¡Mira! Señora spreads sunshine
Boerhave brings a bit of culture and positivity to Aitkin
By Melana Ryan
Published March 21, 2022
When you walk around the third floor of Aitkin High School, your eyes are graced with beautiful colors. You see projects with various shades, flags, flowers, and pictures. Sometimes, the walls are instead decorated with paintings or messages that say "Have a good day." There is always something hung up to lift spirits and feed positivity. The person responsible for this is called "Señora" by her students. Señora Irma Del Carmen Flores Córdova de Boerhave is the Spanish teacher at Aitkin High School. For many people, she is the embodiment of these festive colors and flowers. For many people, she represents positivity and the happiness they feel throughout the day.
Born and raised in Chile, Señora grew up in a household with her father, mother, and six siblings. She said that she was always very affectionate towards others. Her siblings would often send her to talk to people because of the natural kindness she carried. This did not surprise me, as she is definitely one of the most charismatic people I have ever met. She is a friend to everyone and she can make any person feel welcome and important. Her warm, sweet personality can break down barriers to anyone's heart and the sound of her contagious giggle will always make you smile. Our class would describe her as “Muy bonita, simpatíca y es como una madre.” Very beautiful, nice, and is like a mother. Her hair, dark like coal, is always gently bouncing with her as she hustles around the room to each student. Her smile is full of energy and her big brown eyes are encompassed with ambition. As students walk into her room before the bell rings, she is always hurrying around to prepare, and the promise of learning something new can be felt in the air.
I asked Señora why she became a teacher. She told me that she originally was going into social work. Unfortunately, encountering all of the tough things that happen in that profession broke her heart and she could not continue doing it. Soon after, she set her sights on education. She was a teacher in Chile for a while before coming to Minnesota via a scholarship program.
Thirty years later, she is still here teaching students of many ages. Kids from eighth to twelfth grade have the opportunity to take classes from her. I respect her so much for putting up with some of those eighth-graders every day, as do many of her coworkers. I sometimes can imagine her voice in the back of my head saying "Mira, Mira!" and I can picture her trying to get the attention of the class. It always makes me chuckle to think about that sweet woman with her thick accent and enormous heart.
As the mother of three kids, Señora has always been able to connect with children. She said that she likes being a teacher because of the impact that you can have on students' lives. On top of being a teacher, she is also the advisor of Aitkin High School's International Club. She brought a group of kids together who now celebrate other countries and cultures monthly. She wants these kids to broaden their horizons and learn about the world. She encourages them to go out and get experience first-hand to gain knowledge for their own lives. She has planned many trips overseas with students and helps them achieve once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Alex Brucker, the President of International Club said, "She is super passionate, she just loves teaching and loves kids." Alex also shared with me a story from last year. She said that the school's display case was supposed to be decorated, but she was struggling to make it look presentable. She went to Señora for help and she said that Señora showed up the next day, before 7 a.m, and fixed the entire display case. "It was so sweet of her to take that much time out of her own day to help with something that was important to us," Alex said.
Señora has a reputation around our school for being a compassionate and generous person. Last year for International Club, she woke up early in the morning before school to prepare the food for our second-hour meeting. She made sure that everything would be ready for the club members, and she always makes sure that everyone is enjoying their time being there. I also remember from personal experience that she provides snacks and candy for the choir kids every year after their musical performances. She has done this for the One-Act Play as well. She is very supportive of both the arts and the athletics in our school. I have been a student in her class for two straight years now, and three years total. Almost every single day, she has had some sort of treat to give to our classes. Most of the time, it is out of the blue and completely unexpected. She simply does it out of the kindness of her heart.
I asked Señora about her life and who inspired her to lead the way she does. She told me that her father influenced the way that she views the world and treats other people. "He did so many things for so many people," she said. She went on to explain that he was so nice to others and that is what drew people to him. "So, I found it very natural to be kind," she continued. "I kind of wanted to become him in a sense. He was very loved by people although he wasn't perfect." Señora often refers to students by saying "Mi Amor" when giving them help and guidance. This always makes me feel comfortable around her and I can tell that she genuinely cares about all of the students in our school. She is calling us "my love" and I think that we all love her as well. I think that her father would be very proud to see how she touches people's lives.
When I think of Señora, I think of vibrant and bright things. Colors like pink, yellow, and green come to mind along with flowers, plants, and sunshine. She is so caring, undeniably nice, and she can brighten anyone's day. Señora radiates positivity and love to everyone. She is the perfect display of a completely genuine person. She has the sweetest soul and everyone who is in her presence becomes comfortable. Anyone that you talk to about her as a person would agree with me. Andrea Pool, her colleague at AHS, said, "She is probably the nicest person I have ever met. She is so full of life." Pool went on to talk about how brilliant and wise Señora is as well. "She kind of took me under her wing when I started teaching here," said Pool. "She really is amazing; I don't know anyone else like her." I could not agree with Mrs. Pool more; Señora simply is just amazing.
To wrap up my interview with her, I asked Señora for any advice that she would like to give to the world. She said, "Count your blessings because, despite the fact that your life might not be perfect, we have so much." Señora is truly an extraordinary teacher, person, and friend. Aitkin High School is incredibly lucky to have her around. I feel very grateful that I have been able to experience having Señora Boerhave in my life and I will never forget all of the invaluable lessons she has taught me. She is one of a kind, and she is a blessing.
