Hedda Falcon admits that she is “very” shy.
In fact, when she initially learned that she was named Monsignor Pace High’s Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016, the Cuba-born woman was “embarrassed.”
“My first reaction was shocking and very embarrassing because I am very shy,” said the computer lead teacher for the school’s STEM Academy program. “I don’t like being the center of attention.”
But when the accolade finally sank in, she was humbled and honored to be the teacher of the year for a school she has called home for 12 years.
“I was very honored and it was a big deal for me,” she said. “It was very humbling and an honor that sunk into my soul.”
Falcon tackles many duties as a teacher, including operating the new STEM Academy program, where students can learn more about science, (biology, chemistry and coding), technology, engineering and mathematics.
Falcon said her goal is to expose her students to as much information as possible involving real work and issues to help enhance their skills and knowledge that would expand beyond the classroom.
She said she has seen little miracles happen in her classroom.
Falcon said some students struggled with the course and felt dejected and alienated themselves from the rest of their peers.
“They would come into my classroom and won’t talk,” she said. “They go and sit in the corner.”
Falcon’s added dimension is helping those students with learning disabilities to find their niche and give them confidence in their abilities to build a path for success.
And it worked.
Some students would rather visit the computer lab during after school hours instead of playing sports.
She said the pupils discovered their potential by interacting with their peers in the computer lab and Pace’s Robotic Club, where they compete in groups by creating some of the best technology science projects in the program.
“One student built a gadget using a phone charger from a video game,” she said. “They are just not normally things kids do. They create video games, where they learn to socialize with each other.”
During the school’s inaugural STEM Boot Camp in April, middle-school students raced the K’NEX cars that they build as part of the engineering workshop at Pace.
"Kids love to be in the lab creating things," Falcon said.
But the fun ends when students must put their minds to the test during the Hour of Code with Microsoft, a course that hopes to empower the next generation of career-oriented people who are seeking a competitive job market.
“The computer programming is the hardest one and it’s not fun at all,” Falcon said. “The students must think critically, and some are so successful at it that they go on to college and become doctors.”
Falcon never thought about teaching after she graduated from Florida International University with a degree in communications and a minor in visual arts.
She wanted to pursue an art career but her parents deterred her because she wouldn’t make any money.
So instead, Falcon worked in the advertising industry for 10 years.
But the heavy work load and traveling took a toll on her.
“I never had the summer off where I can spend time with kids,” she said. “Then, someone mentioned to me about being a teacher.”
She said the transition at first was nerve-wrecking.
“The last thing I wanted to do was teach,” she said. “I had no idea how to handle teenagers. But building in the curriculum for teaching, I knew my business experience in advertising would help me. Then it came natural, and the students can tell I am interested in teaching them. They know I have their best interest at heart.”
Falcon always goes beyond the extra mile for her school, colleges and students.
“I am a perfectionist, I take on more than anyone can handle,” she said. “It’s my nature, I can’t say no. I am always helping those who ask for my help.”