INTERVIEW #6: FEATURING BEATRIZ FLORES

INTERVIEW WITH BEATRIZ FLORES

Beatriz Flores is the Founder and Director of El Batey-Puerto Rican Center of Music and Dance. I met her first- when I heard her drummers- well before I saw her face, I knew she was beautiful.  Curiously peering into her performance space, I could tell she was in charge. Time froze to be rebuilt around her body’s movements. She stopped- with a flash of her perfect smile to greet me. After talking to Betty, you feel seen- you feel acknowledged- full of hope and promise. That is what Betty does; she is one of those people who fill up your spiritual cup of Cafesito.  Rightly so, one of those people – people love to know.

The face of “Betty” Flores as she is known to her adoring fans, has ushered in a new period of appreciation for OUR traditional arts and folklore across the entire city and we are grateful.

Betty Flores remains humble in her interview she says:

“As an individual being teachable cultivates humility.”

Betty’s job? To remind us, that even though we do not know the steps, we know the way because bomba runs deep in our souls, and here in Buffalo, Bomba lives at el Batey…

1.What motivated you to become an educator?

I teach an over 400-year-old oral tradition called Bomba. It has the power of lived experiences that hold incredible wisdom. The power in the stories of the people who came before us. We are the descendants of that history. This centuries-old tradition holds our history within it.  A history that encompasses all that we are and defines us as a people. This type of education gives kids the knowledge to understand and be proud of who they are.

I honestly believe that without our culture and traditions we cease to exist as a people. Being part of the Puerto Rican diaspora intensifies that belief, so the natural response is to do what we call in Puerto Rico, “hacer patria”, to be in service of Puerto Rico and of our people by preserving our traditions and culture. Yo hago patria aunque esté en la luna, that is my main driver. 

2. What was your experience like as a student?

I went to school in Puerto Rico, my memories of being a student there were great! I recall teachers were like an extension of your family, discipline entangled with love and encouragement. I was a quiet student on the honor roll and had all As except for Spanish class! Go figure! Now contrast that to my experience in the states as a teenager, the school felt like an institution where kids had no voice, there were no teachers I connected with, coupled that with the shock of the racial divide, and the violence that it breeds. It was not fun. My experience as a Puerto Rican student in Puerto Rico allowed me to thrive academically as opposed to here where I was met with a harsh institutionalized culture that left me feeling completely disconnected. I did not do well as a student and ended up dropping out. 

3. Did you like school/learning?

Yes, both in my work and in my personal life constant learning is part of what sustains and guides me. I think having a student’s heart is the key for me as an educator. As an individual being teachable cultivates humility.

4. How did your experience as a student inform your leadership style as an educator?

It is the reason why I am very intentional about building relationships, bonds, and trust with my students. Pouring love, light, and hope into them without exception.  In our classes respect is mutual. And support is not conditional. Allowing them to have a voice, to make mistakes, to have choices, to learn at their own pace is critical. Students blossom under that type of environment. Those are life principles they will learn to apply in their own path. 

5. When did you start your work as an educator and what was your role?

I am not an academic educator in the traditional sense. I began my work as a dance instructor, and this led me to discover Puerto Rico’s oldest cultural expression; Bomba. My role was and still is that of a student of the tradition. I went ahead and founded the first Puerto Rican center dedicated to our music and traditions 4 years ago called El Batey. The mission is to empower and honor our people through our music, history, and traditions. It is all about community building from the root! Our roots. 

6. What was your favorite/most informative role?

I absolutely love teaching the youth, to see them grow into actual cultural practitioners, dancers, drummers, ambassadors of los nuestro. Our music and traditions are not something that was or is easily accessible to our youth here in Buffalo, NY. And unless you come from a musical family you most likely will not grow up knowing our traditional music and folklore… All our classes range from adults to preschoolers, but our focus is the youth, programming for this very same reason. 

7. What advice do you have for educators today?

Is not about having the right class rules and rigid teaching environments to prevent behavior issues. Is about having the right relationships. Students want to know that they matter, that are cared for, and are seen. Creating an environment of community where we all are invested in each other is the goal. Being strictly tied to curriculum, policies, and procedures, is what sacrifices human connection.

8. What is your theory on human potential?

That is limitless, truly. But on an individual level, it is not attainable without an immense amount of support, resources, and interconnectedness. This is especially true for historically marginalized communities. Individualism and “hard work” alone are not enough. It is important to reach our potential. 

9. What is the single most important value/thing to keep in mind when working with students?

I think it is important to meet them where they are, rather than have certain expectations. Identify their needs, their strengths, what makes them happy, what motivates them, and work from there; that only comes from getting to really know them. 

10. What is the most important thing a student taught you?

To be honest and to be fearless.