Meet Dr. Guadalupe Mireles-Toumayan | University -Teacher Supervisor & High School Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Guadalupe Mireles-Toumayan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Guadalupe, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is that I used underestimation as a strength to reach my goals. During my doctoral studies, I faced constant criticism, this actually helped me grow. I had a choice, either dwell on that criticism or build mental strength. I decided not to give the power to other people to dictate my self-worth. By facing adversity and doubtful approaches was the best way to reach success.

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 declined an opportunity to teach at Harvard University in order to have a greater impact right here in my own community. I am proud of providing my students with a voice and to teach them to embrace their culture with pride. To be able to recognize the importance of empathy, dedication, and their awareness of diversity and the richness of each culture. In order for me to get to where I am today was not easy. Born and raised in Mexico provided me with a rich cultural background, but sadly speaking Spanish in the USA was seeing as a deficit instead of an asset. I want the world to know about my own story that in order to be successful you need determination. Dreams will come true if you put your mind into it. “People without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. – Marcus Garvery —

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in and love : WEST HOLLYWOOD
The Chinese Theatre opened up in 1927
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Formosa Café, opened in 1939, famous artists will sometimes pop into the legendary Café.
The grove shopping, dining, mix of retail, restaurants, and entertainment in an open-air.
The Schindler House at the MAK Center for Art and Architecture. The structure, which was completed in 1922 and is an early example of California’s indoor-outdoor style of architecture.
The beloved Book Soup bookstore in West Hollywood, with readings and signings by top writers from around the world.
West Hollywood because is LGBTQ-friendly, with excellent restaurants, hotels, and shopping on every corner. The restaurant The Abbey is one of the most famous gay bars and nightclubs in the world, there is high-end cocktails, and good food.
Santa Monica Boulevard, the center of WeHo’s LGBTQ community, is packed with bars, clubs, and award-winning restaurants

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my mother Estela Jara Avina and to my fathers’ memory, Jose Mireles. Thank you for raising me in a loving house filled with love and life lessons that helped me and my sisters realize we cannot lift a rock on our own, but that together we can move a mountain. Ines Mireles, Thank you for raising me in the USA during my teenager years in a house where education was valuable and considered an important part of my future. Our values and upbringing held me together despite all the struggles and adversities. Shoutout to my daughter Estella Sunshine Mireles Toumayan. For the last few years of my studies, she also sacrificed as much as I did. Estella, I am very proud of you and what you will accomplish in life. Our efforts will serve as incentives for you to continue achieving your educational goals. Shoutout to my husband, Samuel Toumayan. You have patiently supported me through so many struggles and giving me the space and time to do what I needed to do. Stepping in and doing so much to take care of our home and Estella, our daughter, when I was too tired or caught up with conducting research or writing it. My sister-in-law Sylvia Toumayan for her constant hospitality in Boston Massachusetts. You went beyond your duty as a relative to support my academic goals. My dissertation Chair Dr. Mira Pak. You have always been my source of inspiration. I have always looked up to you. Whatever I am today is because you believed in me. Thanks to you, I have not crumbled under pressure. Thank you for all the roles you have played in my life. And to all of those not mentioned here, but who are in my heart, I deeply thank you for your undivided support, encouragement, and most of all for believing in me.

Shoutout to my amazing students LATINX LEADERS Arely Gil, Perla Prado, Susana Nuñez, Luis Omar, Shoshana Greenspan, Gladis Caldera, Alison Aguilar, Cesar Rocha and the outstanding Licenciado Mario Mendez. It was unexpected and very touching to be nominated for ShoutoutLA. Thank you for thinking of me and helping me expand my efforts to provide opportunities for my students to have a voice, embrace their culture with pride, and to learn the importance of empathy, diversity and the richness of each culture.”

 Con mucho cariño, Dr. Guadalupe Mireles-Toumayan

Instagram: dra.mireles

Facebook: Doctora Mireles Toumayan Guadalupe

Image Credits
Dr. Guadalupe Mireles-Toumayan Estella Sunshine Mireles Toumayan Samuel E. Toumayan Ines Mireles Estela Jara Reyna Mireles Lily Mireles Soraya Fallah Sahar Albannai Sima Navid Felicia Conlan Maria Arienza Francesca Paz Arely Gil Susana Núñez Gladis Caldera Shoshana Greenspan Jovana Perdomo Tanya Casillas Castro