Mr. Aguilar’s Influential Thirty-Two-Year Run 

When you walk into an AP U.S. History class, you don’t expect to feel the passion and warmth that radiates from Mr. Aguilar. A reassuring sense of comfort replaces the anxiety of getting stuck with a less engaging history teacher. He teaches history with great dedication. His humor and teaching style have made him a student favorite at John A. Ferguson.

He has been teaching for thirty-two years, but he has been at JAFSH since 2005. With over three decades of experience, he empathizes with students and accommodates their needs while maintaining respect and keeping the class on task.

He has impacted his students’ lives in many ways, even beyond the classroom. Barry Jenkins, a former student of his from Miami Western, won an Oscar for his movie Moonlight in 2017. This achievement might earn Aguilar the “Teacher with the Most Successful Student” award. Reflecting on this, Aguilar remains humble. He is proud to have been part of Jenkins’ journey but doesn’t take credit for his success.

Describing himself as helpful but occasionally stubborn, his character and competitive spirit stem from his childhood. Growing up in El Salvador, he and his classmates played soccer during their 15-minute passing periods. While he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, he acknowledged, “I was very good but not excellent, and to become a professional player, you need to be perfect.”

Despite not pursuing soccer professionally, his skills left a lasting impression. He coached a soccer team at the age of 33 and remains in contact with many of his former players. Proudly stating, “I love that I still have the same relationship with them after all these years.”

While soccer shaped much of his youth, Mr. Aguilar’s love for history was instilled by his grandfather, who introduced him to readings about the Greeks and Egyptians. This passion for world history eventually led him to become a teacher. Another key influence was his ESOL history teacher, Ms. Harris, who welcomed him to America with kindness and humor. Her approach greatly influenced his teaching style. “Being a history teacher worked out very well for me,” he shares. “I couldn’t see myself working in another field.”

His goal as a teacher goes beyond helping his students understand the material. He strives to guide them toward becoming compassionate individuals. “Do not be wasteful, be frugal,” he often says. When asked about what impresses him most in people, he replied, “The most impressive thing someone can do is not be selfish.” For him, avoiding saying things you don’t mean to those you love is essential.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, he does not prioritize economic success. What he values most is witnessing his students’ growth throughout the school year. “Interacting with and guiding the younger generation is more than enough for me,” he said. His former students have not forgotten him either; many still reach out to him years after graduating.

If you’re lucky enough to have AP U.S. History as your first class of the day, you won’t be disappointed. He makes the class engaging and digestible despite its rigor. He uses humor, often sarcastic, to keep lessons lively and relatable. Some students initially find his humor facetious, but they come to appreciate his relaxed teaching style over time.

“His class is one of the highlights of my day,” explains Mia Gonzalez, a junior. “He listens to his students and adjusts his lessons to meet our needs, which makes everything easier to understand.”

As the years continue to fly by, Mr. Aguilar will undoubtedly keep making a lasting impact on his students. The influences in his life have shaped him into an exceptional teacher whose commitment to student success is rare. Ferguson is truly fortunate to have him, and his influence will continue to resonate inside and outside the classroom.