I am a first generation Guatemalan-American raised by hard-working and devoted parents on Chicago's northwest side. I have been blessed with a supportive and loving family. In July of 2011, my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, and in July of 2015, we welcomed our second beautiful son.
My desire to become an English teacher was influenced by my family, high school teachers, and positive academic experiences, but most significantly, it has been my recurring passion to teach that led me to pursue a career in education. On the journey to realizing my true calling, I explored other career options. I worked as an account representative and retail manager for several years. Although this work experience allowed me to gain skills and knowledge that I now apply in the classroom, it did not provide me with the personal satisfaction I have found in teaching.
During the last few years, I have been profoundly changed by my teaching and personal experiences which have reaffirmed my commitment to my students. I strive to inspire and empower them to become their best selves and to live their best lives by developing their communication and critical thinking skills. I am committed to providing them with an educational experience that will not only prepare them academically for college, but that will prepare them to be thoughtful, functioning members of our society. Gilbert K. Chesterton said, "Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another." Education is more than a score on an exam or a grade in a course. It should be more than preparing students for college or the work force. It should be a profound part of students' journeys to self-discovery and to exploring and evaluating societal values because what they gain through their education becomes the next generation's inheritance.
Additionally, I love to travel. My trips have afforded me with culturally rich experiences in Central America and Europe. Although my travels are now limited by my two little ones, we still find ways to explore nature and culture close to home. I look forward to continuing my travels (once they are older) and to bringing those experiences into the classroom. In my limited free time, I also enjoy photography, hiking, and crafting.
My desire to become an English teacher was influenced by my family, high school teachers, and positive academic experiences, but most significantly, it has been my recurring passion to teach that led me to pursue a career in education. On the journey to realizing my true calling, I explored other career options. I worked as an account representative and retail manager for several years. Although this work experience allowed me to gain skills and knowledge that I now apply in the classroom, it did not provide me with the personal satisfaction I have found in teaching.
During the last few years, I have been profoundly changed by my teaching and personal experiences which have reaffirmed my commitment to my students. I strive to inspire and empower them to become their best selves and to live their best lives by developing their communication and critical thinking skills. I am committed to providing them with an educational experience that will not only prepare them academically for college, but that will prepare them to be thoughtful, functioning members of our society. Gilbert K. Chesterton said, "Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another." Education is more than a score on an exam or a grade in a course. It should be more than preparing students for college or the work force. It should be a profound part of students' journeys to self-discovery and to exploring and evaluating societal values because what they gain through their education becomes the next generation's inheritance.
Additionally, I love to travel. My trips have afforded me with culturally rich experiences in Central America and Europe. Although my travels are now limited by my two little ones, we still find ways to explore nature and culture close to home. I look forward to continuing my travels (once they are older) and to bringing those experiences into the classroom. In my limited free time, I also enjoy photography, hiking, and crafting.