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I was born on March 29, 1980 at the Union Hospital in Fordham Road, Bronx, New York. I opened my eyes to the world at 6:01 in the morning. I weighed 7 pounds with 14 ounces and my measurement was of 19 centimeters. I am the oldest child of three. I am a American and I am Puerto Rican. My parents are Puerto Rican and I was raised with English and Spanish. Even though my parents mostly spoke Spanish to me,
since they master Spanish better. I learned English at school. -
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It was exciting, I was so happy. I can remember entering with my mother to the classroom with so much joy. The children around me were crying I just walked around the classroom exploring everthing.
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First Grade, I do not know way, but I can't remember my teacher at all. I just have light memories of sitting with titi Mandy, she taught me how to read. It was a wonderful experience, she then became a teacher; a great teacher. Mom knew little of English, so titi was my rescue. I learned so fast with her, I still even remember the songs.
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Second Grade, my favorite grade, best teacher in Elementry School. I enjoyed it so much. Poem recitals and dancing were the best. I was so enthusiastic about learning. I wanted to be in every single thing, like the white rice. Mrs. Holmes, I still remember her black skin and great smell. English and Math were so much fun with her. Enjoy the picture, it was my first Poem Recital!!.
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Finally, Third Grade, a grade of transition and big challenges. I started struggling with all subjects. I also had behavior problems because of family situations and conflicts at home. I was failing in almost all subjects. I also had difficulties with my reading comprehension.
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Wow, this was definitely the grade of bad behavior all year long especially during the second semester. Mrs. Addison would constanly call my mom, to talk about me. I gave her so many problems.Problems at home with mom and dad were each day worst to overcome. I almost failed this grade, lots of re-teaching with me was done.
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This was an intresting grade for me. I overcomed many things. My dad was far away from home in a rehabilitation program. Things with my mom were worst each day, I did not respect her. At school nothing really engaged me. Learning, exams, activities , everthing was a waste of time for me. Mr. Wilkins he really had patience with me. The surprise of the year was, that by the end of 1992, I was given a city-wide test which I pass with outstanding percentages. Mr. wilkins was really surprised,
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This was certanaily a grade of great challenges, especially those related to language, social coping and integration and self-esteem. I felt left out in my classroom, because I did not dominate Spanish. I spoke it but did not read or write it, it was frustrating for me. when I had to write Spanish, I would use cognates to compensate my writing, like different and diferente, I would write it in English. I was a hard year for me, but I learn how to read and graduated will all As.
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Through out 1994 and 1995 were two great years with English. I had a least more challenging experiences. Since I moved to Puerto Rico, everthing seemed so esay with English. i was learning lots of Spanish meanwhile I felt stuck and left behind in English. It felt as if I was not learning in English, besides what I all ready knew. But Mr. Soto and Mrs. Gonzalez made it feel different because they challenge me. At this point I used a lot of language shifting and codeswitching.
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Literature was great, I remember reading Anna Frank and Frankstein. English was not only about vocabulary and repeated drills. There was more analysis and thinking. I had the opportunity to practice more my English by oral reports and investigations, that challenge me to look for more. Mrs. Quinones was a great English teacher. I gain more and more love for Spanish, because it was the language of majority use. even though I still loved english and was eager for more.
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The Puerto Rican Experience ; Puerto Rican Literature Written in the U.S., was the last English class I choosed to study while I was at the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto of Rio Piedras Campus. I loved this course given by Dr. Maritza Stanchich. she was so outgoing, I learned so much about the Puerto Rican culture in U.S.. It was a advanced English level class. I wanted to feel challenged, I felt I was losing some of my English. Codeswitching and codemixing became part of my daily life.
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My first english teaching learning experience was great. I was an assistant teacher of a great teacher. We did lots of team- teaching. It was an outstanding experience, I learn how to do read-alouds with her and she learned from me new teaching strategies. I discovered with this experience that I really enjoyed teaching English,even though my major was Special Education. From this experience I decided that as soon as possible I would start an English certification.
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I started my English certification Journey last October, about a year now. I certanily love it. It has given me the opportunity to practice English more often, because I only used it when I went on vacations to the states with my cousins. I have also notice that I really enjoy learning and teaching English and I want to master it even more day by day. I have very little to finish this certification.
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First day of my Bilingual Certification, I was excited but nervous. It is a big challenge for me since right now , I am working as a bilingual teacher in a new Bilingual Pre-school Program and I am getting married on December. What a Journey for me, with the help of God, I am sure I can do this. Just anxious to learn and finish this certification and the English teacher certification.
