San Marcos has been a place that has nurtured me, provided me with lifetime friends, and a lifetime husband as well as educated me and continues to do so after 56 years. My family and I moved from Escondido, where I was born, to San Marcos when I was 5 years old. I attend San Marcos schools from K to high school and 2 years at Palomar College. Now I can add CSUSM to my biography. I was a stay at home mom until my children were in high school, when I decided to return to school and fulfill my dream of being a teacher. I graduated from SDSU in 1987 and got my very first job as a Bilingual teacher in the Fallbrook School District. For the last 16 years I have been working in my hometown of Valley Center as a Bilingual teacher and now as a special education teacher. In my spare time I enjoy hiking. bicycling, swimming, playing tennis, traveling in our RV and reading mysteries. My passion is volunteering for the lymphoma/leukemia society as a fundraiser and participant in their annual marathons.
At the age of 63, I continue to follow my dream and continue my education. I am an immigrant when it comes to technology. Learning a new language, a new culture and living in a technological environment is a real challenge for "baby boomers". Patience is what I am asking of myself and of this course.
The university's mission statement is the format for my own philosophy of teaching. And that is to teach the whole child. I focus on each individual student and his/her educational potential through effective teaching strategies, development of positive self- esteem, and parental involvement. The most important concept that I try to recognize is the uniqueness of each student and their unique educational needs. I try to become aware of their strengths and areas of needs through continuous assessments, observations, one-to-one communication and on-going communication with parents and collaboration with all those I work with, including administrators, general education and special education professionals, paraprofessionals. Once their strengths are identified, my teaching will challenge them as well as nurture and support their areas of need. To meet these challenges, I must be creative, assertive and not be afraid to tell myself that something is not working and I will re-evaluate my teaching. I need to motivate and have a sense of understanding of the difficult challenges faced daily by my students with special needs. I have to accept the challenges of being not only a teacher but also a counselor, a friend and a confidant to my students with whom I share their educational and developmental experiences. The most rewarding aspect of teaching are the satisfaction and fulfillment I get from seeing my students grow, learn, become more self assured both academically and socially, and when they come back years later and tell me how much I helped them in school.
And that is why I am here today completing my level II educational specialist credential . According to Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." We are never too old to believe and dream.
Hi Gloria, your determination in fulfilling your dreams is so inspiring! I agree with you about teaching each student as a while by trying to meet their individual needs rather than trying to conform them to fit a stencil. Good luck with all your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool that you've been in San Marcos your whole life and it's great you are continuing your education. That takes a lot of motivation and it's awesome to see.
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