From Mexico City to Alamo Heights
Making a Forever Home in ‘09
By Elizabeth Bobbitt | Photography by Taylor Lane
At eight years old, Dulce Resendiz and her family relocated from Mexico City to Alamo Heights. “We exchanged our condominium in Mexico City with a family at Les Chateaux on Broadway. In the beginning, it was just a vacation spot for us, but then my parents decided we should try the schools. My brother loved the middle school, so we stayed,” Dulce says.
When Dulce started fourth grade at Howard, she found vital support within the Alamo Heights school system. “I didn’t know any English, and it was a very difficult change. Alamo Heights was a great school for us. It was very helpful as we navigated immigration procedures and the language barrier. We are thankful because they helped us a lot,” Dulce says.
After leaving San Antonio to attend Texas State University and to study Fashion Illustration at Parsons School of Design in Paris, Dulce made her home in San Antonio soon after her son, Beni, was born. “I love the kindness of the people here. Ever since we arrived in 1980, this community has been patient, loving, and respectful of others’ differences,” Dulce says.
An Artist’s Journey to a Career in Bilingual Education
Before attending Texas State University, Dulce enrolled at the former San Antonio Art Institute located at the McNay Art Museum. “When the Institute closed, the artists based there became involved in developing the Blue Star Arts Complex with sculptor Bill Fitzgibbons. Back when it was just one warehouse, we displayed our art down there,” Dulce says.
Dulce’s art is inspired by the natural world and her family’s Mexican heritage. “I paint or draw flowers using a lot of mixed media, and I love photography and ceramics. When my father passed away, I visited Tepeji del Rio, where he was born, and I painted cactuses and flowers that I saw there, ” Dulce says.
Before becoming an educator, Dulce opened a jewelry store at River Center Mall. “My love of art and design has become more of a personal creative outlet, because I chose to go into teaching. I love teaching, and this will be my fifteenth year in education,” Dulce says.
Today, Dulce teaches Bilingual Education at Oak Grove Elementary in North East ISD. This year, she is teaching the Pre-K dual language course. “I don’t plan to teach at a different level. I love Pre-K! I learn a lot from my students and their parents,” Dulce says. Recently, Dulce was awarded her Master Teacher Certificate from the Texas State Board of Education in recognition of the personal growth of her students in Bilingual Education. “I am very proud to be a Master Teacher,” Dulce says.
A Globe-Trotting ’09 Family
Dulce and her son often travel the world together, keeping Alamo Heights as their home-base. Whether they are sightseeing, visiting family, or watching the Spurs in the NBA playoffs, they like to be on the move. “During the holidays, Beni and I make sure to plan a trip. We travel each year to Paris (where Beni’s father lives), Israel, and Mexico,” Dulce says.
“Soon after Beni was born, we moved to Acapulco, because I wanted Beni to learn Spanish. Since then, traveling has always been an important part of our life together. My family really discovered our love of the Alamo Heights area through our passion for travel,” Dulce says.
After living in Northwood, Dulce and Beni returned to 78209 so that Beni could attend the Alamo Heights Junior School. “He loved it, and he graduated from Alamo Heights in 2019. Last year, Beni earned his master’s in Strategic Corporate Communications from the University of the Incarnate Word, where he was president of the student body. In August, he started a new job as a legislative correspondent in Washington, D.C. I am extremely proud of him,” Dulce says.
Despite their busy travels and the family connections they have in Mexico and further afield, Dulce remains firm in her decision to live in Alamo Heights. “This is our area. Beni and I love it, and I won’t ever leave. There is no place like 78209. We take care of each other here,” Dulce says.
