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Bilingual Education Personal Statement

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I taught for 25 years at an inner city school. My students were all second language learners, and often their parents were totally illiterate. I entered this career not as a teacher, but as a social worker turned teacher. The Los Angeles Unified School District was in dire need of bilingual educators, so they offered a district intern program where I took college courses while I worked in the classroom.

Needless to say, I knew nothing about teaching... and felt truly horrible about it. I searched for help and support, reached out to other teachers, administrators, the district, the board of education. For the most part mild concern and no effective action was the common response. If it weren't for one wonderful teacher who took me under her wing, for no extra pay of course, I am sure I would have given up. …show more content…

The room I walked into was filled to its capacity with the remnants of a lifetime of teaching. I was expected to clean it out, set it up, prepare for teaching, attend classes, do my homework, teach... and possibly have a life, at the same time. Now if this isn't a recipe for failure, I don't know what is.

I worked easily 12 hours daily (admittedly mostly spinning my wheels), wrangled my mind trying to figure out how to make things work, how to fit all I was supposed to do in a work day. I cried more often than I care to admit.. but I stuck it out. I loved being around young minds, open, receptive, funny and full of surprises. It is wonderful to see a child become excited about learning, to hear "ah! I get it!". The pay is substandard, the hours grueling, the administration oblivious and obstructive, the paperwork daunting... but the kids are truly

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