Perspective is a powerful teaching tool — something Dr. Holly Lopez knows well.
A long history of helping affected students and their families through childcare services makes her a valuable resource in the field of early childhood development. Teaching is close to home, and she draws pride and gratitude from sharing in her student’s accomplishments.
“I love my work,” says Dr. Lopez, Program Chair of Child Development and the Program Chair of Early Childhood Development with Differentiated Instruction at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). “I love the children. I love the families. These are happy, amazing, thriving families, and I get to be a part of supporting their success.”
Her perspective toward learning in all areas of life — particularly dance — contributes to her mission of learning and pushing toward success.
Education in the Family
Working with children was kismet for Dr. Lopez. She was the first member of her family to reach the doctorate level in college, earning her degree in education from UCLA in 2010. Education was especially important to her grandmother, who was a high school graduate, a point of pride for her and the family. Dr Lopez’s mother and uncles hold master’s degrees, and with other family members in education, their lives are wholly service-oriented.
“It was always her greatest wish that all of us, her children and her grandchildren, were highly educated, and so that is something that we just naturally strove for,” she says.
Working with children took place in tandem with her education. In her bachelor’s degree program at UCLA, Dr. Lopez worked at a preschool to support herself through her schooling. After moving up from an assistant role, her work was concentrated in a UCLA laboratory school, an institution that implements cutting-edge teaching practices.
Dr. Lopez earned her undergraduate degree in arts and culture, a very different path from her original business economics track. After graduation, she found she missed working with children directly and left her postgrad job in museum education to work with the Salvation Army. From there, she implemented a high-level childcare program modeled after her time working in the UCLA lab school, which kick-started a series of other programs.
“I think it comes with the territory of being part of a culture that is wanting to give back to where we come from,” she says.
Dr. Lopez has assisted in creating several institutions throughout her career. During her time with the Salvation Army, she opened the Alegrias Child Development Center, a program serving homeless children with HIV and AIDS, and the Bessie Pregerson Child Development Center for the children of homeless families and veterans. Similar to her Salvation Army role, Dr. Lopez also helped open the St. Anne’s Child Development Center, which serves adolescent, pregnant, and parenting mothers who are wards of the state.
Exposure to these affected populations gave Dr. Lopez an intimate perspective on family dynamics, and one that puts her in a position of authority to counsel others on how to navigate these groups with efficiency.
“Because of my experience with unique populations, students appreciate me sharing my experiences with homeless families, children affected by HIV, and adolescent mothers,” Dr. Lopez explains. “I've been super blessed to work with a wide variety of unique populations, and I've learned so much from being around these different types of family structures.”
Helping Teachers Thrive
While working with children is a calling, Dr. Lopez cites her most rewarding experience as working with teachers. She previously coached educators through an AmeriCorps program, which placed newer teachers in low-income areas. Through her guidance, she helped these teachers find the confidence they need to succeed in the classroom.
“These are teachers who already are good at what they do, but oftentimes I find that they don't know it,” she explains. “What they need through this educational journey is to be empowered in their own knowledge and understand how brilliant they already are.”
The teachers in Dr. Lopez’s repertoire were almost entirely women, and women of color. Her breadth of knowledge and experience inspired them to capitalize on their talents and capabilities.
“I am most proud of empowering non-traditional female students of color to become change agents and leaders, not just for their classrooms, but for their communities,” she says.
Now, Dr. Lopez finds fulfillment at graduation ceremonies. Seeing her students celebrate their successes and meeting their supportive families is a testament to the impact of online learning and the students’ respective efforts in their coursework.
“It's really a whole family success story,” she says. “I get to see not just my students but their families and their children. I get to talk to their significant others and say, ‘Thank you so much for all the support you gave to your spouse.’”
UAGC and Getting Involved
This long and fulfilling history of developing early childhood education programs led Dr. Lopez to her current roles. Her department chair positions opened while she was working toward her master’s degree in early childhood leadership. The leadership opportunities enticed Dr. Lopez to take on the position, and she has taught several early childhood education courses in her eight years with UAGC.
Beyond her classroom involvement, Dr. Lopez started the LatinX Club at UAGC in 2020 and currently holds an advisor position. As a third-generation Mexican-American, she understands the benefit of having homogenous community members who are working toward similar goals. Joining forces with existing services like the CHAMPS Peer Mentoring program, increased the offerings and efficiency of the LatinX Club.
“Research shows that mentoring, specifically for Latinx students, is a very powerful tool for retention,” she says. “We do some strategic pairings of Latinx students with other Latinx students to better utilize the mentoring process.”
As a self-described lifelong learner, Dr. Lopez notes her current and future objective is to work on her “terminal degree” of research projects and various studies, particularly in increasing said retention for online education seekers.
Dancing Through Life and Learning
Dr. Lopez’s instruction extends beyond the classroom and onto the dance floor, where she practices flamenco, a gypsy dance that evolved in southern Spain. As a classically trained dancer with over 25 years of experience, she travels as often as she can to explore the art.
“I started dancing at 19, and I haven't stopped,” she says. “I go to Spain as often as I can to study, and it's just sort of my happy place and lifelong challenge.”
Dr. Lopez teaches flamenco to children and adults. Just like her students and cohorts, a diversity of age ranges and skill levels exposes Dr. Lopez to a variety of different backgrounds, an exercise she is grateful for.
“It's just an honor to be a part of my students' lives. I'm just very thankful,” she says. “I want to thank each and every one of them for allowing me to be such a part of this very special journey.”
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