I finished my B.A. in liberal studies at the Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California. I have been active in the educational field since 2001. I worked as an instructional aid and substitute teacher for LAUSD for six years before moving to Northern California. There I worked three years as a long-term substitute and temporary Special Ed. teacher at the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Also during this time, I worked with a forum of private schools called Challenger Schools where I served as a short and long-term substitute teacher for highly gifted students.
Originally I did not plan on becoming an educator. I was seeking a job and was informed by a principal (family friend) that LAUSD was administering a test for potential employees. I took the test and, to my surprise, passed. After a spiritual conversion experience I felt compelled more than ever to pursue my education for the purpose of educating local youth, whom I consistently worked alongside.
For this reason, I decided that the MAT@USC program was for me. USC is a school for the urban community. I was attracted to this emphasis. I am a product of this unique community since I was born and raised here in South Central Los Angeles (literally, down the street). In reviewing the research being carried out by this institution I’ve noticed that it matches my own interests. Primarily, it piques my interest in the use of technology in enhancing education and the school’s commitment to equity in academic excellence among minority students. What better place was there for me to learn? I was confident from touring the program and reading the course descriptions that this institution possesses the knowledge, skills, mentor-training and technical platform that I needed to become a professional teacher.
