Emotional scenes unfolded in Dalías as José Gabriel Lirola, a teacher who, after 36 years of service and nearly three decades at the IES Ciudad de Dalías, is hanging up his chalk. The teacher was met by a corridor full of students and colleagues applauding him in gratitude, a moment encapsulating a life dedicated to education.
Lirola's vocation, influenced by his teacher mother, led him to dedicate his life to education, starting with primary school children and progressing to teaching Language and French to adolescents. His approach always prioritized understanding people, a quality that has characterized him during his final days at the institute, where the academic future will continue without his daily presence.
Throughout his career, he has witnessed educational evolution, from chalkboards to digital whiteboards and from notebooks to mobile devices. However, his commitment to innovation to foster student participation and learning has remained constant.
A notable example of his work is the school newspaper Daliito, launched in 1999. This project, which has published over sixty issues, has served as a platform for hundreds of students to develop their curiosity and writing skills, telling local stories and traditions. Lirola views the project's continuation after his retirement as one of his greatest satisfactions.
“"I have always enjoyed the relationship with children and young people."
The director of IES Ciudad de Dalías, Pablo Fernández, described José Gabriel as "a fundamental piece" and "the soul" of projects like the school newspaper, emphasizing that his legacy will endure in the memory of the educational community.
In this new chapter, Lirola does not plan to slow down. He maintains strong ties with the social and cultural life of Dalías, serving as the senior brother of the 'Hermandad de San José María Rubio' and actively participating in local traditions, which will allow him to dedicate more time to these aspects of his life.
