It has always been a dream of mine to attend USC. My mother is an alum from the School of Education, and I was raised in USC culture — visiting campus, attending football games, everything. Thankfully, the MAT@USC made my dream come true.
I started the MAT@USC with the Fall ’10 cohort as a full-time student on a single subject (ELA) credential track. My expectations for the program were high, but nothing compared to the experience I received. From day one, I have felt empowered by the subject matter, readings, discussions and phenomenal professors. Not only did this program prepare me to be a competent and confident teacher in a diverse classroom setting, it helped me discover who I really am as an African-American woman, mother and agent of change. I have never felt so empowered in my life. At the conclusion of every class, I always looked forward to the next.
Even though the MAT program provided me with all the support I needed to succeed, this journey has not been easy. I am a single parent of a now six-year-old son. I was a teenage parent and have played the role of both parents for his entire life. Balancing schoolwork, spending time with him, keeping an active role in his education and maintaining a household are very challenging. Both of my grandmothers were also seriously ill at the time I entered the MAT@USC. One had severe dementia and the other had stage-four terminal cancer (I found out shortly after starting the program). My grandmother with dementia lived with me, and I had been taking care of her for a number of years. Things were pretty hectic in my house and life nonstop.
With the support of my family, the MAT@USC and professors, I was able to succeed in the program with a 4.0 GPA every quarter. Before starting my very last quarter in September, I lost my grandmother. I really doubted my ability to finish, even though I was just one quarter away. Instead of quitting or even taking a break, I knew my grandmother would want me to finish, so I decided to complete my last three classes. Now I am at the end of my journey. I have finished strong (with another 4.0) and already have a job teaching at-risk youth upon clearance of my credential.
Choosing to become a part of the MAT@USC was one of the best choices I have made in my life. It was hard from day one, but no matter what your obstacles are, success is still possible. If I did it, you can too. Fight On!
If you’d like to know more about how MAT@USC can prepare you to become a teacher in California and make a difference in your local community, contact our Admissions office at 888.MAT.1USC or email us at matadmit@usc.edu.
