Judith Villar Lopez

Growing up in Austin, Judith Villar Lopez ('23) always knew she wanted to work with children. As a student whose first language was not English, she remembers the educators who helped her feel welcomed, supported, and capable of achieving her goals.

"I had really great teachers: Mrs. May, Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Lamers, and more. Although English wasn't my first language. My teachers have just always been so welcoming, so supportive, and just have been really there for me. By high school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher due to the meaningful impact I had from my elementary teachers."

After graduating from Austin High School in 2021, Judith enrolled at Riverland Community College. Through PSEO courses and the Austin Assurance Scholarship, she was able to continue her education without the burden of tuition costs.

"Thanks to the Austin Assurance Scholarship, I was able to attend Riverland for the two years that I needed to get my associate degree for free," she says. "That definitely helped me because I was able to focus on my studies without having that financial burden."

At Riverland, Judith found faculty and staff like Sue Grove and Susan Hansen who encouraged her to get involved and challenge herself. Through Phi Theta Kappa, she stepped into leadership roles and even served as a commencement speaker.  "Getting involved on campus opens up so many opportunities. I discovered I was capable of more than I knew and got out of my comfort zone."

Riverland also helped her navigate unexpected challenges. When she needed emergency dental work during college, advisors connected her with emergency support that allowed her to stay focused on school instead of medical debt.

After earning her associate degree, Judith transferred to Winona State University and completed her bachelor's degree in education. Throughout her college journey, she always planned to return home.

"Everyone comes from different backgrounds, and my experiences have inspired me to give back to the community” she says. “I hope to make the same positive difference in my students lives that my teachers made in mine”.

Today, Judith teaches first grade in Austin Public Schools. In a full-circle moment, she completed part of her student teaching with her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Watkins.

Her experience during student teaching reinforced the importance of helping students feel seen and understood to be able to learn. “I would have students ask me if I spoke Spanish and when I’d confirmed, they smiled happily.” After meeting a student who spoke Portuguese and rarely interacted with others, Judith drew on the Portuguese she had learned from friends at Riverland.

"When I’d hold short conversations with students in their language, they open up more to me. We build stronger bonds. It helped me understand that for some students having a teacher that shares their background really matters and motivates them in a way."

This fall, Judith will begin her second-year teaching first graders in Austin. “I enjoy building meaningful connections with my students and the formation of our classroom family. Students need to feel welcome and safe for learning to take place. Some students have never had a teacher with Mexican heritage or who spoke Spanish. It means something to students when I can say, "I was just like you.' I was learning English as I went."

And above all, Judith wants her students to know:

"You are loved and special! My dream was to become a teacher—and here I am.  You can do it too.  Everything is possible.  Believe in the power of yet!"