GALLUP HIGH’S Aljunnette Zaspa inspires students in math
By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
Each month of the school year, the Sun recognizes a local teacher for his or her determination to help students go above and beyond. Anyone can nominate a teacher by emailing the managing editor at molly@gallupsunweekly.com and providing the teacher’s name, where they teach, and why they should be selected as that month’s winner.
September’s honor went to Aljunnette Zaspa, a math teacher at Gallup High School.
Although Zaspa is in the middle of her fourth year at Gallup High, she has been teaching math for 11 years. Before arriving in New Mexico, she taught in her home country of the Philippines. Today, she participates in the J-1 Visa program, an initiative that invites primary and secondary teachers to work in the U.S. for up to five years. Once educators complete the program, they return to the Philippines to share their insights about the American education system with their local communities.
Her decision to teach abroad stems directly from her family.
Zaspa’s parents encouraged her to take the leap and explore the world beyond her home country.
Furthermore, her family inspired her career choice, as she grew up watching her mother and grandmother lead classrooms in the Philippines. Observing them over the years sparked her passion for education, though she quickly realized she preferred teaching older students.
“I don’t think I have the patience for the younger ones,” she joked.
When it comes to math specifically, her inspiration came from an unexpected source: her own initial struggles with the subject. After failing freshman math in high school, she resolved to master it.
“I told myself, ‘I need to learn this.’ I didn’t want to fail myself,” she said. “I learned to love [math].”
Now, as an educator, she strives to make the subject accessible.
Her favorite moment in the classroom happens when a student experiences an “a-ha” moment and finally grasps a difficult concept. To help students reach those breakthroughs, she frequently integrates real-world examples from their daily lives into her lessons.
In addition to her classroom duties, Zaspa recently embraced a new leadership role in her fourth year at Gallup High by becoming the math department head. Principal Jack McFarland highlighted her immediate impact in the position, noting how effectively she guides her colleagues.
“She’s really good at looking at the data and helping other teachers modify instruction based off of data,” McFarland said.
He also praised her overall work ethic and classroom management.
“She’s able to work really well in different places,” he said. “She’s a really good, strong classroom teacher. She does an excellent job working with students and maintaining a positive learning environment.”
Reflecting on her journey, Zaspa encourages new teachers—whether moving abroad or starting locally—to step outside their comfort zones, explore new cultures, and embrace fresh opportunities.
“Take the chance. Take the leap of faith,” she said
To nominate a teacher for the Teacher of the Month award, email molly@gallupsunweekly.com and provide the name of the nominated teacher, what school they teach at, what grade or course they teach, and explain why they deserve the award.
