CAMILA MENDEZ
Essays
Reflecting on my goals
As I reflect on my learning experiences while pursuing a Master's in Education program, I realize how significant it has been to review my initial goals and consider the different milestones along the way. Looking back, I can now see that the purpose was always there, waiting for me to find it.
When I moved to the US in 2014, I found a new passion: teaching my native language to kids, adults, and college students. Initially, I became a Spanish instructor teaching small groups and one-on-one students around the Detroit Area. Then, I started working as a Spanish tutor and teacher. Back home, in Colombia, I also worked in Kumon, a math and reading program where I witnessed students succeed through an individualized learning method. Years later, I moved to Canada to study French and English, with two very distinctive cultures in Quebec and Ontario. During that time, learning a foreign language, I felt the calling to teach.
Before the pandemic, I had the opportunity to teach online, and one of the aspects I loved the most was creating something new every day. Putting together Google slide presentations with specific lessons, interacting with students through social platforms, and exploring more possibilities for teaching and learning gave me the motivation to look for a program where I could grow in the education field and begin a new career path. I enjoyed helping students become successful at language learning and creating lessons for them; however, I knew I needed to take another step to become a better teacher. That is when I decided to apply for my Master of Arts in Education program.
In my personal statement, I mentioned some specific goals related to my work and experience:
As a Spanish teacher, I was looking for:
- New strategies to help learners in the process of language acquisition.
- Improving my teaching lessons and creating engaging content
- Supporting students through digital tools and social platforms.
As a creator:
- Expand my horizons and combine my background in communication and journalism with other opportunities as a curriculum development or instructional designer.
Throughout the courses in the technology and learning concentration, I have gained a deeper understanding of the uses of technology, explored my skills as a designer, made lessons accessible to all learners, and promoted equity in the classroom. During the program, I developed better strategies for virtual teaching and delivering effective instruction. I learned other methods to help students become proficient in a foreign language, analyze multiple ways to assess students, and bring innovation into my teaching practice.
Moreover, I learned how to challenge myself, go beyond and implement new ways to communicate a message effectively, understand the importance of compassion, reflect on students' uniqueness, and transform my thinking.
My goals have not changed, and I am grateful for the accomplishments I have already achieved; however, I would like to add a new goal to my list: Motivate students to find purpose in their learning despite their obstacles, background, or mindset as I continue learning from students, other teachers, and my own experiences.