Professional Goals

Background

I began working in education when I was a Freshman at Syracuse University. As a student who received federal work study, I joined Literacy Corps at Syracuse University. Literacy Corps places undergraduate students into local schools to promote literacy. I was placed in the LaFayette Central School District just south of the City of Syracuse. The LaFayette Central School District is unique to Central New York in that over thirty percent of its student population comes from the Onondaga Nation. I was placed in two third grade classrooms and worked in the after school program. I transitioned into other roles such as substitute teacher, internship coordinator for the LaFayette Big Picture High School, and Associate Director of the Science and Technology Entry Program.

The LaFayette Big Picture High School is a non-traditional school focused on internships and project-based learning. Big Picture is unlike my schooling experience. Big Picture is student-centered. Students always come first. The philosophy of the school is that it enrolls entire families. Working at the Big Picture for fourteen years, I took on roles as an educator, project manager, social worker, friend, ally, and much more. This experience shaped how I view education. I watched as students that were labeled low achievers become high achievers when their interests were at the forefront of their learning. When these students were given grace and opportunity they were able to flourish. I believe every school should provide the same opportunity for students. Every student has the ability to succeed. This is why a long term goal of mine is to help reform education in New York State and across the United States.

To achieve this reform, I have to become a better educator and be able to design instruction that steps outside the norm. This is one reason why I chose to wear sunglasses in some of the photos I took for this website. I wanted to step out of the norm of professional photos you see. I also believe in being authentically myself in all situations and wanting to wear sunglasses was authentically me. I swear it is not because I’m slightly narcissistic.

I left working in PreK-12 education to explore new opportunities and to challenge myself as a life-long learner. Currently, I am the Program Coordinator for the ESTEEMED LEADERS Program at Syracuse University. I can now proudly say that I have worked with every education age group from preschool through college. I can also say that the skills I developed working in PreK-12 work in the college setting. Students are students. That does not change with age, or location. The ESTEEMED LEADERS Program supports students in biomedical engineering. As part of a transition into their first year, students participate in a Summer Bridge Program. This is the first place I can achieve my short term goal of using my instructional design skills. The Summer Bridge Program provides workshops and academic skill training to prepare students for their first year at Syracuse University. Workshops need to be refined every year. This practice can lead to developing a stronger portfolio that could support my long term goal of earning a PhD and eventually reforming education. Those are lofty long term goals.

Establishing this background can better explain my goals while also providing insight into my thinking as an IDDE student. I did not intend to go into education. I joined Literacy Corps because two friends of mine joined. I am the only one out of the three of us that continued to work in education. As educators, we tell our students to find their passion, sometimes that passion finds them.