Teacher Profile: Alejandro Chan-Artiga

By Christopher Loupeda
Staff Writer | The Pacific Times

Growing up, Alejandro Chan-Artiga had aspirations to be an astronaut.

“I remember going to an event at my school that was put on by local college students where they taught us how to tell apart different constellations and how to use a telescope,” he said.

Chan-Artiga was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He moved to the United States at the young age of 7. He lived in Modesto, California then the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Natomas years later.

Over the years, Chan-Artiga’s passion for astronomy continued. Then he read an article about astronauts in the 8th grade and learned they had to have 20/20 vision to fly a space shuttle.

“Learning about this devastated me since I don’t have 20/20 vision and I have to wear glasses to see,” he said.

Nevertheless, Chan-Artiga found a way to continue to pursue the sciences and now teaches science at NP3 High.

Chan-Artiga was a student at UC Davis before becoming a teacher at NP3 High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. He also minored in Education. He was also an avid rock-climber during college.

During his time in college, Chan-Artiga worked part-time in an array of jobs. However, his focus remained on getting a degree. Once he graduated, he completed his teaching credential program at UC Davis.

Like everyone else, COVID-19 has affected his pastimes but when Chan-Artiga is not at school he is usually reading, cooking, or talking with friends and family on the phone. He also likes to swim and go on hikes. His favorite foods are pasta and he also loves vegetables.