A Conversation with Alum Irma Jaramillo

Holy Redeemer alum Irma looks back fondly on her time at the school, where she spent her entire elementary and middle school years, from preschool through eighth grade. The foundation she built there continues to guide her personal and professional journey today.

Life at Redeemer: Pushing Limits and Building Castles

Irma cherishes many memories from her time as a student, noting that every staff member at the time made a positive impact. One teacher, however, stands out for truly pushing her to grow: Ms. Ilov. Irma remains grateful for the support and encouragement she received, which instilled a lifelong appreciation for learning and personal development.

The academic environment at Holy Redeemer was unique and engaging. Irma recalls the excitement of celebrating Pi Day, a creative approach to making math both exciting and memorable. Another highlight was a team project involving building castles, which allowed students to apply classroom knowledge in a collaborative and tangible way. Frequent field trips to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) also provided valuable, hands-on history lessons.

Irma credits the school with shaping her character and academic determination.

Holy Redeemer taught her the importance of valuing her faith through every stage of life and fostered a strong appreciation for education, shaping her into a determined individual who pursues her goals relentlessly.

Journey Beyond the Classroom

After graduating from Holy Redeemer, Irma continued her education, ultimately building a meaningful career path in applied behavior analysis. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, followed by a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. She is currently completing her supervised hours to become a board-certified behavior analyst.

The foundation from Redeemer provided the confidence needed for these challenging next steps. Receiving both positive and constructive feedback on her work as a student helped her believe in her own abilities. This early confidence was crucial during graduate school, where the demanding curriculum sometimes led her to doubt herself. In those moments, she recalled the lesson of perseverance learned in elementary school when challenged to read higher-level books. That early experience taught her that hard work pays off and challenges can be overcome with persistence.

Full Circle: Service and Community

The sense of community at Holy Redeemer remains strong for Irma. She is a parish member and regularly attends Mass at Holy Redeemer.

To today’s students, she advises: take your education seriously, but enjoy the journey. She encourages current students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to appreciate the truly special community they are a part of.

If she could speak to her younger self, Irma would offer reassurance: “Believe in your abilities more. You’re capable of more than you think and the challenges you face now are shaping you for the future. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try new things and trust your potential.”

For Irma, being an alum means being part of a community that instilled the importance of faith, education, and resilience. She lives out "the heart of a disciple" every day by serving others with compassion and patience in her work within the ABA field, advocating for the needs of children and families, and always leading with kindness and integrity.