Take Five with Michael Espinosa: Music Teacher at Juarez High School

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Meet Mr. Michael Espinosa, a music teacher at Juarez High School! Over the years, Mr. Espinosa has provided instruction across various music genres and programs, but has always specialized in teaching the school’s band and mariachi classes.

Mr. Espinosa has been part of the Juarez school community since joining the district a decade ago. His love for music began at a young age, when he himself was a student at a CPS school. This was where he gained his first experience teaching and helping others as a volunteer for the school’s beginner music class. Since then, Mr. Espinosa has deepened his passion for mariachi music and music education, ultimately landing at Juarez. 

Learn more about Mr. Espinosa below!

Why is Mariachi an important program at Juarez? 

What Mariachi offers students is an opportunity to play and learn all the basics of music, but with a twist: the material is more familiar to them. Juarez has a large Latino community, so the best part of the mariachi program is seeing students bring home music that their families can resonate with. This connection provides students with additional motivation to succeed in the material and encourages others to join the classroom. 

What is one of your biggest goals for your students? 

There is only one goal in my classroom. Challenge yourself every day so you become a little better than you were the day before.

What is special about Juarez?

The school community has always had a very special connection where everybody works to help students and provide them with opportunities. I feel very lucky to be at Juarez.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part is seeing students progress through their own musical journeys. I tell my students that if I had all the money in the world, I'd probably still be teaching because I love making music with them. My time learning from teachers is something I’ve always remembered and cherished, and I want to give my own students that same experience. 

What do you like to do outside of school?

Outside of Juarez, I’m still very involved with music. I'm a co-director for the CPS All-City Mariachi program, and I’m also an adjunct lecturer and direct Mariachi Fuego at UIC, a credited music ensemble for the School of Theater and Music. Aside from teaching, I play and am the musical director for a group called the Mariachi Cuatro Vientos. Spending time with family and music is a lot of what I do!