The EOC is there because a lot of kids hear those letters and their anxiety rises, he explained. When students repeat for 175 days that the test is easy, by the time it rolls around, he believes it helps alleviate their anxiety.
He also modified the viral “six/seven” hand motion among the teens, which doesn’t have any real meaning, to “four/three,” where students place their hand over their heart showing four fingers, then three, signifying the letters in “love you” to address bullying. Rabelo believes that the usage of simple, repetitive messages helps instill positive thinking in his students.
During his time at FIU, he credits the personal attention and supportive teachers to his approach to education.
“My teachers were very supportive. I was already a dad, I went from class to my job, to my second job. It was challenging; I learned to harness a lot of my skills regarding time management and executive function,” Rabelo said.
Rabelo’s classroom management is built around movement, using kinesthetic learning to keep students active and engaged. His approach is so effective that students often arrive to class early, giving him extra teaching time. Often when he finds a few extra minutes in class, he excites the kids by asking, “Who wants to learn about money?” During these moments, he leans into teaching them practical life lessons focusing on financial literacy, delayed gratification, and compound interest.
Every morning around 4:30 a.m. he messages parents to inform them of what their child will be learning that day, encouraging them to continue the conversations at home.
Rabelo doesn’t only leave his imprint on his students but his community as well, working on initiatives including Blankets for the Homeless and Step Up. His Teacher of the Year recognition is validation of his lifetime commitment to education and service.
“Everything starts with faith,” he said. “I pray He gives me the thoughts, ideas and words to inspire them. I’d like the students to remember what the experience in my class made them feel — to feel limitless, to believe in best outcomes, and to know if they’re willing to do what others won’t, the world is theirs.”
He plans to use his platform to focus on social, emotional, and mental health in teaching, which he would like to incorporate in universities, while also advocating for teachers. Additionally, he would like to dedicate three years to “rewiring” elementary students to incorporate positive thinking using manifestations, so when they enter middle school, they understand that changing their perception, is how they change their reality.