-
Learning Spanish
I entered kindergarten in Mexico and learned introductory level reading and writing in Spanish. Taking this class in Mexico helped me become proficient in reading in my native language and later on in earning my seal. -
Learning English
I once again entered kindergarten but this time in the United States. I was introduced to a similar alphabet with a new pronunciation. It was definitely a scary time for 6 year old me, but it helped me grasp a better understanding of the English language, including it text form. -
Ari
Ari was a teacher in my small elementary school that helped me learn English. She often met with me before or after school in her classroom or even came to see us at our home! I remember one particular time she was teaching me how to pronounce dinosaur. Unfortunately we moved towns the following year and did not receive any more help with learning English. Later I learned Ari was actually helping us learn English in her free time since the school did not provide any assistance at that time. -
Reading Logs
Throughout elementary school we used reading logs that were turned in for a grade at the end of every week. We had to read a book of our choice for like 20-30 minutes every day. Nobody watched over me when I did homework because they knew I always did it. Reading however, was something I did not do. I do not remember not even one instance where I actually read a book for a reading log. I lied and filled out the log as if I had read the book. I found it a waste of time. -
Kid Translator
Around the time when I was in second or third grade I took on the role of a family translator. Anytime my family had a question about what a document, sign, or person was saying in English I would have to translate. This was particularly difficult when my family asked me to translate official documents from my school or work. There were words I could not understand but I became really good at using context clues. -
Mrs. Tambouri
When I started middle school I was greeted by the rudest English teacher ever, Mrs. Tambouri. I already didn't enjoy reading, but it was until this class that I started feeling anxiety when it came to reading in front of the class. She was often rude and put students "on the spot" for anything, I was once a victim of her bad moods. Getting called to read in her class always made my palms would sweat and my heart would race. If it was not perfect she would make it clear to everyone. -
AP Literature
I took this course during high school and it helped improve my relationship to books. The books we read in this course were of my interest. It was books that took us places, and in which I could interpret my own way without being wrong. -
Seal of Bi literacy
I earned my seal of bi literacy by demonstrating competence in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish. It helped me become more confident in my native language reading abilities. -
No Due Dates
After I graduated I stopped reading books for months. I realized I missed reading, I actually enjoyed it. However, I learned I enjoyed reading the books that "I" wanted to read, when "I" wanted to read. That's the summer I started reading books by choice. The books of my preference were fiction books about mystery or scary books. -
Freshman
It was only up until I got to college that I started reading non-fiction books that I found interesting. It might be because they're regarding my major, but I realized non-fiction books are not that bad. From then I've actually read a couple autobiographies and research articles, and they were not for a grade!
