BLOG #4 Where do I start??

If college writing classes have taught me anything it is that my opinions are marvelous things that belong nowhere near my assignments. Writing has always been my weakness and it is mostly due to being restrained from contributing my ideas to the assigned subject. Now that I think about it, that way of writing resembles the way I am in person. I rarely, if ever, give my opinion on a subject unless I am asked to share. I believe writing an op-ed will prove to be a great personal challenge that I am looking forward to. The structure and rules of an objective essay are so ingrained in my head that I could barely imagine what a subjective peace of writing would look like. 

In order to surpass this hurdle in my head, I found that the op-ed about middle and high schools starting later in the morning was very helpful. Right from the start, the article appealed to me because I currently work at Mission Bay High School and the change in start times would affect my programming. That alone showed me the importance of catering to your audience and how to keep them reading. I found that The Times Editorial Board made a convincing argument with the use of statistics, informative pros and cons, and even ended the article with a reasonable solution/option. Although the concept of writing a subjective op-ed was difficult, I found the examples to be an extremely useful resource. I realized the subjectivity portion of the op-eds is tiny compared to the amount of supportive information and facts I have to incorporate to support it. 

Another source that I found helpful was Allena Tapia's article, Learn What an Op-ed Article Is and How to Write One. Allena breaks drown writing an op-ed into six tips and she does so in a way that simplifies the transition from objectivity to subjectivity. I found this article to be more helpful than the others because the six tips resembled the outline of a five page essay. The more familiar I can make the process of writing an op-ed the easier it will get. The six tips are:

1. Own the opinion-know what you're writing about and your motive
2. Start with a hook-personalize the issue to keep readers interested
3. Aim Correctly-know your audience
4. Back it up-evidence and support
5. Follow all the rules-cut word count, stick to one subject, no passive sentences
6. End with action-tell readers to support something

Rule number three is definitely one I have to dedicate some time to. The audience you choose can determine the effectiveness of your op-ed. This became clear to me after reading the article, Across America, Latino Community Sighs with Relief  by Daisy Hernandez. I understand the point she is trying to make and although it was written in 2011, her concern is the same if not more relevant now that Donald Trump is president. The sentiment she portrays is familiar since immigration issues hit close to home. Regardless, I can't help but notice Hernandez drastically limits her audience to Latinos. Not only does she exclude much of the population of readers, Hernandez minimizes the severity of the Tucson shooting which I found off-putting of her whole article. Despite what I feel about Hernandez's article, what holds true is that the choice of an audience can make or break an op-ed's effectiveness. 

BLOG #3: Where I'm from

I am from the humble town of San Pablo, Zitlaltepec where my mother took her first steps.
I am from the land of warriors Coahuila, Guerrero where my father took his first breath.

I am from the bordertown of Tijuana, Baja California where my parents felt as close to home as they would ever get.
I am from the U.S/Mexican border my parents crossed in search of a better life.

I am from the violent streets of Logan Heights that my parents moved away from in order to ensure a better future for my siblings and I.

I am from the neighborhood of City Heights where I first attended school and began my immersion into American culture.

I am from Spring Valley where I lived most of my life and grew up with what felt like a thousand cousins in an enclosed community.

I am from Lomita Village where we moved into a house of our own and witnessed as all the great family moments turned it into a home.

I am from Temecula where I pursued work in my brother-in-laws tile company to help my family pay the bills.

I am from Lemon Grove where I can finally focus in school and work towards my goal of becoming a teacher where I hope to make an impact in student's lives.

I am from a collection of addresses that each form a chapter in my life and influenced who I am today.
I am from wherever life takes me next and I am comfortable with the uncertainty because where I've been has prepared me. 

BLOG #2: "Much" faking till you make it

In the journal, "Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics", James Paul Gee states, "A Discourse is a sort of 'identity kit' which comes complete with the appropriate costume and instructions on how to act, talk, and often write, so as to take on a particular role that others will recognize" (3). The way I was raised and the values that were instilled in me created the Discourse that I present to the world. Every aspect of my being, from the languages I speak to the way I dance,  I assimilated from my tight-knit family like a rite of passage. My Discourse had everything to do with me being hired at Arc and much more to do with why I am still working there. 

Constructing a superb resume and answering the interview questions efficiently got me hired at Arc. The color of my skin, being bilingual, and sharing a culture with the students enabled me to connect to the Latino population quickly. Most importantly, being respectful, understanding, and open minded helped me become successful at my job at Arc. 

It is now my fourth year at Mission Bay High School and it is funny to think back at how it was when I first started. I was hired as a Program Leader to coach soccer in the after-school program. Although my resume stated I had years of experience coaching a club team , the reality was that I played recreational soccer on occasion and I had a few YouTube videos on my belt. It was here that I needed to mushfake the Discourse of an experienced coach who knew how to handle a group of teenage boys. For starters, I felt I had to look the part so I bought some Adidas gear and a whistle from the 99cents store. I also started watching more YouTube videos in order to learn some drills. I am still dumbfounded at how none of the kids caught on to my inexperience. I recall staring at my team going in a sequence of circles and thinking to myself that it looked nothing like what I had seen on YouTube.

Nevertheless, it was the bond that I created with that first group of boys that paved the way to more opportunities in the after-school program. My ability to relate to the student population made me an asset to the program and soon after I was running more clubs and participating in adventure trips. The best part of the job is that it actually doesn't feel like a job and I have the privilege of working with amazing students.

My day 1's

Presently, I have taken over as the Site Coordinator and I am responsible for every aspect of the after-school program. It is my job to run programming that promotes career awareness, college readiness, and offers enrichment opportunities for all students. It is my responsibility to hire professional staff and independent contractors in order to carry out the best programming possible for my site. I have had to place a great amount of effort into my current Discourse because I represent the school and our program. Although my position has changed, I will always remember where I started and why I continue to do what I do for my students. 

(More pictures with the other programs 👇)

Kayaking adventure trip

Field trip to UC Irvine

Last year's soccer team

Our hip hop dance team at the IMIN Showdown

My leadership council (Best one in the after-school programs)

Surfing Adventure Trip

BLOG #1: Paz means peace. Peace is everything.

Mi abuelita Paz

The earliest memories I have are those of my grandmother caring for me and always being there for my family. At her 90 years of age, she continues to be the matriarch of our family and the greatest influence in our lives. The family values she has instilled in us are the reason we remain unified despite the different paths life has given us.

All her grandsons

One of the countless reasons I love my grandmother is the way she leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Fortunately, her way of being respectful, attentive, and empathetic has become a part of me. I place extreme value in bringing peace of mind to those I care for, as well as maintaining it in myself. I believe that there is enough uncertainty in the world without me adding to it. For this reason, I find it necessary to be transparent so that people may know the real me and where I stand. Thanks to that form of approaching the world, I have met many amazing people and created long lasting bonds. 

My students

There is no way, shape, or form that I could ever repay my grandmother Paz for all that she has done for my family. The best that I can do is to continue to emulate her way of being so that she can always be a part of me. I am thankful for her teachings because they have shown me that the key to happiness lies in being selfless and achieving inner peace.  Life seems more purposeful when you can share your happiness with the world. I hope that I may achieve that through these blogs and learn from the experiences of others ✌

(Reasons for my happiness in a couple pictures 👇)

My gf and I at my grandmother's birthday

Picture with the in-laws

My 💓 Veronica

Our crazy puppy Oreo

My sister Rain, niece Helen, and nephew Noah

The strong women in my family 🙏

Family picture

My Compadre and his family