The Town Hall of Tomares has named the old Municipal Nursery after Emilia Tubío Herrera, the site of various social services. The plaque was unveiled by her daughter at an event presided over by the mayor.
The former Municipal Nursery building in Tomares, located on Españoleto Street (in the Las Almenas neighbourhood), is now named Emilia Tubío Herrera, the teacher who influenced generations of students in the municipality. The Town Hall unanimously approved this distinction at the plenary session on 18 February 2026, which was realised in a naming ceremony presided over by the mayor, José María Soriano.
The honouree, born in Fuentes de Andalucía in 1913, was one of the first national teachers by competitive examination in the province, a title she obtained at just 18 years old. In 1948, she arrived in Tomares to teach at the old Tomás de Ybarra school, where she spent most of her career. There, she earned the affection of students and families for her dedication beyond the classroom.
A building with a social vocation
The named building, which for years served as a municipal nursery, now houses the Municipal Women's Information Centre (CMIM), the Early Childhood Care Centre, and the Educational Guidance Team. In other words, a space dedicated to children, women, and education, very much in line with the work the teacher carried out.
During the event, Mayor Soriano emphasised that Emilia Tubío "not only taught but also gave love and helped anyone inside and outside the classrooms." He added that this is a recognition "more than deserved for an unforgettable person who devoted her life to others."
"There are people who leave an indelible mark, and Mrs. Emilia Tubío Herrera was one of them. Many will remember her as a beloved teacher, not only for what she taught but for the affection she gave to her students and for always being willing to help anyone, inside and outside the classrooms. From today, a very important municipal space for Tomares will bear her name."
Her daughter, Emilia Caracuel Tubío, was responsible for unveiling the plaque alongside the mayor. She was accompanied by her granddaughter, Marta Martínez-Darve Caracuel, and several former students who did not want to miss the tribute. The scene, filled with emotion, reminded those present of the importance of keeping alive the memory of those who built the community.
A life dedicated to teaching
Emilia Tubío, the eldest of eleven siblings, balanced work with studies from a young age, attending classes at night. On 31 January 1931, at the age of 18, she obtained the title of national teacher by competitive examination, an achievement she always remembered with pride. After passing through La Rinconada, she settled in Tomares in 1948, where she remained until her last years of teaching at the San Jacinto school in Seville, retiring in 1977.
Those who knew her highlight her close and committed approach to teaching: she cared about her students' personal circumstances and maintained constant contact with families. Her method, focused on the holistic development of girls, was ahead of educational models that would become widespread decades later. She passed away on 12 April 1997, but her memory lives on in the municipality.
For the residents of Tomares, this tribute represents a gesture of justice towards a figure who contributed to the education of several generations. The building, now visible with her name, becomes a daily reminder that quality teaching leaves a mark. The next time a resident walks down Españoleto Street, they will see the name Emilia Tubío and perhaps smile at the memory of that teacher who, as they say, "taught with her heart."
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