It all started that first day of kindergarten, as my grandma took a picture of me in my blue skirt and Barbie lunch box that today would start the rest of my life. We waited for the bus to come pick my brother and me up. That summer we made the decision to attend public school. From that moment, I knew my life was going to change, now I was going to the same elementary school that my dad had attended. I got on the bus with the confidence to start my education the best I could.
My experiences that happened throughout K-12 schools, I say were pretty generic, nothing crazy happened. My education started in Indiana, where the environment and standards were a bit different from South Carolina. The thing that stood out the most is the use of “yes ma’am” and “no sir”, this was expected to be said in school, while up North I could have said yes or no. I connected more with my teachers in Elementary school than I ever did with middle and high school. The first two years of elementary school, of what I could remember is what group did I fit in, who can I see myself being friends with. What I remember the most from elementary school were my teachers from the second and third grade. My second-grade teacher was also my brother’s teacher also my dad’s first-grade teacher. Mrs. Baylette she was an older woman, was allergic to milk. When doing multiplication tables, if you got them all right within a span of a month or, so she and the student teacher would take you out for dinner. With my
I went to the same elementary school from kindergarten to 5th grade, Suncoast Elementary School. My brother, my sister and I all went to Suncoast Elementary school from k-5th. My sister is still in elementary school, but once she gets out she’ll either go to Gulf Coast or Powell. My brother, my sister and I all had the same kindergarten class room but always had a different teacher. At that school my brother would hang out with the people in the office often so when I got there they all knew my name and was extra nice to me. This is only about my experience from kindergarten through 3rd grade.
I remember the very first day of school, I felt isolated and misunderstood. When I got there all eyes were on me, looking at me as the new kid, I was sweating in the cold. I felt like going back home. In a classroom full of 7th graders, students were
As I grew up, I had to start school, I went to a private preschool called Montessori. Finally the significant day came, I finally switched to a public elementary school named Worthington Elementary School. There would be a lot more kids and I would not know anybody. I was really edgy. When I trudged into the classroom, I saw a lot of people that I didn’t know. My teacher, Ms. Thaler, knew that I was new to the school so I had a helper to tell me where everything is and how to do things. For example, on the first day I had no idea what the pledge of allegiance was! Eventually, I memorized the words and the meaning of honoring the flag. My helper, also late became my best friend and she still is to this day.
What work, activity, or educational experience has best equipped you for work on public policy? Please describe how this experience has impacted your personal growth and your view of the world.
My time spent in elementary school was filled with new and exciting experiences. Starting public school meant being able to meet new friends and teachers, and learn about the world around me. I was nervous to begin school, but once I was comfortable in my new environment I created many great memories I hope to cherish for many years to come.
After our family has stop growing, we moved three times until finally we found our perfect home. Growing up with a mother who works in school, my sisters and I had a taste what would school be like at a very young age. I remember going to my school running around and going into teacher class rooms and playing with their toys. I also remember once I was able to actually attend pre-k at the age of three! After that experience I was so ready for school! As a child I wasn’t say much my mom tells me
My 4-6 grade years were very different from a regular kids 4-6 grade. Most kids were all in the same school with all their friends and same teachers but me I was moving from school to school. It wasn’t really bad because I knew people at each school I went to but things would have been better if I stayed in one school with all my friends and didn’t always have to make new friends and meet new teachers etc.
My overall educational experience at West Los Angeles College was great. I have met professors and counselors that changed my life. They believed in me before I believe in myself. Those mentors have been encouraging and supporting me unconditionally. I dream that one day I could have the chance to make a difference in the life of a student like those heroes did. Being involved in the community have supported me tremendously in my journey. As an immigrant, a low-income family and a mom, without the support of programs like the EOP&s, I wouldn't be able to achieve what I have accomplished in my
Everything in my house was labeled, and my mom would talk to me so I could learn how words were said and sounded. At 2 years old, I would go up to people and introduce myself, going so far as to spelling my name for them. Because of this, kindergarten was an interesting time. My teacher went to my mom and said “We aren’t really sure what to do with her at this point. She’s already reading and writing, and can do basic arithmetic.” Long story short, my parents were paying for a private school to entertain me all day. Being as young as I was, I didn’t realize anything was different from normal. I thought that everyone could do what I was
When I began 8th grade, I moved to a private school. This switch changed my perspective on how I would approach my schoolwork. I worked with a better attitude because I did not want to disappoint my parents and waste their money.
My own personal past educational experience to date has been a learning journey for me. Before I became a nurse I started out as a Certified Nursing Assistant I then shortly after that I obtained my CNA II. I worked as a CNA while in school until I was accepted into a nursing program. First, I obtained my Licensed Practical Nursing degree then obtained my Associate Degree Nursing. I feel that each journey from becoming a CNA to a LPN then an RN helped prepare me with a basic foundation in education and training for each journey. With each journey the education went more in-depth and in-detail than the previous. Education is learning theory no matter if you have a foundation on the subject or learning it from scratch. In my training, I feel that with each higher education level I was trained for more complex skills. When you train to learn new skills you learn to do something instead of knowing how to do it. In my personal opinion I believe that you put your education to use with your skills which helps ensure safe and effective practice in any profession. In this day and age with the evolving technology and nursing innovation, it is imperative for a nurse to keep up their skill level and purse education to keep up with one’s profession or for advancement.
My educational path has been filled with up and downs, it seems like it’s been a long journey with no end in sight. Like most people, I have been in school the average twelve years and have taken the further step in attending college. It is no surprise that I have had the typical school experience. However, there are always parts of someone’s life that aren’t just black and white. The unique obstacles that I have endured make me who I am today. A large portion of life experience can be credited to all my years in school. From the start of elementary to my days today here at VCU.
It was September 2000, I first attend an elementary school in San Diego. It was very rainy day and my heart was also raining because I was so upset. I met my principal and he assigned me to kindergarten classroom because I was way behind compared to my ages. I was fourth grade when I was sitting with those kindergarteners. I was so shamed to study with those little kids so I promised myself that I will get out of this classroom soon as possible.
Receiving a higher education has been a lifelong goal for me. All my life I wanted a job saving animals, as I got older I knew being a veterinarian is my all-time life objective. Although, I am currently a veterinary technician I need to achieve a higher educational background to completely reach my goal in life. Having a college degree gives me the nostalgia that I long for; being able to say that I’m in college achieving my goals as becoming a veterinarian is gratifying to me. Being a role model to my daughter is also extremely important; having her see that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, she will see that life is difficult and there will be constant road blocks but with determination and hard work success is within
American society values higher education. College provides many opportunities for developing a variety of social networks, both formal and informal. Obtaining a college degree will be such a valuable and