The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem Class of 2010 ● Skidmore College Class of 2014 ● Dual Language Teacher
My three sisters and I all had a positive experience at TYWLS with wonderful opportunities especially with the support to apply and go to college. I’m grateful we were all able to go to TYWLS – without it I’m not sure if we would have had the individual experiences that we did. Even though my sisters’ interests and mine are different, we all enjoyed our time at TYWLS. Some of our favorite memories are from our time there.
My director of college counseling was very welcoming. He made sure we knew he was there to support us with the college process. I applied to a few colleges and got into my dream school. He always believed in me even when I doubted myself. Of course I had to want to do the work, submit the paperwork, and gather all the materials necessary but he was always willing to answer any questions we had.
I never thought about being a teacher but after traveling the world, an opportunity I obtained thanks to my education, I realized how important education was.
After high school I went on to my dream college, Skidmore College. I studied Music and Environmental Studies and was able to go abroad for a year where I traveled to Tanzania, India, New Zealand and Guatemala. After that I went on to volunteer as an AmeriCorp member in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In that time, I realized how important education was, especially when others do not get that chance. I knew I wanted to return home to help facilitate a think tank and amazingly found my path into teaching. After I moved back to NYC, I got a fellowship opportunity and became a teacher. I never thought about being a teacher but after traveling the world, an opportunity I obtained thanks to my education, I realized how important education was. I have been teaching ever since and I am in my sixth year.
I am currently a teacher working with the Dual Language program at a Tier 1 school in East Harlem. I was part of the team who helped launch it and we had our first graduating class from the program in 2021. I am a co-facilitator for my team and continue to grow and navigate our amazing program through this pandemic.