This profile was written as part of College Composition I.
Published March 21, 2022
When you walk around the third floor of Aitkin High School, your eyes are graced with beautiful colors. You see projects with various shades, flags, flowers, and pictures. Sometimes, the walls are instead decorated with paintings or messages that say "Have a good day." There is always something hung up to lift spirits and feed positivity. The person responsible for this is called "Señora" by her students. Señora Irma Del Carmen Flores Córdova de Boerhave is the Spanish teacher at Aitkin High School. For many people, she is the embodiment of these festive colors and flowers. For many people, she represents positivity and the happiness they feel throughout the day.
Born and raised in Chile, Señora grew up in a household with her father, mother, and six siblings. She said that she was always very affectionate towards others. Her siblings would often send her to talk to people because of the natural kindness she carried. This did not surprise me, as she is definitely one of the most charismatic people I have ever met. She is a friend to everyone and she can make any person feel welcome and important. Her warm, sweet personality can break down barriers to anyone's heart and the sound of her contagious giggle will always make you smile. Our class would describe her as “Muy bonita, simpatíca y es como una madre.” Very beautiful, nice, and is like a mother. Her hair, dark like coal, is always gently bouncing with her as she hustles around the room to each student. Her smile is full of energy and her big brown eyes are encompassed with ambition. As students walk into her room before the bell rings, she is always hurrying around to prepare, and the promise of learning something new can be felt in the air.
I asked Señora why she became a teacher. She told me that she originally was going into social work. Unfortunately, encountering all of the tough things that happen in that profession broke her heart and she could not continue doing it. Soon after, she set her sights on education. She was a teacher in Chile for a while before coming to Minnesota via a scholarship program.
Thirty years later, she is still here teaching students of many ages. Kids from eighth to twelfth grade have the opportunity to take classes from her. I respect her so much for putting up with some of those eighth-graders every day, as do many of her coworkers. I sometimes can imagine her voice in the back of my head saying "Mira, Mira!" and I can picture her trying to get the attention of the class. It always makes me chuckle to think about that sweet woman with her thick accent and enormous heart.
As the mother of three kids, Señora has always been able to connect with children. She said that she likes being a teacher because of the impact that you can have on students' lives. On top of being a teacher, she is also the advisor of Aitkin High School's International Club. She brought a group of kids together who now celebrate other countries and cultures monthly. She wants these kids to broaden their horizons and learn about the world. She encourages them to go out and get experience first-hand to gain knowledge for their own lives. She has planned many trips overseas with students and helps them achieve once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Alex Brucker, the President of International Club said, "She is super passionate, she just loves teaching and loves kids." Alex also shared with me a story from last year. She said that the school's display case was supposed to be decorated, but she was struggling to make it look presentable. She went to Señora for help and she said that Señora showed up the next day, before 7 a.m, and fixed the entire display case. "It was so sweet of her to take that much time out of her own day to help with something that was important to us," Alex said.
Señora has a reputation around our school for being a compassionate and generous person. Last year for International Club, she woke up early in the morning before school to prepare the food for our second-hour meeting. She made sure that everything would be ready for the club members, and she always makes sure that everyone is enjoying their time being there. I also remember from personal experience that she provides snacks and candy for the choir kids every year after their musical performances. She has done this for the One-Act Play as well. She is very supportive of both the arts and the athletics in our school. I have been a student in her class for two straight years now, and three years total. Almost every single day, she has had some sort of treat to give to our classes. Most of the time, it is out of the blue and completely unexpected. She simply does it out of the kindness of her heart.
I asked Señora about her life and who inspired her to lead the way she does. She told me that her father influenced the way that she views the world and treats other people. "He did so many things for so many people," she said. She went on to explain that he was so nice to others and that is what drew people to him. "So, I found it very natural to be kind," she continued. "I kind of wanted to become him in a sense. He was very loved by people although he wasn't perfect." Señora often refers to students by saying "Mi Amor" when giving them help and guidance. This always makes me feel comfortable around her and I can tell that she genuinely cares about all of the students in our school. She is calling us "my love" and I think that we all love her as well. I think that her father would be very proud to see how she touches people's lives.
When I think of Señora, I think of vibrant and bright things. Colors like pink, yellow, and green come to mind along with flowers, plants, and sunshine. She is so caring, undeniably nice, and she can brighten anyone's day. Señora radiates positivity and love to everyone. She is the perfect display of a completely genuine person. She has the sweetest soul and everyone who is in her presence becomes comfortable. Anyone that you talk to about her as a person would agree with me. Andrea Pool, her colleague at AHS, said, "She is probably the nicest person I have ever met. She is so full of life." Pool went on to talk about how brilliant and wise Señora is as well. "She kind of took me under her wing when I started teaching here," said Pool. "She really is amazing; I don't know anyone else like her." I could not agree with Mrs. Pool more; Señora simply is just amazing.
To wrap up my interview with her, I asked Señora for any advice that she would like to give to the world. She said, "Count your blessings because, despite the fact that your life might not be perfect, we have so much." Señora is truly an extraordinary teacher, person, and friend. Aitkin High School is incredibly lucky to have her around. I feel very grateful that I have been able to experience having Señora Boerhave in my life and I will never forget all of the invaluable lessons she has taught me. She is one of a kind, and she is a blessing.
This profile was written as part of College Composition I.