Acceptance
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1990s
Overall high school experience
8/10. I loved being with friends, the routine, having a place to go to each day. I was not academic, but I loved my time there. Some of my teachers were awesome and I looked forward to their classes.
Grades in high school
C's and below. Only my Senior year did I really start to earn all A's and B's. Took me 3 years to learn how to be a student! But I never worried about it.... perhaps that was the problem!?
Favorite subjects
English, Psychology
Struggled with...
Math/Science, I didn't care about it. It felt overwhelming and irrelevant. I also didn't know how to mentally challenge myself. If it felt uncomfortable I didn't do it. Why feel bad? Turns out mental challenge is one of the most important parts of development (in my opinion).
Favorite extracurricular
Friends
Life since high school
Attended college / university at
De Anza, and then San Jose State
Majored in
Psychology was my major.
Post-graduate education or training
Santa Clara University- Counseling MA, NDNU-teaching credential and MA.
Places lived in US
California
Current occupations / past occupations
I'm a teacher! I've done a lot in the past- ice cream store, secretary, retail, Aide, volunteer, tutoring, metal health facilities
Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade
- Administrative and Support Services
- Educational Services
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Nonprofit
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes, my counseling background has helped with my teaching job and volunteer work. My teaching credential and master's is highly relevant to my work as a teacher!
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes, I was going to be a therapist, and then after doing my undergrad and Masters in psychology/counseling, I changed to teaching. This has left me with a very large debt, but I'm doing a job that I think has incredible meaning.
A little introspection...
“I don’t view my “mistakes” as regrets. They contributed to who I am, and I learned from every single one...I wish I had realized as a teenager that all those little things add up to empathy, compassion and a more confident self. ”
To me, being successful means...
Happiness, finding your place in society, knowing who you are and what you want for your own life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I thought success was money (income).
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Maintaining a committed relationship for 16 years. Nothing is harder than growing old with someone and still feeling connected.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
I don't view my "mistakes" as regrets. They contributed to who I am, and I learned from every single one. My biggest regret/mistake, was not knowing that until my 20's. I wish I had realized as a teenager that all those little things add up to empathy, compassion and a more confident self.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
A family friends' son died in a car accident when I was in 7th grade. I realized how quickly we can lose people, people who shouldn't have left so soon.
wanted to make sure my life would be about me being my best self (on a interpersonal level) so that I never would regret causing harm to others. I try to be calm and empathetic to all those I come across. You never know when it might be someone's last day. Let's be kind to each other.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Midtown and University were my favorite places to go.
