Clarke Central High School Freshman Academy science department teacher Judith Chavarria poses at her desk on April 26. Chavarria recently moved to Athens after she evacuated Florida due to Hurricane Irma. “Because it (the move) was sudden, it was more difficult because it was sudden with an evacuation of a hurricane with belongings left behind barely having had said anything to my friends down there,” Chavarria said. Photo by Natalie Ripps
The ODYSSEY Media Group will provide viewers with stylized profiles that center on people in the Athens community telling their own stories.
Clarke Central High School freshman biology teacher Judith Chavarria grew up tutoring children in her hometown of Málaga, Spain. After numerous teaching experiences and unexpected decisions, Chavarria found her way to Athens.
Clarke Central High School freshman biology teacher Judith Chavarria was raised in Málaga, Spain, helping her father teach kids at his tutoring academy. From a young age, Chavarria knew her passion was teaching.
Chavarria attended an English school in Spain until fifth grade before she transferred to a Spanish school. Growing up exposed to these diverse cultures, she was able to learn more about her interests, including science.
Because she and her older sister shared a tight bond, Chavarria attended the University of Málaga (UMA) studying biology, as her sister did.
“I chose biology, which was in my city. It was easier for me to do it when I saw my sister doing it. I actually loved it,” Chavarria said. “Other colleges had accepted me for engineering studies, but I preferred going with a low paid, low budget science, which is bio. But I loved it.”
After graduating at UMA with a biology masters degree and PhD, Chavarria was brought to Miami, FL, through an international institution. According to Chavarria, moving from Spain to Miami, a city surrounded by Spanish culture, was easygoing and left Chavarria feeling welcomed.
The transition from Spain to Miami was smooth, but Chavarria’s biggest challenge lied in transition from Miami to Athens. After threats of Hurricane Irma, Chavarria had to evacuate and leave her life behind, forcing her to move to Athens.
While Chavarria misses her life in Florida, she was welcomed by the CCHS community.
“I miss the people and my family. I have a brother there, sister in law, nephew and I have great friends that I managed to make (in Florida). I just miss the people,” Chavarria said. “But (I enjoy teaching here) a lot. I really do. I have a great team, I have great administrators and I couldn’t be happier with how the school is organized.”
