Mrs. Dennise De Arce, a new 9th grade English teacher, is glad to be back at Immaculata-La Salle High School because of her overwhelming passion for making a positive change in students’ lives.

Mrs. De Arce graduated from La Salle in 1997. She was in school at the same time as a few of the other teachers on staff, including Mrs. Davila, Mr. Fernandez. Mr. Ilizarbe, and Coach Vuono. She was taught by both Mr. and Mrs Crotty!

De Arce has continued to actively participate in the school as she enrolled two of her children to the institution; one graduated in 2018 and another who is currently a junior.

She has been teaching for a total of 10 years. Before becoming a high school teacher, she was a special education teacher with a strong suit in the English language.

“Since a lot of the students I worked with had learning disabilities, it just pushed me to continue to get my certification in English,” said Mrs. De Arce.

She took her involvement in Immaculata-La Salle a step further this year through her decision to come back to teach English for the freshmen. She teaches English I regular and English I standard.

De Arce shows a tremendous passion for her students and making sure they take something from what she has to offer them. She also spends time after school helping the football players with English in their after school study hall.

Mrs. De Arce, when asked what her favorite part of teaching was, responded without hesitation: “making a difference in a student’s life. I love the fact that I get to see how much the student grows.”

She is ecstatic to be back to her roots, this time taking the place of the teachers that once taught her.

“Walking down through the hallways, seeing some of my old teachers, and just seeing how everyone is so united,” she said. “It brings back a lot of memories.”