“What I enjoy most about my work is building relationships with students and collaborating with colleagues to support them..”
Meet Ms. Lisa Tiexiera, a School Adjustment Counselor at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech. After studying social work in 2014 at Northeastern University, she knew she wanted to work at a vocational school. She knew she had to apply after seeing a position open at GNBVT. Now that Ms. Tiexiera is a part of the school body, she not only enjoys working to help and support students but also building relationships with them and creating a safe, welcoming environment while collaborating with colleagues. Her goal is to create a safe space for students to go to when they need someone’s kind ear or guidance. Ms. Tiexiera hopes to leave an impact where students say “She always listens and makes time for me when I need support.” She makes a difference not only in the school, but also in the community and even the world by serving others, and intends to continue to do so. Being involved in the school beyond academics is important. She is currently a co-advisor of the newly formed Spirit Club and a member of the DEI Advisory Committee.
Over the summer, Ms. Tiexiera took a class on entrepreneurship. “My instructor was so great! After listening to his story, about how he and his family had to leave his country, Guatemala, that he loved so much, and make a life for himself in the 2 short years he has been in the United States. He was able to start a business and teach others how to go from an idea to launching a business.” This experience inspired her dream to open an online business in the future. Her dream occupation is to grow her side hustle, to where she can support herself, work from home, and live someplace warmer than New England. Working from home is an enjoyable experience that she got a taste of during the Covid-19 pandemic.
When embracing this dream, Ms. Tiexiera is most excited about getting the flexibility to travel. Traveling is a major interest of hers and hopes to travel to Vietnam someday to experience all the things she’s heard to love about the country, including a delicious dish of her favorite food, Pho, a Vietnamese soup. One place she has traveled to recently was Enfield, Maine, which is a tradition she and her husband hold every Thanksgiving. She also has an appreciation for good music and dancing, which is something most people overlook. With new students joining the high school journey, Ms. Tiexiera hopes they don’t overlook their opportunities and that they “begin the school year strong academically while embracing every exploratory moment with an open mind.”
Article and Picture by: Samantha Chase, Senior Media Technology