INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK: Pilar Arroyo-Marquez, Water Spring Middle School

Pilar Arroyo-Marquez is the mathematics teacher at Water Spring Middle School, where she has taught for four years.

“I make it a priority that my students achieve success and leave us with not only a solid education but an experience that sets the foundation for years to come,” she said.

She was named Teacher of the Year at Apollo Middle School with Broward County Public Schools.

“Pilar has been with me since before the school was built,” Principal Brian Sanchez Corona said. “She is one of the five original staffulty members that started with me, four years ago, when we were on the third floor of Horizon High School.

“Pilar is one of the most caring and motivating teachers you will ever meet,” he said. “She welcomes all students, teachers and staff members into her classroom and into her heart with open arms. She is everyone's abuela but with the energy and spirit of a young, fiercely caring mother.

“Pilar is able to get students new to our school, community and country to immediately feel safe and open up,” Sanchez Corona said. “The safe environment that is fostered in her room allows for students to take educational risks and engage in an environment that tends to be entirely foreign to them. I have seen her take students who spoke little to no English on Day 1 to having them earn a level five (highest score) on the end-of- year course exam. Kids thrive under her care!

“Pilar not only does this with students, but she will gravitate to new teachers, and teachers new to the field of education, and take them under her wings,” he said. “She willingly shares her knowledge, experiences, ideas and laughter with these bright-eyed new Wildcat teachers. Pilar immediately makes them feel like valuable and effective members of the Wildcat family.

“I am so lucky and blessed to have hired Pilar (and stole her from Bridgewater Middle School),” Sanchez Corona said. “She was a key player in having Water Spring Middle School become the No. 1 middle school in OCPS (this past year), and she will be instrumental as WSMS races toward being No. 1 in the state of Florida. Pilar Arroyo-Marquez is a treasure to Horizon West and Water Spring Middle School.”

What brought you to your school?

Due to the growth of our community, in 2021 Bridgewater Middle School was relieved by our new community school, Water Spring Middle School. I was fortunate to be recruited to join the small group of 17 teachers to inaugurate the newborn WSMS located on the third floor of the new Horizon High.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the diversity of our staff and student body. You have a melting pot right here in the Horizon West area. I have always loved to meet people of all walks of life, cultures and countries; I get to do that right here in my backyard.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Like most teachers, we are passionate about what we do. Making a difference in the social-emotional and academic growth of our students is the most rewarding experience you take away from our profession. As middle school teachers, we don’t always see the impact right away, but life will take care of letting you know, years later, how much you meant to so many.

What would you be if you weren’t in this profession?

I took to teaching later in life, as it was always something I wanted to do since I was little. However, if I wasn’t a teacher, I surely would love to work in brain research. I am driven to brain development and function, something instilled in me by my aunt, who was a known neuropathologist in Puerto Rico.

Who influences you?

Two people who are gone physically from my life, but their influences are with me every day — my dad, who left me the passion of learning and making my own judgments; and my aunt, whose life was full of service, dedication, continued learning, care, strength and passion for what we do. I wouldn’t be who I am today if isn’t for these two amazing people.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why? 

I was blessed to attend a small private school in Puerto Rico from K-12. It is very hard for me to pick one; however, Mrs. Collazo, my seventh- through ninth-grade English Grammar teacher, was one I remember the most. She was always well dressed, carried herself with an air of a queen, was funny and relatable, strong and demanding. She expected the best from all of us. Her class was a blend of work and fun. Spelling bees were the very best!

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

It is my greatest joy to spend my spare time with my husband of 38 years and the family that we have created. No matter if it’s a family gathering, a beach weekend, birthdays or holidays, you will find me with my husband and the 12 members of my immediate family: three children and their spouses and six grandkids.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

If I could choose someone famous to talk with over dinner, it would be Albert Einstein. I can only imagine how much I would get out of hearing about his incredible knowledge, wisdom and life.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? 

If I had a superpower, it will be teleportation. Travel time will certainly be awesome to do. I would be able to go back in time, further than my own existence, and into the future.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists, who would they be and why? 

In terms of music, I don’t have preferred genre. I listen to songs I am driven to. However, I am Hispanic, so Marc Anthony is at the top of my list, as well as Juan Luis Guerra. On the American side, I’m an ’80s girl from Puerto Rico who attended concerts of REO Speedwagon and Huey Lewis and the News, and I am totally a fan of Neil Diamond and Michael Jackson.

What was your go-to lunch and favorite snack as an elementary student? 

We had a small cafeteria in the school, and I loved to eat pizza turnover.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. You go from seeing your kids enjoy the magic of Christmas to seeing your grandkids’ joy and surprise. Family time, dinner together and being able to live through it all, is a huge blessing.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch? 

Through my 13 years in the same school, with many who were also there the same amount of time, I had the blessing of keeping long-lasting friendships. However, Maria has been the constant, even after school. She is the godmother of my second child, and we do stay in touch through social media.