Former defense contractor finds calling as teacher

Community Corner

Julio Santana III and his wife Hermelinda Santana are shown at a Valentine’s Dance Saturday. (Photo by Scarlet O'Rourke)

By SCARLET O’ROURKE
Special to the NEWS

From corporate life to teaching, Julio Santana III has made many changes in his life that has led him to happiness.

Santana, 49, has been teaching English as a Second Language to adult students at the Start Center four days a week since October 2010.

“I love it! This is my calling,” Santana said. “I love to see the students progressing.”

Before finding his calling, Santana worked in a defense contracting company for 20 years. He said he’d worked on the assembly ordnance, welded on the super conductor in Waxahachie, TX and was president of the local union there.

“I was able to negotiate two contracts for the workers,” Santana said. “That was hard. When a company is making $15.4 billion we just want our fair share.”

After an accident in one of the factories left him out of work, Santana found his happiness in teaching.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Feb. 16 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.