I am currently a substitute teacher with Denver Public Schools (DPS). I work mostly with high school students and I have returned to college taking night classes to earn my BS in Biology. After earning my degree, I plan to enter the University of Colorado Health and Sciences Center’s Physician’s Assistant (PA) program. Once I become an established PA, I wish to return to the public school system and mentor inner city kids who are interested in careers in the medical field.
I had originally pursued my BS in Biology when I began attending the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder in the fall of 2008. Unfortunately, I was forced to withdraw in January of 2010 in the wake of the market crash when my funding was discontinued. I held a 3.5 GPA in my science courses upon departure. …show more content…
My first year was spent as a special needs paraprofessional and this is my third year as a substitute. I entered education with a desire to help kids from backgrounds similar to my own. I am an African American who grew up in a poor inner city family with an alcoholic father until I was 14 years old. I believe that my background may have contributed to the fear and lack of confidence I initially felt entering adulthood related to pursuing a career in the sciences. My parents didn’t attend college and lacked the experiences and abilities necessary to guide me in a manner that would have instilled the confidence, direction, and discipline required to successfully pursue such a career.
Today I frequently encounter poor, minority students, eager to succeed but lacking sufficient guidance to instill within them the discipline and mental preparation required to achieve their academic and career goals. Their teachers and counselors are available, but time for one on one interaction is limited due the size of the student body and the unique needs of many enrolled when compared to their suburban
I had originally pursued my BS in Biology when I began attending the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder in the fall of 2008. Unfortunately, I was forced to withdraw in January of 2010 in the wake of the market crash when my funding was discontinued. I held a 3.5 GPA in my science courses upon departure. …show more content…
My first year was spent as a special needs paraprofessional and this is my third year as a substitute. I entered education with a desire to help kids from backgrounds similar to my own. I am an African American who grew up in a poor inner city family with an alcoholic father until I was 14 years old. I believe that my background may have contributed to the fear and lack of confidence I initially felt entering adulthood related to pursuing a career in the sciences. My parents didn’t attend college and lacked the experiences and abilities necessary to guide me in a manner that would have instilled the confidence, direction, and discipline required to successfully pursue such a career.
Today I frequently encounter poor, minority students, eager to succeed but lacking sufficient guidance to instill within them the discipline and mental preparation required to achieve their academic and career goals. Their teachers and counselors are available, but time for one on one interaction is limited due the size of the student body and the unique needs of many enrolled when compared to their suburban