Authenticity and Creativity: A Recipe for Success

Our biggest influencers are those who show true character and care for others. Now in his third year at Strake Jesuit, Mr. Diego Hernandez has been influential in showing students what it means to be creative, passionate, and authentic. He has forged close relationships with students from all class levels through Strake Jesuit Educational Television (SJET) and his fine arts classes. Currently, Mr. Hernandez teaches Digital Photography 2, Digital Drawing & Illustration 2, and Digital Graphics 2. In each of his classes, it is visible that he demonstrates passion and creativity in art and the digital world.

Luke Twardowski ’26, a student in SJET, says, “[He] is a person I like to look up to because he shows me how to be a man that cares and helps others. Having Mr. H at school is a gift because he is willing to help you and is one of the clear examples of the Man for Others motto.” Mr. Hernandez has undoubtedly been a positive role model for his students. In addition, Mr. Dan Pepe, Director of Communications, says, “I think the most important quality for a teacher across all subject areas is authenticity. When you know your craft and are truly skilled, students notice and are inspired by that, and that inspiration becomes infectious... Mr. Hernandez is a wildly talented graphic artist [and], most importantly, a man of great faith who offers our students a proper context for the development and sharing of their gifts.”

His curriculum often includes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), a subject that has so much relevance in today’s world. There have been many advances in this technology and its responsible, ethical use is of increasing importance. As educators, it is now common to see students using ChatGPT and other AI tools to help with assignments. Mr. Hernandez emphasizes the importance of the ethical use of generative AI in his Digital Photography 2 class, where he asks students to take a picture of a product and create an advertisement using the pictures they captured. He guides students in thinking about the ethical use of AI technology in relation to photos and instructs them to consider their objective in using AI technology to enhance their pictures by opening discussions like: What is the goal? What is the work that needs to be done to prevent these tools from becoming harmful?

Furthermore, he accentuates that this new type of AI technology should be considered a tool to use rather than a one-stop shop that does everything. Thus, Mr. Hernandez is taking steps to ensure that our students view AI as a tool and advises them to consider its ethical use. His teaching, authenticity, and passion for his work assist in forming our students into responsible, moral young men. Mr. Hernandez has made an impact in his short time at Strake Jesuit and is a model that the students can look up to.