I have been in educator for the last five years and it has been rewarding work to support the youth in developing skills that will lead to success. Though teaching students is a teacher’s primary task assigned, there were countless other ways that I worked to support students in growing. For example I collaborated with colleagues at the school and district level to ensure that each student has the opportunity to have their needs met. I also met and communicated with families to understand students outside the classroom. Finally, I made sure to continue my education to ensure that I had as many tools and educational strategies to support students. One educational strategy that I find valuable is servicing students’ emotional and well-being needs. The work that I did to help students emotional and well-being needs brought a spotlight on the success that I do in the classroom and from that work I was asked to be the coordinator of our program that supports students emotional and well-being needs, Advisory. As the Advisory coordinator I had to lead a team at my school but also collaborate with people around the district in order to develop curriculum that teachers would implement in their individual classrooms. I also served as a support role where I would reach out to teachers and offer support and coaching so that students needs are being met. The leadership role that began at my school was followed by other leadership opportunities to support students and our district as a whole. I have worked with our office of secondary curriculum to write curriculum and plan professional development on a regular basis. I have also served on committees where I was tasked to go out into the community and listen to what the community needed from education to turn into an action plan that will help change the lives of students.One need that I felt was left unfilled by our district was supporting students on traveling out of the state to gain life experience and to experience history in person. To help support students and fill in this gap, I founded a non-profit, Student Enriched Education - Oregon. I am the correct Executive Director of the organization in which it is my job to lead and organize trips around the state, country and internationally. I also have to manage accounts for all of our paying families for their trips. In addition, I oversee the development and growth of our organization. I am someone who is passionate about helping others through service, observation, and data-driven decision making.
