photo by Neal Wagner

Francisco Perez has been coaching baseball and instructing English as a second language classes at Thompson High School for the past two years.

City Servant Spotlight: Thompson ESL instructor Francisco Perez

By Neal Wagner (Contact) | Alabaster Reporter

Originally published 01:30 p.m., November 5, 2009
Updated 01:30 p.m., November 5, 2009

During the past several years, Francisco Perez has made a full circle from player to coach, and from student to teacher.

Perez, a Venezuelan native who has been coaching baseball and instructing English as a second language classes at Thompson High School for the past two years, said he sees his job as more than just a way to earn a paycheck.

“I am really lucky to be here. It really makes me happy,” Perez said. “I look forward to staying here until my heart gives out and paying this state and this country back for all the things they have given to me.”

Before coming to Thompson, Perez graduated from the University of Montevallo, where he was a scholarship baseball player and made an appearance in the College World Series.

Because he obtained a science degree while at Montevallo, Perez said he did not originally consider working at school.

“After I graduated, a friend of mine who was working here told me I should help coach baseball at the school,” Perez said. “They needed an ESL instructional aid, so I interviewed with Shelby County, and was very fortunate to get the job.”

As his job often puts him in contact with student-athletes and non English-speaking students, Perez said he always tries to serve as a positive role model.

“I was an ESL student once, and I use that to show the students that they can learn the language and be successful if they set their mind to it and work as hard as they can,” Perez said.

“A lot of the kids are male students who haven’t had a positive male figure in their lives. I try to serve as that figure if I can, and teach them how to improve themselves and be good husbands and fathers one day,” Perez added.

On the baseball field, Perez said he tries to teach the athletes life lessons through sports.

“A lot of the things you have to do to be a successful baseball player can be carried over into everyday life. I tell them that if they follow those lessons, they will be successful in whatever they do,” he said.

Although he is not yet a certified teacher, Perez said he plans to begin pursuing his teaching certificate in a few months.

“I need my teaching certificate to be a full-fledged teacher, so I am going to start working toward that in January,” Perez said. “My wife and I got married in June of this year, and she is attending UAB right now.

“We live in Hoover now, because it wouldn’t be fair for her to have to commute from Alabaster to Birmingham every day while I work here,” Perez added. “But when she graduates, we plan to move to Alabaster. I love this community, and I think Shelby County is a great place to raise a family.”

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