Alondra Hernandez

Elder Services

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“Everybody needs a little sprinkle of Alondra.” That’s the motto Alondra Hernandez, a preschool teacher at Commonwealth Children’s Center in Boston, lives by. Hernandez, who was born and raised in Boston, started her teaching career at ABCD before being hired by Commonwealth Children’s Center several years ago.

Hernandez is joined in the classroom several times a week by ABCD Foster Grandparent Violet Bracero. Bracero, who is blind, helps out with everything from setting up cots for nap time to tying shoes to giving directions. Braceo also recently assisted with teaching a series of classes on the five senses, even bringing in books written in Braille as a teaching aid. The two have built a strong bond since Bracero first stepped foot in Hernandez’s classroom back in 2022. “I consider her a member of my family,” says Hernandez.

Moving forward, Hernandez wants to continue to be a role model for her students and help them learn how to express their feelings in a healthy way. “This award shows me that my hard work is being recognized and gives me motivation to continue on this path,” she says.

Outside of work, Hernandez and Bracero keep in contact through frequent walks and phone calls. On a recent trip to ABCD Headquarters, Hernandez remarked that she sometimes forgets Bracero is blind. In response, Bracero smiled and simply said, “Alondra, me too.”