I think I can consider myself as an English language learner, at least that’s how I was labeled in school. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, yet raised in Rochester, New York my entire upbringing. I moved straight to Rochester, New York at age 3 and started pre-k right away. Thrown into the deep end to swim and quickly becoming an Olympic swimmer or at least I felt that way when comparing myself to the other ELL in my classroom. One of the only stories I recall from my primary years in school was one day my teacher made my mom come in because she was concerned. My mother, who has always believed in me, came right away and spoke with my teacher. Here I am thinking “what did I do?” and “am I in trouble?”
Right in front of me, the teacher tells my mother that she thinks I should be placed on medicine. My teacher did not bother to speak in private with my Mother. My mom asked why? And my explains that I finish all the word ahead of everyone and correctly and I always ask for more work, and to her, that is not normal. My mom tells her that she should probably come up with more challenging stuff for me and that medicine was not the answer to her “problem.” The day my mother defended me always stuck with me. It quickly showed me that some teachers could care less about the individual student and it showed me that my mother had my back. I have always written in the same style as if I am talking to the reader and expecting a response. I want to be able to write amazing stories and eventually my book. That would be amazing. I know how important it was for me to become literate. I want to help all of my students attain this academic success. I know I can improve my literacy skills and become a skilled teacher of writing.
Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
A Teacher. A Writer. 