Now Living a Dream I Never Knew I Had

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My time in high school

Attended high school in the
2000s

Overall high school experience
8/10. I started at one High school, had a terrible experience, then transferred to the other and had the time of my life!

Grades in high school
B's and C's. If I enjoyed what I was doing, I did well. If I struggled, I really struggled.

 

Best subjects
Foreign Language, Math, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science

Struggled with...
History, until my junior and senior year I really was taught "textbook history" which made it difficult for me to enjoy and apply myself to it.

Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation

Life since high school

“Growing up my dream was to be a firefighter, since I was two years old. When that goal seemed less realistic as I got closer to finishing high school, I was not sure what I wanted to do. Now I am an early childhood educator and I absolutely love what I do!”

Attended college / university at
Foothill.

Majored in
I've been taking my time getting my AA in Psychology

Post-graduate education or training
I became an early childhood educator.

Places lived in US
California

Current occupations / past occupations
I worked in food service, child care, sales, and now education. I have also volunteered with church activities such as religious education and outreach.

Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade
- Educational Services
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
- Accommodation and Food Services

Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Parts of it yes. I think until now, much of what I have done since high school has been more reflective of social skills than actual education. Both of which I experienced growing up in Palo Alto.

Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Growing up my dream was to be a firefighter, since I was two years old. When that goal seemed less realistic as I got closer to finishing high school, I was not sure what I wanted to do. Now I am an early childhood educator and I absolutely love what I do!

A little introspection...

To me, being successful means...
Doing something that you love so much that it makes you excited to get up every morning!

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I didn't see when I was younger that you can't achieve success without passion.

My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Becoming a teacher has taught me that you can have lasting affect on the lives of others, while doing something you love to do. 

My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
Wasting time on people who did not care for me the way I cared for them. If anything that taught me never to put anyone else before yourself. 

An unexpected event that changed my life and how it impacted me
My father was sick at one point when I was younger, and it taught myself and my family that there are options everywhere, you just have to look for them. We were in a bit of a financial bind at that time, but we were able to utilize scholarships so that I could still do the things that I enjoyed like sports and extra-curricular activities.

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