As a member of Norristown Area High School’s graduating class of 2000, Mr. Julio Nuñez is honored to return to the Norristown Area School District as the proud Principal of the Roosevelt Campus of NAHS. Mr. Nuñez immigrated from Acapulco, Mexico to Philadelphia, PA in 1998.
Mr. Nuñez started his professional career in the School District of Philadelphia as a bilingual teacher for a couple years before moving to a charter school, also as a bilingual teacher. He was then promoted to Assistant Principal and eventually went on to be the founding principal and CEO of a Bilingual Charter School, located in Philadelphia. Mr. Nuñez has spent the last four years as an Assistant Principal in the Philadelphia School District. He is happy to be here serving the community he belonged to for 20 years as a student and resident. He is looking forward to getting to know his students and their families, and learning how he can best support them. As a Mexican-American principal, he believes that he is “a representation of what kids can become,” and he takes great pride in that.
Mr. Nuñez is a proud Mexican-American; he says that he belongs to both cultures because of how much they have both offered him. Mexican culture is full of rich history, music, food, and more. For Hispanic Heritage Month, Mr. Nuñez is
"excited about not just being see, but seeing others [and seeing them be] comfortable with who they are."
Mr. Nuñez talked about how he, and many other immigrants, may feel pressure to hide parts of themselves or their culture, but he says that we should celebrate and keep celebrating those cultures and different identities.
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Mr. Nuñez and his family will observe Mexican Independence day on September 15 with traditional Mexican dishes. One dish he is especially looking forward to is pozole, a hominy soup. He will also be a part of the Steering Committee for the 6th Annual PA Latino Convention in Harrisburg, PA taking place this week. Superintendent Dormer will also be attending the convention as part of a panel discussion on Developing the Latino Educator Pipeline and Diversifying the Workforce. Mr. Nuñez will also be attending Taco Fiesta 2023 sponsored by the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia, an organization where Mr. Nuñez serves as a board member.
Mr. Nuñez added that “you don’t have to be Latino to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, anyone can.” He encourages the entire Norristown Area School District to
"be curious about other people's cultures, their language, their history, and their identity."
Mr. Nuñez also wanted to share his letter of introduction with the entire community.