About

    Why the name “Tough Cookie Mommy” you ask?  It’s simple, I have been through it all and will get through it all, God willing.  Your experiences make you the person that you are so you should not regret one single event in your life.

    I am a native New Yorker who was raised in Spain until the age of 8.  Since my return to the States I have made my life in New York City and I love it here.  Don’t let anyone lie to you, New Yorkers are great people who will never judge you and accept you at your best and at your worst.  Also, if you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere in the world.  It is an unforgiving city where weakness is not tolerated and diversity is the word of the day.

    It is my privilege to be the mother of two sons, ages 18 and 15, currently.  They are the most important people in my life and everything that I do is for their benefit.  Both of my boys have unique and distinct personalities.  My older son is sensitive and playful and my younger son is tough and independent.  I am greatly enjoying watching them blossom as individuals, as well as interact with one another.

    My husband and I have been married for over twenty years.  I couldn’t have asked for a more caring and devoted husband.  He truly is my soulmate and we are connected on every possible level.  We take great pride in raising our sons with integrity and strong family values.  It is our hope that they will become positive and productive members of society with strong ties to their family.

    I am also a careerwoman.  I possess a Bachelor’s of Arts degree with a major in Spanish Language and Literature and a double minor in Education and Multilingual Journalism from CUNY.  Additionally, I also possess a Master’s of Science degree in Education in Literacy Studies, grades 5-12 also from a CUNY school.  I spent 16 years as a Middle School Literacy Specialist for the NYC Department of Education.  Three years ago, I embarked on a career as a high school Literacy teacher in the South Bronx and fell in love with teaching at the high school level!  Currently, I am the Literacy Coordinator and English Language Arts Department Team Lead at a wonderful high school in the Bronx and I love what I do every single day! Don’t let anybody tell you that teaching is easy because it is exhausting, however, it is extremely rewarding.

    I’ve recently embarked on a wellness and transformation journey by losing over 190 plus pounds naturally since June 3rd, 2019. This transformation has changed my life for the better and I am deeply committed to sharing my experiences with others as well as providing inspiration and motivation to others as they navigate their own transformations.

    These are my stories, reflections, triumphs, tragedies, comedies, obstacles, epiphanies, thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I hope that my experiences will give you some insight into who I am and maybe, make you reflect upon who you are.  You might be a tougher cookie than you think…

Comments

  1. Oh I like you already. New follower from the blog hop. Hi! 🙂 xx

  2. I’m glad we found each other on twitter!! GFC following you back 🙂

  3. Janet Krugel says

    I am so happy to have come across your site!! Another work outside the home Mom!!!!! I love this – “you should not regret one single event in your life”!!

  4. Celeste Estes says

    I am excited to have met you (via blogger)!  I am not Latina but I have a great appreciation of the Hispanic culture.  I love education as well, although the most I have done is subsitute teach and tutor.  I got my BA in Spanish and would have loved to do more with it but became a mom instead.  I now work from home as a marketer, and I love it!  Again, it’s nice to have met you.   Celeste

    • Hi, Celeste. No worries, we are multicultural here and enjoy meeting everyone regardless of their race or ethnic background. I also have a BA in Spanish. I’m so glad that you found us and I look forward to connecting with you and seeing you back here often.

  5. Love your new blog layout – A+++++

  6. Terry My Journey With Candida says

    I love your blog Maria and the name Tough Cookie Mommy, somehow just fits. I learn so much from reading your blog about so many different subjects… Spanish being one of them. Also, it is very nice to learn more about you and your family.

  7. I have lived very near NYC all my life and as tough as it is I would not want to live anywhere else. Yes, you have to have a tough streak to make it in NY–bit for those of us who are New Yorkers–we wouldn’t have it any other way! I salute you for teaching in the NYC school system and helping those kids.

  8. My sister-in-law is a teacher, and has been for 20 years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone put in more hours than our teachers!

  9. I’ve always liked your name. Really sounds like you mean business, but there’s a sweet side to it too 🙂 Glad to read a little more about your family!

  10. I appreciate hearing about your life experience. Very different from my own and sounds like you bring a similar passion to it 🙂

  11. A fellow NY’r! thanks for sharing your story.. it is interesting to learn about new people

  12. MidAtlantic Foodie says

    I enjoyed reading your about me and getting to know a bit more about the lovely voice behind the blog. I already think you’re phenomenal, but it’s always nice to know more about the writer. I love your blog and I look forward to reading more about you and getting to know you.

  13. I love following your posts and how you incorporate your family and experience as a teacher in NYC into them. I think that Tough Cookie Mommy is the perfect name because you really do capture that feeling of how your experiences shape you and it comes through in many of your posts.

  14. This is really great! I enjoy your blog and love hearing more! Thanks for sharing!

  15. I love your about! It’s always so nice to know more about the people we’re blogging with.

  16. Nice to meet you Maria and learn more about you. I could never teach kids. God bless you!

  17. TouristMeetsTraveler says

    Nice to meet you. I love your site and lucky you to live in New York City. I love New Yorkers!!

  18. Classy Kitchenware says

    I think diversity makes us stronger and closer to God. I have a BS in Medical Technology with a double minor in biology & chemistry. I am now a marketer which is certainly a completely different path for me but I enjoy it. I have a former co-worker who left the laboratory and is now a bilingual teacher. That is one tough job. Hope to hear more about you.

  19. Our family is a mixed race one and I love it.I feel that it helps to understand and be open minded about other races and cultures.I really reading you blog :).

  20. Chrissy Mazzocchi says

    I havde been reading your blog for a while now and it’s so nice to meet you. You have a beautiful family 🙂

  21. Amber Nelson says

    What a great looking family. Hope to some day meet you.

  22. I love hearing the reason behind the name. Teaching is a wonderful profession, and NYC is a wonderful place to visit. In another life, I’d have loved to live there.

  23. So happy to have found your blog – a fellow NY mom!

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