A Circuitous Route

/ It was the tennis courts at Gunn. /

My time in high school

Attended high school in the
1980s

Overall high school experience
9/10. It was filled with friends, activities, choir, track team, Interact Club, art, games, and learning.

Grades in high school
A's and B's.

 

Favorite subjects
English, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Visual Arts

Struggled with...
Math. Total hell. I just didn't understand it and no one since my 7th grade math teacher at Wilbur ever explained anything.

Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation

Life since high school

“When I was in high school, I thought I had to do what was expected, in the right order, and on schedule to be successful. Now, thirty-ish years later, I know that the fact that I took a different path (put myself through college, graduated in my early thirties) means that I have a true understanding of what’s important. I value that journey.”

Attended college / university at
Attended San Diego State, but graduated from San Jose State

Majored in
Child Development

Post-graduate education or training
I got my teaching credential from National University.

Places lived in US
California, New Hampshire, Wisconsin

Current occupations / past occupations
I am a fourth grade teacher in the end of my 18th year. Before that I was a classroom aide for 2 years and a preschool teacher for 4 years.

Industries I've worked in
- Educational Services

Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes, my university prepared me as did my experience as a preschool teacher, aide, and student teacher.

Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
I always knew I wanted to teach. For the last 25 years, that's what I've done. 

A little introspection...

To me, being successful means...
Living a fulfilled, balanced life where I make a difference.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
When I was in high school, I thought I had to do what was expected, in the right order, and on schedule to be successful. Now, thirty-ish years later, I know that the fact that I took a different path (put myself through college, graduated in my early thirties) means that I have a true understanding of what's important. I value that journey.

My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
As stated, I put myself through SJSU and my credential program, which makes me truly value it, and I've been teaching for 18 years.

My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
My biggest mistake was not attending community college first before I went to university. I would have had a more solid foundation AND wouldn't have so much student loan debt now.

An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
After [high school name omitted], I went to San Diego State and ended up living down there for 10 years. After a break up from a verbally abusive bf, I moved back to the South Bay. It was hard at the time, but the best move I've ever made! 

My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto

It was the tennis courts at Gunn. My bestie and I played all the time!