English as a Second Language Teacher

The pivotal factors motivating my entry into the education field are deeply rooted in the impactful experiences with educators during my formative years. Their exemplary dedication to the pedagogical craft, coupled with a genuine concern for students, served as a profound inspiration that ultimately led me to pursue a career in education. Reflecting upon the influence of these individuals fills me with a profound sense of gratitude and blessing for the invaluable education they imparted.

Throughout my professional journey as an educator, I have had the privilege of encountering colleagues who consistently embody qualities of encouragement and upliftment across all facets of the educational landscape. My mentors, in particular, transcended the mere transmission of knowledge; they demonstrated a sincere care for the well-being of their students. These impactful experiences have significantly shaped and enriched my educational career.

Expressing appreciation for the mentorship and positive influences I have received underscores the importance of cultivating a supportive and nurturing environment within the field of education. The combination of dedication to the pedagogical craft and a genuine concern for student welfare mirrors the values instilled in me by those who have profoundly influenced my educational journey.

Teaching is the ability to reach a student where they are at and take them to the next level. I believe teaching is possible when the learner is willing and excited to learn. What I try to do with my students is to meet them at their English level and see where they are in their native language and be able to roll that knowledge into the English language. To be able to see my student grasp the grammar, comprehension, the confidence of speaking, the ability to listen with full understanding is an amazing feeling in it’s own.

I just feel I am planting a seed and look forward to each student flourishing to their highest potential. By implementing conversations from their background knowledge they are able to connect to the world around them. It also allows me to connect to their world and connect to them and build fortifying relationships. By establishing these connections they are able to incorporate the English language into conversation, writing and everyday use.

Social Worker – Child Study Team

My journey into Social Work, and later education, was shaped by personal experiences within my family system and the systems within the broader societal context that I grew up in. I initially ventured into Social Work because the issue of addiction and its associated challenges affected my brother during my formative and teenage years and, at the time, there was an evident lack of resources for addressing these issues in the schools and community. As a youngster, I also experienced and witnessed the detrimental effects of a one-size-fits-all approach to education where struggling students faced punishment and public shame if they did not meet academic expectations. This ignited a desire in me to be a support for those facing difficulties in the educational system. Each new step I took in my education increased my awareness of different needs experienced by students and broadened my perspective on what a positive learning environment could look like. The international lens I gained in graduate school fueled my desire to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.

As a Social Worker on the Child Study Team, my role is to conduct Social Work assessments, provide support services to students, develop individualized educational plans (IEPs) for classified students, monitor progress, and work collaboratively with the team to support academic, and social-emotional growth within the school environment and beyond.

In my capacity as a Child Study Team Social Worker, I seek to cultivate trusting relationships with students and their families. I am eager to understand the various facets of student development and family dynamics, the external factors impacting their school performance, and the supports in their natural environment that can be utilized to make a difference. I feel grateful to be able to help guide families to the necessary resources that foster school success.

Bringing an openness to cultural humility, teamwork, a genuine passion for the work, a profound sense of service to humanity, my faith belief, and an unwavering hope has helped me to work meaningfully with the students. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to do so.