Logo
Donate
Logo
Donate

I Learned That I Love Teaching While Helping My Own Parents

Feb 16, 2018 12:00:00 AM

by Nancy Garcia

This post is part of a series by high school students who are sharing their love of teaching during #LoveTeaching week. The students participate in Educators Rising, a national organization for aspiring teachers and their mentors.
Teaching is said to be one of the most rewarding careers, and boy, were they right! The biggest reason why I love teaching is because it is life-changing. While it may not be immediately evident, as an educator you are affecting the lives of your students, as well as their families. Personally, this is something that I experienced while growing up. As an elementary student, I was a native Spanish speaker placed in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes because neither of my parents spoke English. After a couple of years and some amazing teachers, I eventually became fluent in English and was finally able to help my parents with the issues they faced due to language barriers, such as translating documents or phone calls.

Teaching My Parents

As a bilingual child, being able to help your parents with these things means the world because it signifies one less struggle that they will have to endure. Additionally, because of the dedicated educators who constantly motivated me, I was able to begin my journey here at the University of South Florida as a first-generation college student majoring in elementary education. These successes and experiences that I have had, such as studying abroad, are all things that I can now share with my parents and those teachers, and I can proudly say, “[pullquote position="right"]Thanks to you and your sacrifices, I am where I am today[/pullquote], and where I go, you go.” I use myself as an example to say that the gifts you share with your students as a teacher are sometimes multiplied over and over, and that there is power in teaching! In my case, because I was influenced by amazing teachers, I was able to pursue my goals and share these successes with my parents, who never had such opportunities. My parents were able to see all their goals and aspirations completed through me. This is something that I always carry with me into my classroom, to this day, with the hope of being able to change my students’ lives the way my teachers changed mine.
Photo by DEB, Twenty20-licensed.

Nancy Garcia

Nancy Garcia is a student at the University of South Florida. She is a 2017–2018 Educators Rising National Ambassador.

Leave a Comment

The Feed

Explainers

all explainers

  • Why Math Identity Matters

    Lane Wright

    The story you tell yourself about your own math ability tends to become true. This isn’t some Oprah aphorism about attracting what you want from the universe. Well, I guess it kind of is, but...

  • What's an IEP and How to Ensure Your Child's Needs Are Met?

    Ed Post Staff

    If you have a child with disabilities, you’re not alone: According to the latest data, over 7 million American schoolchildren — 14% of all students ages 3-21 — are classified as eligible for special...

  • Seeking Justice for Black and Brown Children? Focus on the Social Determinants of Health

    Laura Waters

    The fight for educational equity has never been just about schools. The real North Star for this work is providing opportunities for each child to thrive into adulthood. This means that our advocacy...

Support Education Equity

Your donations support the voices who challenge decision makers to provide the learning opportunities all children need to thrive. 

donate
Logo
Brightbeam Logo

Ed Post is the flagship website platform of brightbeam, a 501(c3) network of education activists and influencers demanding a better education and a brighter future for every child.

© 2020–2024 brightbeam. All rights reserved.