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My Birth
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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My Life Journey with two Languages
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First Day of School
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. -
First Grade , The goal to Read
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. -
Second Grade, It was fun to learn
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!!. -
Third Grade, A challenge to overcome!
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. -
Fourth Grade, A Journey of bad behavior!
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. -
Fifth Grade, A Surprising Grade To Remember!!
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, -
Sixth Grade, A Journey of two languages
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. -
Eigth and Ninth Grade Best Years of Middle School
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. -
Eleventh Grade
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. -
College 2005, Last Year to enjoy
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. -
First English Teaching Learning Experience
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. -
My English Certification Journey
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. -
Bilingual Certification at Sagrado 2012
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.
