special education classes, even though I was capable of more. That experience affected my confidence and made me feel invisible at times.
Balancing high school with the responsibilities of supporting myself was another challenge. At a young age, I had to pay for rent, food, and other necessities while still going to school. It was exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes frustrating, trying to manage both work and studies. On top of that, there were moments when people even family members doubted me or assumed I couldn’t succeed because of my accent or mistakes in English.
These challenges taught me resilience, patience, and empathy. They gave me a deep understanding of what it feels like to struggle quietly, and they inspired me to give back to others facing obstacles. I’ve carried those lessons into my teaching, my volunteer work, and even in opening a school in Guatemala, reminding myself that the obstacles along the way don’t define you, but how you respond to them does.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a teacher, and my work is focused on creating engaging, inclusive classrooms where students feel safe to take risks, express themselves, and not be afraid of making mistakes. I support all of my students, helping them participate, think critically, and grow both academically and personally. I design lessons and activities that encourage creativity, collaboration, and confidence, while also nurturing students’ social and emotional development.
What I’m most proud of is seeing my students grow in confidence and knowing that I genuinely care about them. I strongly believe that students do not learn from teachers they do not like. What sets me apart is my personal experience: I have walked a path similar to some of the students I teach. I understand what it feels like to struggle with language barriers, work long hours at a young age, and overcome obstacles that might feel impossible. That perspective drives everything I do and allows me to connect with students in a meaningful, authentic way.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by the impact you have on others. For me, it’s getting an email from a former student letting me know they’re now in college, becoming teachers or doctors, or receiving a thank you letter from a current student expressing gratitude for the care and support I gave them. Those moments are priceless and that is at least for me changing the world, because every person is a world. They remind me that success isn’t about titles or money, but about making a real difference in someone’s life.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: SAJCHE JM
- Other: Email: jsajche@gmail.com
Image Credits
M. Duarte
