THOMASVILLE — Sometimes, people search their entire lives for their life’s purpose, but that’s not the case for Thomas County Central High School Spanish teacher Anthony Paulino. He found his calling through his love for language and family.

“My original application was to teach automotive engineering,” Paulino said. “However, that did not work out, and I was offered the Spanish course to teach. I took it and fell in love with it.” 

Paulino was born in Belize and came from a family of educators, including his grandfather, who taught in hard-to-reach villages for 63 years. However, Spanish was not Paulino’s first language, as Belize, located in Central America, is the only English-speaking country in the area.

“To enjoy a vacation and understand what was going on on television programs, we had to learn Spanish because all broadcasts came from Guatemala,” Paulino said. “I fell in love with the language, and it was mandatory to take it in high school.”

Paulino has a certificate in automotive engineering from the Belize Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education Spanish and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Valdosta State University.

He’s taught at TCCHS for 16 years. Paulino remembers his road to getting the job well.

“I was looking for a teaching job,” he said. “I attended about 13 interviews and was not offered a teaching post. I came to find out it was because of my dreadlocks. (So) I cut the locks off and went to three interviews. Two of those interviews were at Moultrie and Thomas County.”

Paulino had two calls before he even got home, one from each school offering him the position.

“I chose TCCHS because of the atmosphere and family-knitted environment, and it was closer for me to commute from Valdosta, where I was living at the time,” he said.

As an educator, Paulino believes it’s his duty and responsibility to educate his students on his course’s content, but his job does not end there. 

“I believe that a part of my duty is also to inspire and support my students in reaching their goals by building their self-confidence and having them establish a sense of responsibility and independence and acquire long life skills,” Paulino said.

Paulino’s students benefit from his dedication and willingness to help them in school and the world.

“He cares for our education, and he pushes us to go far in life,” senior Zoey Bracewell said. “He makes sure that every student understands that they are capable of achieving anything they set their mind to. Mr. Paulino never gives up on a student. No matter how much they may fight and push, he always makes sure that he pushes every student to do their best.”

Junior Kenyetta McCloud appreciates Paulino because of his interaction with students.

“He interacts with his students daily,” McCloud said. “He gives out speeches concerning the overall status of his students’ grades. This shows he cares about them and wants them to succeed.”

Many students go to him for advice or support. Junior Gracie Moore has been on the receiving end of Paulino’s wisdom.

“He has helped me through several situations,” Moore said. “He always told me, Cloey, and Ashlyn (two of Moore’s friends) not to put our eggs in a basket for one person because they will break them.”

Bracewell experienced his kindness when she had a horrible day, and Paulino noticed.

“Mr. Paulino pulled me to the side to make sure I was okay and took me to a room where I could be alone while I pulled myself together,” she said. “This meant a lot to me because he noticed I was hurting, and he allowed me to be alone rather than let the whole class witness my breakdown!”

When not teaching students about Hispanic cultural events like the Day of the Dead, Paulino likes to immerse himself in other cultures.

“I love watching Asian movies,” he said. “My greatest pastime is music. I play the guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums, congas, and bongos; however, I cannot read music. In my younger years, I was the bass guitar player in a band. I also love to cook.”

Paulino has been married to his wife Karen, who also hails from Belize, for 23 years. She taught at Thomas County Middle School.

“She has (been) and is always my fortress,” he said. “She has been there with me through thick and thin.”

And Paulino’s vital piece of guidance to his students reflects the same focus and drive he utilizes: always do their best at whatever task given to them. 

“‘Be patient and persevere because the success of your dreams is dependent upon your determination to pursue them,’” he said. “‘Your background and where you come from do not matter; you can be successful. Being hardworking, humble, and kind does not indicate weakness. Those are the keys that will open doors to success.’”