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Maria Garibay

Professor Burris

EDU221

6 September 2020

Educational Autobiography

My earliest school memory dates back to 2006, when I started kindergarten. It all began

with my sweet teacher Mrs. Griffith. At the beginning of class she always stood at the door to her

classroom. Classroom five, greeting everyone as they walked in. Just before I would enter, she

would bend down to meet me at my level, say good morning and embrace me with a hug. Some

would admit their dislike to hugs, and how they would probably find that uncomfortable.

However, her hugs made me feel safe and warm inside. She managed to make many of her little

students feel that same way plus their parents. I remember witnessing her try to communicate in

Spanish to parents who did not understand English. To me, she did not always sound like she

was speaking it correctly, and honestly, she probably was not. But the fact that she would try,

showed a lot about who she was as a teacher. I was so happy to find out at the end of that year,

that I would have her as my first grade teacher too.

When school comes to mind, I think a lot about the different areas that were involved in

my prior school life. That includes: what I learned, the teachers I had, and the classes I took.

These have become fundamental aspects that have helped mold me into the person I am as well

as the one I am becoming. I am a second year college student who is very interested in teaching

Spanish at the high school level. This is because of a class I took, and a teacher who I had.
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I have always taken my education and learning very seriously. I enjoyed going to school,

and tried to keep a perfect attendance. However, I failed. When I looked sick my mom would

have me stay home, even though I would still beg to go. I was worried missing a day would

make me fall behind in my classes. Missing those occasional days did not affect me poorly. I was

always an honor roll student. I participated in class discussions, and raised my hand often. I also

found it important to be involved with the school so I joined clubs, did community service, and

attended many football games and dances. Being involved in my schools has created many of my

great memories.

In all my years, I have been at public schools. The first one I attended was Hartford

Sylvia Encinas Elementary. As an elementary student, the full name of the school was difficult to

memorize. In the fifth grade I moved houses and schools. I transferred to Humphrey elementary.

I met my best friend here, and we have shared nine years of friendship now. Afterwards though, I

attended middle school at Willis. I would have to say my best years were here. My teachers were

amazing, I had awesome friends, I joined my first club, and the pep assemblies were always

something to look forward to! Finally, where I graduated high school, Perry. I can vividly

remember the sounds of the bells, and the voice of my principal speaking through the intercom.

Also, I can never forget the smell of the freshly cut grass in the courtyard. My graduating class

was almost 900 students, so one could infer that this school was overpopulated. The hallways

would become crowded, yet everyone managed to move without shoving or pushing. It seemed

like we all somehow communicated nonverbally to do so. If one took a minute to look around

they would notice laughing and talking amongst students and teachers. My teachers would say hi
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if I passed them. On Fridays, my economics teacher would bring out his speaker into the hallway

during passing periods and play some ‘feel-good’ music. Some students would be mouthing the

lyrics, and others were found head-bobbing to the rhythm of the songs as they all made their way

to class. Witnessing all of this brought me comfort, I can thankfully not recall a time I felt unsafe

here.

Throughout my education I ran into both good and bad educators. My best and worst

experiences are the ones that have stuck in my mind all these years. In the second and fourth

grade I had a teacher who seemed like she would show up just because she had to. I recall her

inordinately spending time on her cell phone for calls and texts. I also recall going up to her desk

to ask her a question as simple as consent to go and use the restroom. However, I would not

receive a response until she was done on the phone, she would have me stand waiting there. This

made it hard for students to find the courage to go and ask her anything including permission to

use the restroom, which caused a multitude of her students to have accidents. Another thing I

vividly remember is our walks as a class in a line to get to another area like the library. She

would make students hold her things. For example, one would hold her coffee, and one would

hold her bag. If she wanted a sip of her drink while we were moving, she would have the student

already holding it bring it up to her and then set it back in their hands after she had a sip. She was

inconsiderate, paid no attention to her students, and was excessively authoritative.

Not too worry, I definitely had a lot more good teachers, rather than bad. Mrs. Rios is a

perfect example of an extraordinary teacher. She was my Spanish teacher for my last two years

of high school, and everyday felt like a privilege to be in her classroom. Mrs. Rios always began

the class by greeting us, and giving us a chance to speak about things such as how our day has
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been, or what our weekend plans are. She was very interested in getting to know all of her

students. Lectures were always fun, but very informative. She was always patient, welcomed any

questions, and was open to teaching based off of different learning styles. She did not mind

changing up her teaching if it meant we would understand the material better. I fortunately got to

speak to her at a personal level, and I am sure the same thing goes for a lot of her other students.

There were many times she would pull me aside, and encourage me to go to certain events, or

sign up for specific college scholarships. She knew about some of my challenges, but always

encouraged and motivated me. I learned more than just Spanish from her. She is the reason I

even became interested in teaching. We need more teachers like Mrs. Rios.

Due to my own experiences in school I have developed ideas as to what to do and most

importantly what not to do as a teacher. As a future educator, I will not make teaching about me,

rather make it about my students. I consistently would remind myself that I am doing it for them.

I want to be the light that they need to strive for their goals and aspirations. I want to be able to

make a positive difference in education and my students. It is so important that a child feels safe

and welcomed at their school, and that begins in a classroom. In my classroom, I would leave no

space for judgement. I hope my future students come to feel that I am there for them, whether

that be having to do with teaching or not. I know, as a college student there is so much left to

learn about being a ‘good’ teacher, and I will earnestly take in all I learn and put it into practice.

Every child deserves a teacher who wishes to do more than just teaching a lecture.