Page 16 - SD Woman Glace Ziperovich Issue

Women of Distinction

there had to be a better place York with a friend. During this
for me and if I wanted to make trip they met some women
a good life for myself, I had to who came from different
leave Brazil.” countries. As the conversation
At the age of 23, Glace progressed, she found out that
made the decision to leave they were teachers. Glace had
Brazil on her own and pursue always wanted to teach but felt
a life in the United States. it was an unlikely career for a
“When I came, I did not speak foreigner who had just learned
the language at all. My first the language, but after meeting
step was to attend school so I these women she realized that
could learn English. I found it if they could do it, so could
to be quite a difficult language she. Glace went back to school
to learn. I knew if I was to suc- to get her bachelor’s degree
ceed here, I had to be fluent, so and then continued on to
I worked really hard to master obtain a master’s in Education.
the language.” After graduation Glace worked
Once Glace decided to as an assistant teacher at Mira-
change her life, she knew that mar College to gain teaching
she had to be fierce and not let experience. In a span of over
anything stop her. “I feel like 10 years, she taught ages pre-
I was always a fierce person school to college all over San
because I didn’t think about Diego, venturing from North
the consequences. That's what County to Miramar. Glace
I tell people. If you think too loved teaching and especially
much, you don't do it you just enjoyed seeing the faces of her
have to go for it. Even when students light up when they
it comes to travel, I can go learned something new. She
anywhere in the world know- was not a traditional teacher.
ing that I’m going to find a She loved finding ways to
way to survive and flourish. If involve her students in every
somebody tells me that I’m not aspect of their learning. To a
going be able to do something
casual observer walking into
Glace it makes me want to prove her classroom, it was often
otherwise.”
hard to tell who the student
was and who was the teacher.
With a cousin living in
Ziperovich the Bay area, Glace decided Her strategy with her students
was rooted in her belief system
to head in that direction. The
youngest of three children, her
and everyone should learn,
family was fearful of having that everyone should teach —
Fierce and fit for life! their baby leave the country. including herself.
Never one to be stagnant,
“They are very proud of me
now because of all I have ac- it was at this point that Glace
By Judith A. Habert complished. My siblings look decided that she wanted to
up to me since I had the guts change directions and start her
Photos by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions to make such a major move by own business. “I am always
myself.” up for a challenge and so I
G lace Ziperovich truly which was not an easy child- rived, she met her ex through loved fitness so I decided that
A year after Glace ar-
decided to take the plunge. I
Glace grew up in Brazil
a friend from school. Glace
knows what it means
I could combine two of my
to be fierce and fit. It’s hood. “Brazil is known as a was married for 19 years and favorite things, fitness, and
not only her company’s name violent country. I have seen has one son, Gabriel. “I knew teaching.”
but it easily describes who she it all. I was surrounded by all I needed to be successful not Once again Glace was
is and how she has managed types of violence. It was only only for myself but for my back in the role of student
to get through a life that has by the grace of God and my son.” Glace decided to go back earning all necessary certi-
repeatedly tested her strength many prayers that I did not fall to school. The impetus for this fications so she could be the
and positive mindset. prey to this violence. I knew decision was a trip to New best fitness expert and provide

16