Editor’s note: This is the second in a series about staff who are the backbone of our school.
Behind every smooth school day is someone making sure the details are in order and for the past nine years, that person has been Belizza Delacruz. Soon entering her tenth year, Delacruz is a reliable and familiar face known for handling attendance, student information, metro cards, trip forms and more.
Her journey into education started early. After graduating, Ms. Delacruz took on a few minimum-wage jobs before being offered a position as a paraprofessional, which eventually led her to her current role. As a student aide at Metropolitan High School, she worked closely with staff and her advisory teacher, Evelyn Mendez. “They helped guide me into a whole new world of education,” she said.
Now serving as the school’s student information secretary, Ms. Delacruz says her work is often misunderstood. “A lot of students think I just sit at a computer all day,” she says, “but my job includes attendance, metro cards, trips and so many other things.” She helps dozens of people every day, whether it’s resolving attendance issues or answering questions from both students and parents. “It’s constant. Even during lunch, someone usually needs something.”
While her role may seem easy now, it’s only because of the experience she’s gained over time. “It wasn’t always like this,” she says. “After doing it for so long, it grew easy.”
Some students see her as strict, but those who get to know her learn that she’s actually kind, creative and always willing to help.
Ms. Delacruz believes relationships matter, even if students don’t always realize it right away. “It’s hard as a student to bond with teachers,” she said. “But we spend more time with students than their parents do. We’re people too.” Outside of work, she enjoys baking and crafting which reflects her warm and thoughtful personality.
Whether she’s organizing a school trip or helping a student through a stressful day, Belizza Delacruz proves that her job is much more than sitting behind a desk.
