Gerardo Nava: What brings me to teaching

 Most people in life go through a hand full of schools when they make their transition into the next level of education as an individual grows. I have had the privilege to go to multiple different schools not just in my district but in a neighboring school district. Specifically, I have been to about thirteen different schools and, in my time, I've had to focus on my education and anything beyond was something I wasn't able to hold onto. I could've have grown socially but I chose to stay focused on my education and it’s a price that I believe I still live with. My need for special education was one of the reasons that I had to move from one school location to another and the idea of having to transfer made my process of learning seem robotic in attitude. I didn't engage with much of the individuals when I did I was looked as bit of an outcast, so keeping to myself seemed natural. I assumed I had to worry about myself and myself only because no one else seemed to matter...at least that's how I felt it had to be that way.

I was bullied during my experience through going to the different schools and different classrooms not feeling like I belonged at all. I didn't care about others and when I did I got pushed away. In a strange way I felt at home at school because the teachers that I had cared about me and often it felt more compassion at school than compared to home at certain times in my life. Back in 2007, my emotions pushed to a point where I believe I broke and I tried to end my life because I didn't see a purpose in my existence, so it felt like a waste to continue it. After that moment, I made vow to better for myself and find purpose in my life. I wasn’t sure how or what that purpose would be, but I knew it was going to be something meaningful.

At a point, when I went to high school I was going through the process of developing future goals and expectations of want I can do for myself. Teaching felt like a no brainier because I felt like I developed a strong sense of understanding with education and the challenges with going through education as a student that I felt obligated to share my struggle with other students to find a way to help them navigate. Also, to get students going to a direction they should have to not only understand education but have a sense of value and appreciation for it. What’s interesting about my passion in education was because I didn’t care about education beyond myself. I knew completing school was the goal and I improved my mentality and my understanding in life and in school that I knew that I wanted to give back to my community, to individuals that feel they need a place to be welcomed and a place where they can grow. I worked hard to get to college and I felt that it seems possible because it didn't feel real to until it happened. I had a choice to either take the long road to live and experience life and see different options for me but despite what could've been I would've still ended up teaching. I decided to go right into my education and get to my career and I haven't regretted it since. I don't believe my passion would be as sincere or grown to be as passionate if I took a longer route. Being at UIC with all the experiences, the struggles, the lessons, and the perspectives I've had still makes me want to teach from my freshman year of high school to my senior year in college. I want my future students to grow and develop just as well if not better than when I was at school.