Embracing Change and Pursuing Passion: Nelly Garcia-Lopez’s Teaching Journey

A career in education is the result of passion meeting purpose. Nelly Garcia-Lopez knows this well. Currently teaching math at Watkins Mill High School in Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools system, Garcia-Lopez’s path to becoming an educator was anything but conventional. From Nicaragua to the U.S., from career in a business to making a difference in the classroom, Garcia-Lopez always felt destined to teach and help shape the lives of students. 

“I always had a little kind of curiosity [about teaching],” Garcia-Lopez said. “Then when I moved to the U.S., my aunt — who was a pre-K and kindergarten teacher for over 20 years — was about to retire, and again there was a little kind of calling.” 

A Teaching Dream 

Garcia-Lopez’s love for education began early, inspired by her experiences as a student in Nicaragua. As is the case for many future educators, one teacher in particular helped fuel her passion for learning. 

“I always enjoyed going to school, and I would be very upset if I got sick and had to miss school,” Garcia-Lopez shared. “I had this wonderful teacher — it was my Spanish teacher — and…she taught the class, she was passionate about it, [that] made you want to learn more. She was very kind, very thoughtful with us, and very knowledgeable. I think she was the first reason that I thought, ‘Oh, I want to be a teacher one day.’” 

However, Garcia-Lopez’s dream of becoming an educator didn’t come true immediately. First, she studied business and worked in other fields. Then, moving to the U.S. presented Garcia-Lopez with opportunities for change in more areas than just geographic location. 

A Leap of Faith 

“[Even when] I was a business major, I always had that calling of pursuing an education career, and I finally did that switch back in 2021.” 

After two years of putting her business background to use in Texas, Garcia-Lopez was given the chance to work in a Spanish immersion school. 

“It blew my mind!” she remembered. “I never enjoyed a job so much, to be honest.” 

While changing careers can be an intimidating experience, the immediate joys of teaching helped calm any apprehensions Garcia-Lopez had and justified her decision to switch professions. 

“Seeing the kids’ excitement and discovering [education] was very rewarding,” Garcia-Lopez said. “It was something I had never experienced in any other job.” 

Her Moreland Experience 

As Garcia-Lopez’s passion for teaching grew, so did her desire to further her education and professional growth. This led her to enroll in Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, a decision that would propel her career forward. 

“One thing I realized when I went through the TEACH-NOW program is that it’s never too late if you feel like [teaching] is what [you’re] passionate about,” Garcia-Lopez said. 

This sentiment ties back to a lesson that Garcia-Lopez’s parents shared with her when she was young: “If you do a job that you’re passionate about, you’re never going to feel like you’re working.” 

Garcia-Lopez credits the flexibility of TEACH-NOW — a 100% online program that can be completed in 9 months and pairs candidates with a global cohort of peers — as an important factor in allowing her to pursue teacher certification as she continued to work her full-time teaching job. 

“The teachers’ availability for consultation all the time is so good for [students],” Garcia-Lopez said, “and learning from [your cohort’s] experiences, too. 

The collaborative nature of the program — which is purposely designed to create a strong sense of community — provided valuable support for Garcia-Lopez and her cohort members, who have stayed in touch and are planning to meet in-person for the first time to celebrate together and reflect on their experience. 

“We are a very close-knit cohort,” Garcia-Lopez shared. “Having these other teachers who were teaching and doing this at the same time, and they had their own personal lives, that was so wonderful.” 

Embracing Technology and Continuous Learning 

Garcia-Lopez cites the emphasis on technology as one of her biggest takeaways from the TEACH-NOW program. Although she initially felt hesitant about using new technological tools, she felt that the program incorporated technology in a practical way that not only helped her in the moment, but helped inform how she could use new tools in her classroom. 

“I’m a little bit old-fashioned, so I wasn’t very tech-savvy at first,” Garcia-Lopez said with a smile, “It was so important for me to know about it and about all these very useful and helpful platforms, very creative stuff that you can use and incorporate to complement your teaching practices.” 

Garcia-Lopez’s commitment to continuous learning doesn’t stop at technology, either. She is already planning her next steps in her educational journey, with goals to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a PhD in mathematics. 

A Bright Future 

Garcia-Lopez’s story is testament to how fulfilling it can be to follow your heart and your passion. Her journey from the business world to the classroom, and her ongoing commitment to professional development, is a perfect example of the dedication that defines great educators. 

As she continues in her classroom teacher role at Watkins Mill High School, Garcia-Lopez is focused on her goals, including obtaining National Board Certification and deepening her expertise in mathematics. In the meantime, her focus is clear: “My motto as a teacher is that you always be kind and accepting with your students, as [the Moreland] teachers were with us. They were very flexible in that sense and put themselves in our shoes – and that’s how I need to be for my students, as well.” 

Take the Next Step in Your Teaching Journey 

Are you seeking a U.S. teaching license or looking to uplevel your teaching career with a master’s in education? Moreland’s fully accredited, 100% online programs can help you get there. Learn more at moreland.edu and complete your no-cost application in less than 15 minutes.