Back to School Student Profile showcases a New Teacher

 

POSTED ON Sep 08, 2021

 

During the last week in August, Lizette Juarez was profiled by The Gevirtz School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The first-generation collegegoer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCSB in 2020. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in education in the Teacher Education Program.

For this week’s student profile, we turn to@TEPatUCSB Lizette Juarez, who reflects on the importance of non-dominant narratives. https://t.co/dAcWfD4fn9 pic.twitter.com/u6HBoNKgaF

— UCSB Gevirtz School (@GGSEucsb) August 31, 2021

According to UCSB, during Lizette’s undergraduate studies, she served as a tutor at a non-profit learning center in Santa Barbara and studied abroad in Santiago, Chile. Lizette also worked as a bilingual special education case manager for students in grades K-3.

In the UCSB interview, Lizette said she found it “extremely challenging” to begin her first year in the middle of a pandemic. Nonetheless, “it was a great learning experience” she added, inspiring her to pursue the education specialist credential.

“I gained a greater understanding of the importance of fostering positive relationships with my students and their families,” Lizette said.  “It also helped me grow as a teacher because I developed positive classroom management skills, time management skills, and an in-depth understanding of special education systems and best practices.”

Lizette also celebrated the contributions of her parents who came from Mexico.

“They left their home country and migrated to find a place of security to raise their children in (2 siblings and myself),” she said. “I admire my parents’ determination to maintain and honor our Mexican heritage and values, while also respecting those of the (United States). I admire my parents because they remind me to be humble, hard-working, and caring of my community. Gracias mami y papi por ser un ejemplo de un gran modelo a seguir (Thank you mom and dad for being great role models).”

Read the full interview at “Student Profile: Lizette Juarez reflects on the importance of non-dominant narratives“