When you think of the people who have influenced Judah Christian School the most, Magaly Rogers — aka Señora — immediately comes to mind. Her impact on Judah has been far-reaching and foundational. That is why on November 18, 2023, at Judah’s 40th anniversary celebration, Señora became only the sixth person in Judah history to receive the Tribe of Faithfulness award. Clearly, Señora’s long journey as a Judah teacher is a story that must be told.
Señora is enjoying her retirement, succumbing to only occasional bouts of substitute teaching. But she recalls being hired in the early days of Judah Christian School: “I actually came to Champaign when we left Argentina. We used to be missionaries, and we settled down in Champaign. Two years passed because I stayed home with my children when they were little. Dr. Dykstra, who was the principal at that time, called me and said, ‘I heard you were a Spanish teacher, and we need a Spanish teacher.’”
Señora wasn’t overwhelmingly interested at first. She responded to the offer with a “yes, but maybe not this year.” In 1987, Señora came on staff with no pay or any incentive other than to progress the kingdom of God. She said, “I just did Spanish, two classes, for elementary.” It wasn’t until the next school year, 1989, that she came on staff as a full-time employee. All told, she served for 36 years before retiring. Even now, you will still sometimes see her at the school, teaching and leading students.
Judah’s longtime Spanish teacher spoke in detail about how Judah is different from other schools. Señora said, “It was the best experience of my life teaching.” She said, “I think what I love about Judah is that it’s not a super big school, so there’s a relationship — a very important relationship — among everyone in the Judah community. We are a family. It makes a difference that we can pray for each other and pray in class. I wouldn’t change that for anything. I could not do that anywhere else.”
Señora looked back on the early days of Judah, when only about 50 students made up the school. She talked about Judah’s growth physically and spiritually. She recalled the excitement when the secondary wing was built and the completion of the highly anticipated gym. She talked about the purpose of Judah and how that purpose has stayed the same throughout the years, even under different leadership. “You have to want to do it,” says Señora. “You have to want to invest in people’s lives. I know academics are very important, but investing in people’s lives, and seeing them become more like Christ, and growing in their relationship with Him, that is more important than anything else.”
Over 36 years at Judah, Señora experienced many different monumental moments at Judah. She recalled a revival that lasted from about 1997 to 2002, led by Mr. Pico, who was at various times principal, dean of students, athletic director, teacher, and high school basketball coach. Señora said, “The Lord put a burden on their hearts to pray for revival. They did, and the revival began in the school. A lot of the teachers came together, and the students came together. The chapels would go until 10:30 or 11:00 in the morning.”
Señora is hopeful for the future as well, and she believes that something is in the works currently. She said, “I think we might be in the beginning of another revival. That would be amazing. We just have to be faithful and keep praying. But it will happen.” She has experienced a revival firsthand and says that something similar is in the air. She believes that the power of prayer will bring a passion for God into the halls.
Señora’s love for teaching may be unmatched. She said that she teaches because her mom was a teacher, but that’s not the only reason. She said, “I teach because I love people. I love for them to know Spanish. It will open many doors. More importantly, I want people to know how great God is. I used everything that He has done in my life so that others will see what He can do in their lives too.” Señora’s genuine love for people and passion for teaching gave her the stamina for a long career. She saw teaching as an opportunity to expand God’s kingdom among young people. She had a genuine love for what she did, which is why she was able to make such a difference.
Señora spoke a lot about how knowing a second language opens doors. She recalled how her impact in the Spanish classroom has affected the mission field. She said, “I have had many students who graduate and then use their Spanish to minister in Spanish-speaking countries.” She said that Judah’s mission is way more than just being successful in academics and that we must develop all kinds of skills and abilities to serve others in the kingdom of God. She took her own skills and abilities into ministry opportunities outside the classroom by mentoring students personally. She said, “I used the ministry that the Lord gave me to minister to others.”
While Señora has had a huge impact on Judah, she has been majorly impacted by Judah herself. She said, “Judah has helped me in my prayer life, in my walk with the Lord, and in my relationships with other people.” Señora’s genuine love for Judah made it a family affair. Her three daughters graduated from Judah, and her grandkids also became Judah students. One of her daughters even came back to teach at Judah. “It was like a family,” Señora said, “with people taking care of each other. Judah has been like a second home for us. This is my church. These are my people.”
When Judah recognized Señora for her contribution to the school, to the community, and to students’ lives with the Tribe of Faithfulness award, Señora said, “There are so many good people that deserve this. There are other people that have done so many great things.” In typical Señora fashion, she just saw ministering at Judah as her job and asked nothing in return. All the people of Judah Christian School — her family — will be forever grateful to her.
—Keaton Welch, class of ’25
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