Who I Am My name is Patricia Lopez-Chavez and am currently a fourth year Education Studies major at Dominican University of California. I am enrolled in the Dual-Dual Teaching program which means that in 5 years I will receive my bachelors degree, masters degree, teaching credential, and special education credential. Throughout my time at Dominican University, I have taken on many hats: orientation leader, peer mentor, peer portfolio fellow and employee of the Academic Advising and Achievement Center in Bertrand. Each of these opportunities has shaped me into the person I am today and support me in different ways to keep growing personally, professionally, and academically.
I am heavily family oriented. I was born and raised in southern-central California, in an agricultural town called Santa Maria (where it always smelled like broccoli and where you can pick fresh strawberries). Just recently, in Fall 2018, my immediate family and I uprooted ourselves and moved to the high heat city of Stockton, CA. I grew up surrounded with family in the agricultural, entrepreneurial, educational, and spiritual careers. Quite a few of my family members and family friends are teachers, and here I am following in their footsteps. Since I was little girl, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and had this passion for teaching and learning. I vividly remember when I was around 7 years old, my cousins would come over and want to play Barbies or karaoke... but, I would make them sit on pillows and watch me play teacher with the whiteboard my mom had bought me. And many years later, I still carry this passion. I am thrilled with my choice of career and know my heart is fully invested in teaching. Many say I am a social butterfly. I am an extroverted introvert - as much as I love being with people, I do need my moments of alone time to re-energize. I enjoy being a part of groups and organizations and putting myself out there. I am a people person and love making people laugh, smile, and feel good - because in turn, it makes me feel good. Aside from socializing, I also enjoy on my limited free time: going to concerts/festivals, going to Disneyland whenever I can, going to church and feeding my soul, going through a journey with a good book in my hands, going on drives and blasting my music, dancing wherever there's music, going on hikes/walks and appreciating God's beauty all around me, and of course the occasional binging on Netflix with some good snacks and company. When I walk into a classroom, I feel alive. I want to be a teacher to educate, inspire, and motivate students unconditionally. Many people have their two cents to share when I say I am going to be a teacher and ask me questions like, "Are you going to have a side job?" or give me comments like, "That doesn't make a lot of money." Well, I know I will not be making a lot of money by being an elementary teacher, but I do know that I will be paid with the type of happiness that money cannot buy... and I'll be able to have a job that doesn't feel like a job. |
My Educational PhilosophyEducation opens the doors to creativity, critical thinking, and endless possibilities for students. Teachers are essential in supporting students to find these doors. I will do my part by creating, fostering, and guiding a learner-centered, holistic, collaborative, socially-emotionally developing, and inclusive classroom.
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