May 18, 2021
Spotlight on Latinx achievement: Jansel Hernandez, Master Trainer with Achieve- MN Center for Professional Development (MNCPD).
Jansel has worked in the Spanish immersion early childhood education industry since 2014. He started out as a teacher and then became a trainer. Jansel uses charisma and enthusiasm as a training mechanism to inspire and support teachers. He enjoys being able to work toward achieving an inclusive, intercultural environment in the early childhood education setting.
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Naci en República Dominicana y hace 6 años vivo en Minnesota. Todos mis estudios universitarios los realice en República Dominicana y Puerto Rico. Soy graduado de Filosofía y Humanidades, he realizado mi maestría en Gestión, Diseño y Dirección de Proyectos y mi doctorado que casi termino es en Educación con perspectiva intercultural. Me considero una persona que le encanta promover la alegría y un embajador de buenas causas. Ser Latino o Afrocaribeño para mi es un reto positivo ya que soy la representación de una cultura diversa que tiene mucho que mostrarle al mundo.
I was born in the Dominican Republic and have lived in Minnesota for the past 6 years. I completed my higher education studies in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. I graduated with a double major in Philosophy and Humanities and I compoleted my master's degree in Design, Direction, and Project Management. I am currently finishing my doctorate in Education with an intercultural perspective. I consider myself a person who loves to promote joy and see myself as an ambassador of good causes. Being Latino or Afro-Caribbean has been a challenge at times, but a positive one since I am the representation of a diverse culture that has a lot to show the world.
What inspired you to the work that you do?
Soy un “Visionary Leader” y esto va de la mano con inspirar a otros, promover nuevas iniciativas e intentar revolucionar el mundo. En caso específico la organización para la que trabajo que es Casa de Corazón, la cual es una franquicia de inmersión en español, que ha impactado de forma positiva a la comunidad Latina en el estado de Minnesota. Soy un creativo que le gusta tomar riesgos, por lo tanto mi trabajo me encanta porque me da la libertad de hablar mi idioma, pero a la vez aportar con mis ideas a la cultura Latina en el estado de Minnesota con proyectos innovadores que cambian la vida de muchas personas.
I am a Visionary Leader and this goes hand in hand with inspiring others, I like promoting new initiatives that evolutionize the world. For example, I work for an organization called Casa de Corazón, which is a Spanish immersion franchise that has positively impacted the Latino community in the state of Minnesota. I am a creative person who likes to take risks, therefore I love my job because it gives me the freedom to speak my language and at the same time, it is a space where I can contribute my own ideas that uplift our Latino culture in the state of Minnesota. I do this by sharing innovative projects that have a positive change in the lives of many people.
Why do you think the work of LatinoLEAD is important for our community now?
El trabajo de LatinoLEAD es importante para la comunidad porque esta organización da visibilidad al trabajo de muchos líderes Latinos que aportan al crecimiento y la diversidad en el estado de Minnesota. Es importante el papel de esta organización ya que actualmente existen desafíos referentes al tema racial en Minnesota y es importante que una organización resalte los aportes de las minorias raciales, y en este caso, los aportes de los Latinos. Este esfuerzo ayuda a que temas relacionados a la diversidad cultural puedan abordarse con libertad y sin prejuicios.
LatinoLEAD's work is important to the community because this organization gives visibility to the work of many Latino leaders who contribute to the growth and diversity in the state of Minnesota. The role of this organization is more important than ever as we currently face major challenges related to racial issues in Minnesota, and it is important that there’s an organization that highlights the contributions of racial minorities, and in this case, the contributions of Latinos. This organization’s effort helps elevate issues of cultural diversity in a way that’s freeing and without prejudice.
