Graduate Spotlight: Aguilar inspired by brother to pursue career in special education
Kim Chaudoin |
Marcos Aguilar completed his student teaching at Harris-Hillman School this fall and will begin his teaching career there in January.
Marcos Aguilar is on the brink of turning his lifelong passion into a meaningful career as an exceptional education teacher for elementary students at Harris-Hillman School in Nashville.
He will graduate from Lipscomb University with his Bachelor of Science degree in special education at fall commencement Dec. 14 and in January will begin his work with Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Aguilar’s journey to becoming a special education teacher is deeply personal. His younger brother, Jesse, was born with multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy and diabetes insipidus. Watching Jesse’s teachers at Harris-Hillman go above and beyond to provide education, care and emotional support inspired Aguilar to follow in their footsteps.
“Jesse is an amazing individual who is kind and loving. He has the warmest smile and eyes and loves to be around people. He has been spending time with family and friends since completing his special education diploma at Harris-Hillman,” shares Aguilar. “Jesse requires intensive all-day care that my family provides. We have seen the benefits of education in Jesse’s life and his efforts while attending Harris Hillman. As a family, we have come to understand my brother Jesse and his unique forms of communication, learning and participating. Still, we have also learned much from the amazing teachers who have been part of Jesse’s and our family’s lives.”
“My brother’s teachers weren’t just educators. They were counselors, therapists and advocates who cared deeply about their students and their families,” he continues. “They gave my parents peace of mind, knowing Jesse was safe and supported in the classroom. That experience showed me how impactful a great teacher can be, not just for the student but for the entire family.”
Aguilar with his brother and inspirtation, Jesse.
Aguilar’s role as Jesse’s brother and advocate has shaped his vision for his own teaching career. He saw firsthand how important it was to his parents that his brother had a caring, qualified educator in his classroom, teaching and implementing his Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to the best of their ability.
“This experience between my parents and my brother's exceptional education teachers made me understand the important role these individuals play in the lives of not only students with disabilities but also the families of those individuals,” he says. “I think what many people forget is that when there is a family member with a disability, it can affect the family unit as a whole, especially when the individual has serious disabilities that affect multiple areas.”
“I want to be a resource to students and their families as they were for my brother growing up, continues Aguilar. “I am truly inspired by the amazing person that my brother is and the strong will he has to be with us every day. My brother is truly a blessing in our lives and has taught us to look at life from a different angle and to embrace all that life has to offer.”
He says he is committed to creating a classroom where students with disabilities feel seen, supported and capable of achieving their goals.
A passion for special education
This fall Aguilar did his student teaching at Harris-Hillman. During his experience there and his studies at Lipscomb he discovered a love for the challenges and rewards of special education. He says he enjoys seeing student accomplishing their goals.
“It is amazing to see students' growth in a school year. I become emotional when I see the hard work that students have been putting in payoff,” shares Aguilar. “It can be easy to get lost in the negative at times, but it can be a beautiful sight to see when it all comes together. I enjoy the support and care I can provide students, allowing parents to have peace of mind while their kids are at school. I enjoy providing a meaningful, engaging education tailored to my students' needs. I find the challenge of meeting their unique needs exciting as I help them achieve their goals to the best of their ability.”
Aguilar works with a student at Harris-Hillman.
He is particularly driven by the opportunity to integrate technology into his classroom, empowering students with tools that make learning accessible and engaging.
“It’s amazing to see how advancements in technology allow students with disabilities to participate in ways that were previously unimaginable,” says Aguilar. “I enjoy the challenge of finding the best ways of integrating technology into the classroom, schedule, instruction and curriculum to meet the needs of students best. It can be challenging, but when students participate in instruction that is otherwise out of reach, it drives me to continue my job.”
Aguilar has already made an impression in the field. This fall, he was honored by the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance as an Aspiring Educator of Excellence. The recognition affirmed his commitment to the profession and his role as a trailblazer for more teachers of color entering special education.
“I was truly surprised by this honor. I had never been awarded anything for my profession until then, which was truly impactful,” he says. “I was inspired to continue to do great things in special education and work hard to establish myself in the classroom. I hope we continue to see more teachers of color enter the field of special education and to retain them. This award reminded me of how important our job is and made me feel that I made the right choice in what I chose to do as my profession. I hope I can continue to be a light in the lives of my students and families.
“I hope to inspire others to see the value of this profession and the difference we can make,” Aguilar continues. “We need more special education teachers, male teachers and teachers of color.”
Marcos and his family at Jesse's graduation ceremony.
Faith and community
Aguilar’s decision to attend Lipscomb was influenced by the university’s Christian values, strong teacher preparation program and the support provided through the Pioneros Scholars program.
Aguilar’s professors in the College of Education played a pivotal role in his preparation, equipping him with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the classroom. Lipscomb’s emphasis on holistic education further enriched his experience, offering a well-rounded approach to learning that Aguilar says will benefit his students.
Aguilar also credits Pioneros and Laura Delgado, Lipscomb Educator Scholars program director, with helping him navigate the challenges of higher education and find success.
“Pioneros has been instrumental in my journey,” says Aguilar. “Lipscomb provided me with a supportive community of friends, professors and mentors who have shaped both my career and personal growth.”
First-generation milestone
Born and raised in South Nashville, Aguilar is a first-generation college student and is following in the footsteps of his two older sisters who have completed degrees. His parents immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in the early 1990s and have worked hard for their children to have a different upbringing than their own, he says this milestone is a source of immense pride not only for him but for his entire family, who see his achievement as a fulfillment of their shared dreams.
“They have poured lots of love, time and effort into our education and have always prioritized knowledge as power. They have always emphasized how important it was to gain an education that would allow us to live our American dream while not forgetting our Salvadoran roots established here,” he shares. “Education has always been essential to my parents. They have always dreamed of us completing a college degree and beginning a less difficult life than the one my parents knew. Completing my degree in special education will be an accomplishment not only for me but for my family as well.”
— Photos courtesy of Marcos Aguilar