Staff Focus: Minerva Contreras, Hispanic Achievement Liaison, Thomas Viaduct Middle School

April 2nd, 2025

Minerva “Minni” Contreras has always thought of herself as a “service person.”

As a child, she helped translate information and navigate the American school system for her parents, who were born and raised in Central America and moved to the United States when she was young. As an adult, she helped her husband run a small landscape and design business. As a parent, she regularly volunteered at her children’s schools, helping students build and reinforce their reading skills.

Five years ago, Contreras embraced a new form of service by becoming a Hispanic Achievement Liaison (HAL), first at Harper’s Choice Middle School and later at Hanover Hills Elementary School and in the HCPSS Innovative Pathways Summer program.

“I was drawn to the Hispanic Achievement Liaison role because of my deep passion for advocacy, education, and community empowerment,” she recalls. “I understood and could relate to the challenges that many Hispanic students and families face in the U.S. education system, and I was eager to help them.”

Today, Contreras serves as a HAL at Thomas Viaduct Middle School (TVMS), where she supports Hispanic students in a variety of ways. She monitors their attendance, behavior, and performance and works closely with school staff to remove barriers and implement strategies that promote success.

“I strive to ensure students have equitable access to all the resources and support they need to navigate challenges in school and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” she explains. “Sometimes, that means helping them understand [school system electronic] platforms, like Canvas. Other times, it involves analyzing data; collaborating with my colleagues at TVMS to implement initiatives that drive student access, achievement, and success; providing targeted interventions; connecting students with advanced-level opportunities; or simply being someone they can trust and talk to.”

Contreras also works closely with her students’ families to facilitate their engagement with the school. This includes speaking with them on the phone, holding in-person meetings, interpreting, participating in parent-teacher conferences, and hosting workshops and parent information meetings on various topics.

“My goal is to help families understand how our school system works and enable them to access school-related information, so they feel empowered to take an active role in their child’s education,” she says.

Complementing this work, Contreras partners with TVMS’ school administrators, registar, counselors, Pupil Personnel Worker, and other staff to connect families with community-based resources, such as dental and health clinics, English classes, summer camps, educational opportunities, and more.

“It’s all part of supporting our families, so they are better positioned to support their children,” she says.

In addition, Contreras organizes events that celebrate and raise awareness of Hispanic culture within the TVMS community, such as the National Hispanic Heritage luncheon and World Culture Night.

Building relationships, providing support, accountability, fostering a sense of belonging, and empowering families in order to accelerate academic achievement—it is all work that Contreras is passionate about.

“I love knowing that my work makes a difference—helping students feel heard, seen, valued, and supported while ensuring that Hispanic families have a voice in their child’s education. It’s a challenging role, but the impact is worth it every day!”