I’m currently a bilingual teacher of the Health Medical Professions program at Reading Muhlenberg CTC and advisor of the HOSA Freedom Chapter. I earned the Outstanding HOSA Advisor award in 2008 at State and National levels. My chapter has received the Outstanding Newsletter and Outstanding HOSA Chapter Awards for over 12 consecutive years. I received a nomination for the Disney’s American Teacher Awards and Who’s Who Among American Teachers.
I worked for Reading Hospital for many years before becoming a teacher. I was also recognized as the first Hispanic Nurse in the City of Reading when I graduated from RACC’s nursing program. I also a nationally certified and licensed Massage Therapist
I am the author of “A Girl Named Nina” and won an International Latino Book Award for honorable mention as “Best Young Adult Fiction.” My book is being sold worldwide online. It is currently on display at Barnes & Noble. My book was chosen for the Common Read program at Penn State Berks. I wrote and directed the “Enough is Enough, Stop Teen Violence” stage play. I made my acting debut in “Stand and Deliver” at the Genesius Theatre in Reading, PA. I also performed in stage productions growing up in Brooklyn, New York City.
I was born and raised in NYC but I take pride in my Puerto Rican heritage. I have been married for 42 years to my Ecuadorian husband and we have two boys and two grandchildren. If I would have had a girl, her name would have been Nina.
I have a few dreams that I plan to accomplish. I’m a nursing graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Nursing Education (MSN) and wish to become a college professor. Another dream is to pursue a screenplay of my book, and perhaps, a movie, currently working on my book sequel. “Age is just a number,” it is “timeless.” “Don’t use your age as an excuse not to pursue your dreams.”
By Norma Tamayo
