Meet Cy Lopez | Math Teacher, Adolescent’s Coach & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cy Lopez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cy, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Yes, I do. My favorite quote is “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten”. My first venture was creating my own Substandard Insurance agency. I built it from zero. Many people in the industry advised me not to pursue it because nobody knew me, and I was unlikely to get any Insurance Company to sell to customers. I did not listen to the negative advice of others and continued with my plans. I rented a space at a shopping center, I fixed it, I ordered computers and desks, but I still didn’t have an Insurance Company to sell. I was convinced that I would get one. One day, I attended a networking event and met a gentleman. I told him about my project, and we talked for a while. He ended up being the owner of a well-known insurance company that was trying to enter Miami’s market, and he told me, “When you get your desks, call me and I will sign you up with us”. I called him as soon as I received my desks. He came to visit and signed me up. I kept my agency for five years, but I was not fulfilled. I felt that I needed to change paths. I came to this world to make a difference. I sold the agency. I found out that Math teachers were needed in Miami and were accepting people with any degree. Guess what, I became a teacher!. I have been a teacher for 20 years.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Math Teacher from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. From 3:30 to 5:30 pm, I am a Math Tutor/Coach. Some weekends I offered motivational workshops to parents and adolescents, I published a book, and I am writing a second one.

I love my profession. A few months after I sold my Insurance Agency, when I found out that Miami Dade Schools needed more math teachers because they had a shortage of them, and that they allowed college graduates to apply even if they had majored in something other than math, I decided to apply. My application was accepted. I took some tests, attended some classes, and I got my Teacher’s Certificate. I decided to teach at a High School after I worked as a Sub in Elementary Shcool, Middle School and High School.

While I was in the process of becoming a teacher, I took a Motivational course that lasted a few months. I learned a lot about my self, and was able to recognize my potential. I began to believe in my self. If I had realized my potential in my adolescence, how different my life would have been. A few years later, I started giving Motivational workshops to adolescents. I have been a Math Teacher for about 20 years. I just published my first book in Spanish, The title is Atrevete (Dare) I am in the process of translating it into English, and writting my second book.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I will take her to Key West to spend the first weeked. Once there I will take to different places within that specific key like museums that tell their story, Resaturants, and more picturesque places. On Sunday as we are comming back to Miami I will stop at one of my favorite bar (I can never remember its name, but I know exactly where it is). We can eat, and rest while enjoying the view.

Th rest of the week, we can go on Monday to Miami Beach to spend the day at the beach. Come back to my home and have dinner there. On Tuesday, she would probably would like to shopping, so I will take her shopping. If she does not have any plans for the rest of the week, I will continue showing her the sorroundings, visit some friends, enjoy a day at the pool, go to a concert, and a nice restaurant

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to Rafael Montilla

Website: https://youleadup.com

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Image Credits
Cynthia H Lopez