LEXINGTON – For Odwuar Quiñonez, teaching isn’t just a job – it’s a calling.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney graduate has always been drawn to the idea of helping others and making a difference in the world. Through his own education and experiences, he’s found the perfect way to do that.
Quiñonez is a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Bryan Elementary School in Lexington, where he uses his talent and passion to inspire and guide children in a dual-language classroom. The role allows him to connect deeply with his students, many of whom share similar cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
“My why for teaching here is being a role model, not only to Hispanic students but to everybody who comes to this dual-language program,” Quiñonez said. “They see me not just as a teacher but also as a friend and a mentor. I love to see their growth.”
From Shy Student to Campus Leader
Quiñonez’s journey to the classroom began with his own education.
He was born in Lexington and raised in Guatemala before returning to the U.S. at age 10 and bouncing between four different communities over the next five years. When his mother and younger sister relocated to Lexington during his sophomore year of high school, Quiñonez moved in with them and was finally able to settle down.
He participated in numerous extracurricular activities during high school and earned college scholarships from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and Peter Kiewit Foundation.
Quiñonez credits UNK for preparing him to be the best teacher he can be.
“UNK really changed me as a human being,” he said. “I was very shy coming into campus, but everybody was so welcoming – my professors, my mentors, everyone. That support pushed me to be involved on campus and prepared me for my career.”
Quiñonez dove into campus life, joining multiple organizations and taking on leadership roles. His growth as a student culminated in being crowned UNK’s homecoming king during his senior year.
“I always wanted to push myself,” he said. “From my freshman year until graduation, I was super involved and I was passionate about the things I was doing. That allowed me to become the person I am today.”
Quiñonez earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UNK in December 2019 and later received an English as a second language endorsement from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s currently pursuing a master’s degree in teaching, learning and teacher education through UNL.
Creating Classroom Connections
As a bilingual teacher, Quiñonez bridges language and cultural gaps to ensure his students feel seen and supported. He believes understanding a child’s background is key to fostering a love for learning.
“In this dual-language program, you’ve got to know the students’ backgrounds and their parents’ backgrounds – what languages they speak, their culture,” he explained. “That way, you can help them achieve learning both English and Spanish.”
UNK’s teacher education program equipped him with the tools to succeed in this field, from mastering classroom management to gaining hands-on experience in Lexington schools during his practicum and student teaching.
“I fell in love with the teaching program at UNK,” he said. “The professors took the time to get to know me as an individual and pushed me to be the best version of myself. I’m very thankful for that.”
Quiñonez is proud to give back to his hometown by empowering young learners and encouraging them to dream big.
“A lot of my teachers influenced me, and that’s why I’m a teacher today,” he said. “I want to push my students to succeed and let them know they can be whoever they want to be in life.”
For those considering a career in education, Quiñonez offers this advice: “Don’t give up. Believe in yourself. At UNK, you’ll have mentors, professors and friends who will push you and help you succeed.”
