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Hello from Puerto Rico! Meet Cristina Castillo

September 9th, 2010 by

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cristina castilloHello from Puerto Rico! My name is Cristina Castillo, and I began the MAT in the January 2010 Cohort.  As the newest addition to the student blogger family, I’d like to introduce myself and offer some context about my experience as a current teacher as well as in the MAT@USC.

Prior to becoming a middle and upper school history teacher, I worked in TV production for a major cable network in NYC.  Usually when I mention this to my students, they ask me why I left a seemingly glamorous career, in a big city no less, to become (and here they tend to look at me as if I’m crazy) a history teacher in Puerto Rico, where I was born and raised.  I always respond with the truth – I left my prior job to find a meaningful career, and in the process, I discovered the place where I was always meant to be: the classroom.

My first year as a full-time teacher was the 2008-09 academic school year, and the experience was life-changing.  Not only was I back on the island I’ve always called home, but I was invigorated by the challenge of teaching middle school.  However, I quickly realized that I needed concrete and practical tools to help me become an effective educator.  Enter the MAT@USC.

I chose the MAT@USC because I love my job. I needed a program that was flexible to my schedule, but that was associated with an institution I trust and respect.  I am now halfway through the program and it has not only changed me as a teacher, but as a professional in general. This is due at least partially to the conversations I’ve enjoyed in class.

As a Hispanic woman living in a US-associated Hispanic country, I believe I have a unique perspective in the program.  I also happen to teach at an elite private school, which offers a stark contrast to the traditional public schooling in PR.  You’ll hear more about this later!

I look forward to continue the conversation and, as always, FIGHT ON!

If you’d like to know about how MAT@USC can help prepare students to become an ESL teacher contact our Admissions office at 888.MAT.1USC or email us at matadmit@usc.edu.

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  • Susan_halcomb

    Christina~Your commentary was amazing! I have taught in mostly low income schools in CA., WA., and AZ. K-12 sp. ed. and regular ed. I am thinking of finishing my Masters in Education thru USC, so these comments are very helpful! TX~Susan Halcomb

  • Susan_halcomb

    Christina~Your commentary was amazing! I have taught in mostly low income schools in CA., WA., and AZ. K-12 sp. ed. and regular ed. I am thinking of finishing my Masters in Education thru USC, so these comments are very helpful! TX~Susan Halcomb

  • Washington

    Very interesting Cristina.
    I a have been a micro lender and Real estate investor for the past thirteen years. Have an BSc. in Accounting and Technology and an MBA in Global Management.
    Its time to give back something more valuable than Gold and Silver. I sincerely believe i am on the right trajectory by enrolling into the MAT@USC program. Whats more, the faculty and Trojan academic legacy is awesome!
    Washington

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mwangati-Whenda-Bhose/100001521827325 Mwangati Whenda-Bhose

    Hello Christina Castillo:
    Yesterday, I read a little about you because I had so many people to read about. I would first like to let you know that I have been in the teaching career a good number of years, in my home country, D.R, congo/Zaire,sometimes in Kenya, Nairibi, and then presently, in Thailand/Asia. I am really eager to discover what MAT@USC program offers, I want to have access to new openings, new ways of doing things especially in teaching, I also want to meet new people in the same field of teaching career, learn from them, interact with them, may be they could also learn from me, my e-mail address is mwangati@lycos.com

  • Siman Brar

    ThanksCristina,
    I am from india. i have done M.Sc. in mathematics. I am interested in the same program. Let me know am i elligible for this program. can i apply for these scholarships? could you assist me to know about the procedure and requirments to fullfill LIke GRE and TOFEL.
    THanks

  • Amblessed Okorie

    Hello Siman, I will be getting in contact with you tomorrow to talk about the procedures and requirements with you. Glad to know of your interest!

    Best,

    Amblessed

    International Admissions Counselor

  • Alexa Scordato

    Hi Washington!

    It's great that you're so eager to give back and pursue a teaching career. Have you submitted your application yet? Let us know if you have any questions!

    Best,
    Alexa
    Community Manager, alexa.scordato@usc.edu

  • http://mushufashions.com Horace Sewell El

    Hey Christina! I admire your commitment to educating our youth. I drove a bus in New York Cith for 25 years while attending school part time. I just graduated with a BA in anthropology. I always thought that I wanted to travel to remote places in the world and study the cultures of different people. Now I am pursueing a MAT@USC because over the years I've learned that in life you don't always get what you want in life, you get what you need. I'm sure that is why we are both here in this program. All the best.

  • steven edmonds

    Thanks Cristina,
    I appreciate your information given. I have misgivings due to already having two Master degrees and being out of work, with years of experience. I felt getting a teaching degree would balance out my education and life experience as well as giving back something to the young minds following behind me. However the thought of going back to school and having to find a parking place, race around campus, sat in uncomfortable chairs for hours, just didn't move me do it one more time, even though I loved going to college. MAT seemed to give a new perspective on acquiring an education, with comfort, flexibility, and giving me the same degree as if I was living the campus life. Thanks for your comments and I trust you will be a huge success in your endeavors.

  • Elijah03

    Thanks for the insight Cristina and good luck in your new career. I have to ask, “Do you feel the cost of the program is worth the end results? Is the program really that radical, whereby, what's being taught is so 'cutting edge' from what is already being used in highly effective classrooms across the country?” Your perspective on this whenever you have the time please.

    Thanks you again for nice writeup.

    Elijah Johnson

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QK2HA3L75IFRFFLUN5GWBKFCWI Anonymous

    Hi Cristina I honored to speak to such an ambassador who honors her Profession like you. My name is Santo J. Pantina and I have decided to go to U.S.C also and complete my Masters in Education. I finished my Bachelors in Health Care Administration and I decided to complete my Masters in Education as Well. I am in the application process and I have a few more question to complete my application and start in May 2011. I would like to email you if I have any other questions, please email me if that will be OK.

  • Hayder

    Hi Cristina ,nice to meet you :)

  • Ljohnson53

    Hi Christina! Your story is truly inspiring and I am very excited about this program. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I look forward to hearing more!

  • Musofir

    Nazakothon bular urtoqlaingizmi tanishtirib quemaesizmi?

  • Pete garcia

    Hi Cristina, Nice toi mee another USC goer like your self. Hope to revolutionized the field of education. I t is nice to hear such great interests from all the students. I know you will do well and good luck in your future endeavors. Stay in touch! pete

  • Riaz Ahmed

    .Hi Cristina My name is RIAZ AHMED and i am living in italy in these days I have decided to go to U.S.C also and complete my Masters in Education. I have finished my Bachelors in Eudcation and Bachelors in science I decided to complete my Masters in Education as Well.I am in the application process and I have a few more question to complete my application and start in May 2011.please tell me can i apply without GRE and TOFEL test ok

  • Mahaeangkhut

    my mane Eang khut live in Cambodia at Angkor wat temple.
    i want too. i want ask me. you wrok group USC in USA alrealdy too

  • http://www.flash-design-india.com/ Jayati

    Hi Christina, I really appreciate your decision to choose this type of profession as a teacher . I have done my master in computer application and i also want to work as a teacher. But sometimes i am afraid that whether i am eligible for it or not.

  • http://www.kittitianhill.com/st-kitts-nevis-economic-citizenship/ Kittitianhill

    St Kitts and Nevis is an English
    speaking independent state that is situated in the northern parts of
    the Caribbean. There are two islands in this Federation, namely St
    Kitts and Nevis.

  • http://kpsglobal.co.uk/ wilson

    hi cristina thanks for sharing your journey ,as how much crazy you are about your career. The post is very nice, would also like to hear more about your workings.