The teacher stands out as a man committed to education and activism.
Bernabé Robledo, currently in charge of CETAC Ajijic. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- For almost 30 years, Professor Bernabé Robledo has not only been in charge of educating young people in the classroom but also teaching them to be empathetic citizens, while being an activist for the land he lives on.
Bernabé was born in Ajijic. He is the son of farmers and attended basic education in the delegation, until high school, when he studied at the Center for Technological Studies in Continental Waters (CETAC 01) in Jocotepec. Later, he studied food engineering at the Mazatlán Technology, Sinaloa. He also earned a master’s degree from Ocotlán and a doctorate in Education.
After working in an industrial food production company, in 1996 he decided to become a teacher; his first position as a professor was at the Center for Technological Studies of the Sea (CETMAR) in Mazatlán.
In 1996 he joined the CETAC Jocotepec, then he became one of the first members of the Mario Molina Institute which studies sustainability, as well as having been a professor at the National College of Technical Professional Education (CONALEP) in Chapala.
One of his achievements which he speaks of as a father would speak of his prodigal child, is the CETAC Ajijic, an extension of the Jocotepec campus, which Robledo managed. He went to great lengths to acquire the property and to request donations to repair the school that was abandoned for at least 15 years, and has been working since 2019, and in his words, has been “shaped to meet the needs of the people of Ajijic.”
«There are many private schools in Ajijic, but none that are public that meet the vocational needs of the region. Ajijic is a town that has approximately 12,000 citizens, and has a tourist economy, which is why we thought training in businesses related to the settlement of foreigners and tourists is a perfect fit,» commented the professor.
In addition to continuing with the improvement of the campus, which he said could have the potential to be one of the most beautiful schools in Lakeside, one of his most important goals is to secure the campus in the campus where it is located, which was loaned to it by the 2018-2021 administration. He also spoke of the exponential growth that has taken place since the beginning, with 115 students and its first generation about to graduate.
Bernabé Robledo commented that his taste for teaching at the high school level arose for several reasons, one of them being how his life has been coupled to the needs that young people have at this age and that makes it easier for him to communicate with them, and to the nobility he finds in this age range.
«At this age, you are finishing shaping the citizens about to be sent to society. I have found satisfaction, especially in their nobility. For example, when we were fixing up the CETAC playground, one of the laziest youngsters helped and put all his effort into handling the concrete mixing equipment. He gave and gave, until when he finished, he fell exhausted to the ground. He was a 16 or 17 year old kid who decided to help, and thanks to him, as well as to the other youngsters, CETAC has made progress,” he said.
Professor Berna, as he is also known, not only says he is committed to education, but also to activism, which he has engaged in on multiple occasions with his students.
«I am a great admirer of Paulo Freire, educator of America, and I agree with his philosophy that the teacher by himself is already a social transformer. I don’t find any conflict between activism and teaching, I can’t conceive of one without the other. I get tired, but I don’t get angry, I don’t work for a salary, but for an ideal. If you don’t feel that way, it may not be your vocation,» he said firmly.
On the other hand, he has always advised his students to pursue cultural activities, since, his vision is that he seeks young people to realize culture and empathy, that they feel proud and love these teachings, adding that «we are rich in culture, we do not have to envy any other culture.»
Finally, he dedicated a few words to the future teachers: in this profession they are not going to get rich so it is something they must love, since it is a social work owed to the community.
Translated by Christalle Dalsted
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