Rubén Aurelio Hispanic Heritage Month Staff Spotlight

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, VCUSD is proud to spotlight members of our staff and community as part of our "Unidos, somos más" series. This week, we're honored to feature our own Superintendent, Rubén Aurelio.

A Family Rooted in Argentina

Superintendent Aurelio's family immigrated to the United States from Argentina, and he carries that heritage with pride. "What I love the most about our culture is the food and the love for our fútbol/soccer and all things Argentine," he shared. "There is considerable pride in being Argentine." Speaking both English and Spanish at home, Superintendent Aurelio encourages everyone to one day visit northern Argentina — Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán — home to the famous "Tren a las Nubes" (Train to the Clouds), a journey through breathtaking landscapes and indigenous communities that left a lasting impression on him when he visited at age 13.

"Unidos, Somos Más"

For Superintendent Aurelio, this year's theme is personal. "We are greater when we work together for a common good or goal," he said. "I'm only as good as the people I work with and support here in Vallejo City Unified School District. When we come together for our students, we are better."

Honoring His Parents' Legacy

Superintendent Aurelio credits his parents as his earliest role models. His mother and father arrived in the U.S. without knowing English — his mother built a career as a childcare provider, influencing hundreds of children over the years, while his father worked his way up from custodian to chief foreman, speaking broken English until the day he passed. "My mother was my first and best teacher," he reflected. "I didn't attend preschool formally — she was my teacher."

A Tradition Passed Down

One tradition Superintendent Aurelio proudly carries forward: making empanadas from scratch for his family on special occasions. "I love seeing my youngest helping me in the kitchen and teaching guests how to make and fold the empanadas," he said.

A Message for Our Students

Superintendent Aurelio's advice for VCUSD students this year: "Never give up and always keep your head up. Be proud of your heritage, language, and work ethic that our culture breeds. Being Hispanic/Latino is something you carry with you everywhere you go. Don't set limits upon yourself."

Education as a Path Forward

Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic/Chicano neighborhood east of Los Angeles, Superintendent Aurelio found early purpose tutoring classmates in math and language — a passion that carried him through high school, college, and ultimately into a career in education. "My family made it clear that education would be my way of improving our family outcomes and success," he said.