As the first bell rings, Fraline Vargas stands in the front of her classroom, her presence both steady and inviting. With a warm smile, a reassuring tone in her voice, and a cup full of Hershey kisses waiting on her desk, Vargas is ready to welcome her students. Vargas exudes a blend of passion, experience, excitement and cultural insight, all of which shape her approach to teaching. Vargas teaches freshman English and English Language Development (ELD) and has spent the past seven years of her teaching career refining her teaching ideology — one rooted in fostering diversity and connection within the classroom.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Vargas’ journey into her teaching career was shaped by earlier life experiences.

“You get island fever because you’re stuck on a rock, and you just want to go out and explore,” Vargas said. “I moved to California on my own, not knowing anyone in the state, and I put myself through college in L.A. before eventually settling down in San Diego.”

Vargas originally attended California State University, Northridge, and taught in Los Angeles before relocating to San Diego.

“San Diego reminds me so much of Hawaii,” Vargas said. “It’s beautiful here, and it feels like home.”

Working in the SDUHSD, Vargas taught at La Costa Canyon High School for four years before joining the school this fall. She was especially drawn to the school’s diversity and the opportunity to further her passion for teaching English to students with various linguistic backgrounds.

“I love how diverse it is here in my ELD class,” Vargas said.  “I have students from all over the world — places like Iran, South Korea, Ukraine and Japan. We are building our English skills together, and it creates a real sense of community.”

English is Vargas’s fourth language, following Tagalog, Ilocano and bits of Visayan — different dialects spoken in the Philippines, where her mother is from. Growing up, she also spoke Spanish with her father, who is from Spain. These experiences sparked her passion for teaching. 

“I taught myself English because my parents didn’t know much of it,” Vargas said. “I would go to thrift stores with my mom to buy dictionaries and encyclopedias, and then I’d teach myself and my parents.” 

Vargas’s motivation to become a teacher not only stems from her language journey, but also from her desire to support students wholeheartedly throughout what she views as a crucial, transformative period in their lives. 

“High school was the most difficult time in my life, and I feel like teenagers are often misunderstood,” Vargas said. “I wanted to work in high schools because I know students are dealing with more than just academics. I always tell my students that being a human being comes first, and I hope to help them build both their academic and personal lives.”

Vargas is committed to building relationships with both her students and their families. She works diligently to ensure that students feel supported in all aspects of their lives while also helping them develop a sense of identity.

“Knowing who you are and taking care of yourself is so important,” Vargas said. “When you know yourself, it’s easier to build friendships and community. I believe in being authentic and embracing who you are.”

Avery Sykes (9), a student in Vargas’s fifth period freshman English class, shares the impact Vargas has had on her school experience.

“She’s a really nice outgoing person who helps people, and seems like she wants us to succeed and be successful in life,” Sykes said. “She understands how people are feeling and recognizes that people have lives outside of school and are busy.” 

Outside of work, Vargas enjoys a large range of activities, from searching for special edition books in thrift stores to running marathons and exploring San Diego’s beauty. 

“I love taking long walks on Wednesday,” Vargas said. “We go to the farmers market and we have a picnic with our food, and it’s wonderful. At school, I am usually indoors, so I like being out there in the sun and in the beautiful weather.”

Though new to the community, Vargas brings a unique combination of structure and flexibility to her teaching. 

“I like to think I’m quirky,” Vargas said. “But I also value structure — it’s about finding the balance between having fun and getting things done. That’s how I help my students succeed.”

Xiaohan Jiang (9), from Vargas’s ELD class shares the impact of Vargas on his learning experience. 

“She is not only super friendly and kind, but she also has a lot of patience,” Jiang said. “She loves to teach students and she understands the balance between fun and work.”

In just her first few months at the school, Vargas reaffirmed her commitment to her students.

“I care a lot about my students,” Vargas said. “That’s why I came into teaching — to make a difference, not just academically, but personally.”

With a diverse background and a genuine commitment to the success of her students, Vargas is a valuable addition to the Falcon community. As she continues to settle into her new role, she will undoubtedly enrich the lives of anyone she encounters. 

“She knows what she’s doing, and is especially intelligent, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year with her,” Sykes said.