Personal Essay for Honor College

Hello, my name is Ricardo Alvarado and I reside in Los Angeles, California. I am 26 years old and have been living alone with my partner for about 4 years now.  I was attending a community college seeking a degree in nursing and took several courses towards that degree. After taking some science courses I had realized that that degree wasn’t for me, in which discouraged me in continuing school. I was attending college off and on. I started to work at a school not thinking anything of it. I had my mind set that I was going to go to college to become a registered nurse. I took most of my general education courses and had started taking my science courses. With the first two courses that I took I was overwhelmed with how intense the courses were with all the extreme terminology introduced. I then realized after working at an elementary school for 7 years now and loving what I do made me change my major and pursue it in education.

After it taking me 7 years to realize that pursuing a career in Educational Studies would be the best option, encouraged me to sign up back to school and continue my education. I am currently working two part-time jobs at the same school as a paraprofessional and an after school site manager. Working 10 hours a day and not having the energy to drive to a local college and sit and listen to a lecture would be exhausting. Continuing school online I found would be the best option to attain my goals. I want to become a 4th/5th teacher and help students understand that learning is fun and not tedious. With California working through common core and overwhelming these students I want to be that teacher that could keep these children heads held high and have them realized that knowledge is the key to success.  Learning is the foundation that one needs to attain in order to get through life because without any knowledge life is going to be tough.

“Learn to teach, teach to learn.” - Ricardo Alvarado

I believe that it is important for educators to learn about early literacy, if we don’t teach it or show it, then it seems that we can’t neither show nor teach it. One has to be taught to learn and how to use that towards others. Taking chances can help one prepare themselves for what’s to come. In order to be successful in life you have to be prepared for any obstacles to overcome by taking risks and chances whether succeeding or failing. It would be a life lesson learned in which would make one strive harder to reach their goals or anything in particular.    

Feel free to use some of this in the essay.