As a teacher education student, you’ve had experience in real classrooms from your very first semester. Tell us about a particularly memorable experience you’ve had so far. When working with my students, I like to encourage them to be dreamers. I am usually very quick to ask students what they want to be when they grow up. I do this not with the intention of putting pressure on my students, but rather so that I can encourage my students and remind them that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. During my practicum experience in the spring of 2020, I remember asking a student about their hobbies and interests. Eventually, I asked them my go-to question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The student responded that they would likely just work on a farm when they were older because that is what their parents did. I responded by asking whether that was what they actually wanted to do. The student informed me that no, they would prefer a different career but that nobody in their family had ever attended college and that acquiring a college education was simply not in their cards. My heart broke in that moment. I found it so sad that this student thought they couldn’t pursue their dreams because they didn’t think college was within reach for them. I told that student about my background, about how my parents were Cuban immigrants. I then told them that just because my parents couldn’t pursue college educations didn’t mean that I couldn’t. My dream was to become a teacher and growing up, I worked hard in school to be able to attend college. I told that student that this was possible for them too. I let them know that they had what it took. I began to notice a change in that student; they started putting in an effort like no other into their schoolwork. I complemented them on this, and they responded to me that they were putting in the work necessary to pursue their dream of going to college one day. I hope that they are able to accomplish that and more! Moments like that make a career in education all the more worthwhile. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? By far, the best advice I have ever received is to be kind always. You never know what someone else might be going through. This is why I strive to lead with kindness and compassion. Treating people with kindness has the power to make a small, positive impact on others and might even turn their day around. I especially try to keep this advice in mind when I’m in the classroom and working with other teachers and my students. Cultivating a classroom environment in which kindness overflows allows for all to feel respected so that students can excel in school. What are your plans for after graduation? After graduation, I’d like to become an elementary school teacher and teach first grade. After a few years of teaching, I could see myself returning to graduate school to perhaps
20 | THE TORCH - COLLEGE OF EDUCATION MAGAZINE
study school psychology or educational leadership. However, after graduation, my main goal is simply to focus on establishing myself as a teacher and giving my all to my profession. I am so looking forward to teaching! What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a teacher? Teaching is a worthwhile and rewarding profession. If you’re considering becoming a teacher, be wary of who you go to for advice on the matter. The majority of people you encounter will tell you to steer clear of the profession. They might tell you about the negative aspects of teaching, discourage you from the profession, or even worse, tell you that you are capable of being something “better.” I have encountered this time and time again. If teaching is something you truly feel called to, don’t let anybody discourage you from it. We desperately need intelligent and passionate teachers. Listen to your own desires and spend time volunteering at schools to confirm whether teaching is something that you could really see yourself doing. n
