Helping other students solve questions and understand concepts as a very student herself, Sra. Nila Ornelas’ first glimpse of teaching started at a young age. Her love for being an educator started among her peers in her elementary school in Mexico, when her fifth grade teacher would ask for her help in assisting other students who didn’t understand certain concepts.

Also attending competitions for informative speech and poetry, Sra. Ornelas furthered her interest in the field of Spanish language arts, and deepened her love for becoming a teacher. While she started off wanting to become a math teacher, Sra. Ornelas soon realized her true passion lay in teaching students Spanish and English. Bringing that love for helping students to the Westwood community, Sra. Ornelas is excited to explore multiple levels of Spanish, ranging from on-level Spanish 1 and 2, to AP/IB Spanish Language.

“As a little kid, 9-10 years old, [my teacher] trained me when I was going for competitions,” Sra. Ornelas said. “Whenever he needed support with the kids that weren’t understanding something, he would [ask] me ‘Did you get it? Can you explain it?’ I was supporting him with classroom management, with teaching, [and] tutoring some of my classmates.”

However, even before Sra. Ornelas was in fifth grade and under the guidance of her teacher, her father — Guillermo Tabasco — was instilling values in her that would one day lead her to become an educator. Her father encouraged her to strive to achieve her full potential and create a positive impact on the lives she came in contact with. He always told her that they had immigrated to America to contribute, and never take advantage of anything.

“When we [first] came to America, [my father] said ‘We didn’t come to take anything from anyone. We came here to contribute to this country and you’re going to be the best at whatever you do.’ That really shaped me,” Sra. Ornelas said. “As a matter of fact, a year or two ago, [I was] asked, ‘Close your eyes, [and] in teaching, rate yourself — one being the lowest and 10 being the best. Where do you rate yourself?’ I closed my eyes, and first, I was thinking, I’m gonna rate [myself] a nine. But then, I thought about my father, and everything he taught me and everything I’ve done.Then I said, no, I’m a 10, because when I teach, I give it my all. I work really hard, I’m very passionate, and I’m a 10.”

Sra. Ornelas has worked in many different schools and districts over the years, but started work as a teacher in Pflugerville, before moving to Georgetown after she had children. After that, she moved to teach in Leander, looking for a leadership opportunity and more income. Before coming to Westwood, she took a break from teaching, but ultimately found her way back to the subject she’s so passionate about.

“The running joke [in my family] is that [I’m] really [and] truly a central Texas teacher. [My sister said], you just need [to add] Round Rock [to your list of locations]. So [even though] I had retired, I said, ‘Wait, I need Round Rock in my list,’ so I am back,” Sra. Ornelas said. I just threw in my application and they called me. It was a great opportunity, so I accepted [it].”

“As soon as I started teaching, it was a natural thing, and then I discovered that it was a calling. The fact that I have been moving from district to district, my mother says that I am being used as a tool to inspire kids, and that I am planting seeds everywhere I go,” Sra. Ornelas said. “She always says, ‘you’re at Round Rock [ISD], because [the] Round Rock kids need you at this moment in your life. And so you are planting seeds.’ I promote a lot of ‘it doesn’t matter what you are, you can be the best [and that] this is a safe place.’ I want to motivate every kid — the really driven kids, and the kids that are not so driven, to create that path for themselves. ”

Outside of school, Sra. Ornelas continues to educate the world, never stopping in her responsibility and job as a teacher. She volunteers with a group called Las Comadres Para las Americas, who work with a dual language program in Austin ISD, as well as with Austin Community College (ACC), to help adults who didn’t finish their schooling.

“I went there because I have a talent,” Sra. Ornelas said. “I’ve done that to motivate them to keep studying. So I do volunteering [because] that kind of stuff really fills me, because I still get to be a teacher. I’m helping the community.”