Staff Spotlight: Lizbeth Ana See Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

This week, Vallejo City Unified School District turns the spotlight on Lizbeth Ana See, lead student records archive technician, as part of its ongoing celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

From Mexico City to the Border

Lizbeth's family is originally from Mexico City and later relocated to Sonora, near the U.S. border, near San Luis, Arizona. "The values and traditions that we carry and celebrate bring me a sense of belonging to my native Mexico, even when I am not physically there," she shared. Spanish comes most naturally to her at home. "Me encanta hablar español," she said — it feels more robust and full of emotion for her than any other language. She hopes everyone can one day experience El Golfo de Santa Clara, where you can relax in a palapa, swim in the Mar de Cortez, play in the sand dunes, and enjoy fresh local seafood beneath beautiful sunsets.

"Unidos, Somos Más"

For Lizbeth, the phrase is about recognizing shared ground across differences: "Honor our contributions from different Hispanic backgrounds, our culture, and learn that we have more similarities than differences."

Teachers Who Shaped Her

Lizbeth's role models growing up were two of her own teachers — a caring first-grade teacher, and later, in fourth grade, a strict instructor she calls "La Maestra Elizabeth." "She showed me discipline and grit in the school setting," Lizbeth said. "I will always be grateful for her."

Cooking Together as Tradition

The tradition Lizbeth carries forward with pride is gathering in the kitchen with family. "Cook, laugh, sing, dance, share, and enjoy whatever dish you all prepare together," she said. "It's the best feeling, and you can actually taste it in the food!"

A Global Culture

Lizbeth wants others to see her culture as a "melting pot of beautiful traditions, languages, customs, beliefs, and values." She added, "When you meet someone from another country and start talking about values or food, you realize that we have more in common than we think. I like to think that we have a global culture."

A Message for Our Students

Lizbeth's advice for VCUSD students this year: "Manage distractions, sleep more, set a routine, and divide your goals into small tasks. Doing this consistently will help you reach your goal at the end of each school year — and further, perhaps."

A Family Rooted in Education

Education runs deep in Lizbeth's family. Her parents both worked in schools — her mother as an administrative assistant across private, high school, and vocational settings, and her father as a PE teacher and coach. Godparents, grandparents, aunts, and cousins have all been part of the school system, including relatives teaching at Mexico's UNAM and the Autonomous University of Querétaro. When Lizbeth's own children started school in the U.S., she felt called to serve as a bridge between school and community. "I learned pretty early the importance of 'presence' in the school — as a student, and then as a parent," she said.