Highland Park Graduates Return Home to Inspire the Next Generation
Two Highland Park High School graduates have come full circle, returning to their alma mater as educators to inspire the next generation of Scots.
Mr. Derek Martinez Reynaga and Ms. Jaqueline Arteaga both grew up in Topeka Public Schools and now teach in the same classrooms where their own educational journeys began. Their stories are powerful reminders of the impact that representation, mentorship, and community can have on future educators.
For Mr. Martinez Reynaga, now a math teacher at Highland Park, teaching where it all began feels like being “back home.” He credits his former HP math teacher, Ms. Celeste Rojero, for guiding him and fueling his passion for education. “She helped me in so many ways that led me to where I am now,” he shared.
After graduating from Washburn University in the fall of 2023 with a degree in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Middle School Mathematics, Mr. Martinez Reynaga takes pride in using his knowledge and experience to make a difference in students’ lives. A first-generation college graduate, Mr. Martinez Reynaga takes pride in his Hispanic heritage and uses it to connect with students. “Being a product of your environment and surrounded by those who bring you up is what keeps me motivated to give back,” he said. His message to students is simple yet powerful: “It’s free to dream, and it costs little to believe.”
For Ms. Jaqueline Arteaga, who teaches English 10 and Young Adult Literature, returning to Highland Park is both surreal and meaningful. “Sometimes I still cannot believe that the teachers who once taught me are now my colleagues,” she said.
Having attended Ross Elementary, Eisenhower Middle School, and Highland Park High School, Ms. Arteaga’s deep roots in Topeka Public Schools help her connect with students on a personal level. “They always find it so cool when I tell them that I went to the same schools as them and that I once sat in the same desks that they do now,” she shared. “It’s not about the neighborhood you grow up in or what school you go to, it’s the effort and work that you put in every day that makes a difference.”
Ms. Arteaga graduated from Washburn University in December 2024, earning her degree in Secondary English Education. One of her most memorable moments came when a student stopped by her room to share how much she enjoys her class and how it sparked a passion for reading. "Hearing that reaffirmed to me that I’m doing what I’m meant to do.”
Ms. Arteaga began this school year by sharing this advice with her students: “It is better to try and fail than to never try at all.” In Spanish, she reminds them, “Esfuérzate por el progreso, no por la perfección.”
As a Hispanic educator and alum of Highland Park, Ms. Arteaga is proud to make learning more accessible for students adjusting to a new language and culture. “It’s important for students to be surrounded by teachers who share common experiences and can empathize with the struggles they may be facing,” she said. “Students need teachers who can speak and teach them in both English and Spanish to help them succeed.”
Both educators take immense pride in giving back to the community that shaped them. Through their work, they are showing students that with dedication, consistency, and belief in themselves, anything is possible.
“Echenle ganas,” says Mr. Martinez Reynaga, a phrase that perfectly captures the spirit of these two Highland Park alumni who are now shaping the future, one classroom at a time.