I was born and raised in the St. Paul area, splitting my childhood years between the East Side and Oakdale. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I majored in History & Social Studies Education and minored in Geography. I started teaching in Saint Paul Public Schools in 2012 making stops at Wellstone Elementary and Highland Park Junior High. Finally, in 2014, I found a home here at Washington Technology Magnet School where I have been teaching high school scholars since. I began teaching my favorite subject ever, 10th grade Human Geography, in 2014 and started teaching an AP version of the class in 2015. I also started teaching 11th Grade US History in 2015 as well. I have been the coach of the Boys Middle School Soccer team since 2016, winning the City Championship in 2017.

When I am not at school, I enjoy watching soccer, especially Minnesota United FC (GO LOONS!), spending time with my wife and two sons (ages 7 and 1), playing board games and hiking. I also greatly enjoy learning about the world and its people, usually by listening to at least 3 podcasts a day or by watching YouTube documentaries.

I am proud to call the Hamline-Midway neighborhood in St. Paul my home and try to bring that neighborhood, and others where my students come from, into class work as much as possible. Becoming a master geographer starts with simply noticing and thinking about places and spaces and St. Paul neighborhoods are perfect environments to start this practice! You can often find me wandering through the Midway inspecting alleyways, parks, and shops dragging along my family on Geography adventures.

My favorite thing about Washington is how much I learn about the world FROM THE STUDENTS. Whether my students come from Como or Cambodia, Payne Avenue or Pennsylvania, each student brings a unique life experience that enriches my day and the classroom.

The best way to get a hold of me is through email at alex.cervantes@spps.org.