I am a Mexican immigrant who came to the United States twenty-five years ago. Like many immigrants, I left my hometown with the hope of fulfilling my dreams—one of which was to earn a master’s degree from a foreign university.

In 1996, I graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico de Morelia with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems. I began my professional career at ICATMI as a Computer Instructor, primarily teaching adult learners. Because my undergraduate curriculum was broad in scope, I explored various professional paths. While serving as Head of the Public Relations Department at CREFAL, an autonomous international organization, I came to understand the importance of being bilingual. At that time, my English proficiency was very limited, which motivated me to pursue formal language study at the Hansa Language Center in Toronto, Canada. Although my studies there were brief, the experience strengthened my determination to continue developing my English skills.

In 1999, I moved to Texas, got married, and took on many new responsibilities. While navigating financial challenges and the adjustment of my legal residency status, I worked in various jobs to support my family. One of my strongest personal traits is my open mind and passion for learning, which led me to explore a new professional field—beauty services.

I graduated from Champion Beauty College in 2003 and earned my cosmetology license, working in the beauty industry until 2016. The flexibility of this career allowed me to be actively involved in my daughter’s education, an experience that further strengthened my interest in teaching and learning. In 2008, I also attended San Jacinto College to complete the ESL (English as a Second Language) program, continuing to invest in my personal and academic growth.

In 2017, I joined Channelview ISD, initially working as a substitute teacher and later as a tutor. Through these roles, I reconnected with the field of education and discovered my passion for teaching young learners. Although it took time to find my true calling, returning to education felt both natural and deeply fulfilling.

In January 2023, I began my master’s degree in education at Lamar University. The program was both challenging and rewarding, providing me with a renewed perspective on teaching and learning. I embraced the COVA framework (Choice, Ownership, Voice through Authentic learning opportunities) as a core part of my teaching philosophy and learned to use technology as a catalyst to enhance student engagement and learning.

Immediately after completing my master’s degree, I enrolled in an Alternative Certification Program (ACP) at ACiT. Preparing for and passing the required exams demanded hard work, discipline, and dedication, but I found the process both meaningful and motivating. I continue to set new goals for myself, and as an educator, my greatest aspiration is to make a lasting difference in my students’ learning experiences—empowering them to become self-directed, confident, and lifelong learners