In 2009, Del Bosque-Hernandez was tasked with designing a lesson plan for a teaching program. For her first class, she crafted a lesson where elementary students used ramps and Hot Wheels to test out the effects of friction. As she introduced the project, smiles emerged on the students’ faces.

“The kids had so much fun with the lesson, and it brought me so much joy,” she said. “I knew this was it.”

Del Bosque-Hernandez graduated from the University of Houston in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences and a minor in Education.

After graduating, Del Bosque-Hernandez worked at Spring Branch Westchester Academy for International Studies, where she met math teacher Alice Fogler. Several years later, Del Bosque-Hernanez began teaching at Bridgeland High School. During the pandemic, she had to make adaptable classes that students could take from both home and school. With twice the workload, Del Bosque-Hernandez sought to teach at a non-hybrid school.

In 2021, Fogler told Del Bosque-Hernandez there was an opening to teach science at the school, which was not using the hybrid format. She immediately applied.

Del Bosque-Hernandez began teaching biology and AP Environmental Science classes to SJS students in 2021. She was very grateful for both the people and resources the school provided.

“Everybody here was very welcoming,” she said. “And I didn’t have to struggle if I needed to ask for chemicals and materials for a lab, so I was only able to concentrate on teaching.”

Del Bosque-Hernandez enjoyed the connections she made with her advisory.

“It was incredible. I got to see other students at the school, but I actually got to see my advisees grow,” she said.

During her time at the School, Del Bosque-Hernandez modified AP Environmental Science to focus on the local implications of the environment. She developed relationships with the Galveston Bay Foundation, Wetlands Connections program and Hope Farms for field trips and volunteer projects.

Del Bosque-Hernandez also created an annual trip to the arboretum to learn about the history of Houston watersheds, and she hosted trips to the Katy Prairie Conservancy, the Deer Park Prairie and the Green Building Resource Center. To raise awareness on environmentally-conscious practices, Del Bosque-Hernandez used the school network to invite speakers from various sectors.

As she redesigned the class and prepared to teach environmental science, Del Bosque-Hernandez grew passionate about climate change.

“I went to this training and all the people were so passionate about teaching it that it was just very contagious,” she said. “And then the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn.”

To help her students understand the effects of climate change, she incorporated lessons on local ecosystems and the human footprint.

“Students care about the environment when they are connected to the environment,” she said.

Del Bosque-Hernandez also sponsored the Climate Change Club and Community Contributions Committee, where she aimed for the student body to get to know staff members on a stronger level.

Next year, Del Bosque-Hernandez will teach at the Awty International School. By teaching at an international school, she hopes to recognize and teach the implications of environmental science on a larger scale.

“It’ll be interesting to teach it from that perspective because I’ve been focusing on our local lens,” she said. “But I think it’s important to incorporate the local factors too with what we are doing globally to combat climate change.”

Del Bosque-Hernandez describes this next chapter as bittersweet.

“I had a great time here and I’ll miss the students and my coworkers,” she said. “But hopefully we can collaborate more in the future.”