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I became an educator because I wanted to better my life. I was born and raised in Mexico. Growing up in a single parent family style the opportunities of acquiring a higher education were scarce especially because there were four of us children and my mother didn’t have the means to

provide for us educational opportunities other than finishing the public High School. I become an Elementary School Teacher because in my hometown there was a teaching school for low-income, high-performance students. When I was admitted at the teaching school, I was

determined to be the best teacher I could ever be so I could encourage children and families to make positive changes in their lives through education. Since then, I am passionate about life opportunities and endless possibilities for individuals. I graduated and worked as an Elementary

School Teacher for 6 years in rural low-income communities in Mexico before immigrating to California in 1991. My life and the lives of people around me have been positively impacted by my commitment to be the best teacher I can possible be.

Once in California and after getting my own children in school, I became a volunteer in my children’s classrooms, and learned the array of opportunities this country offers to all individuals. I witness firsthand how students and parents from minorities groups were lost in an

educational system they didn’t know how to navigate. Moreover, no one seemed to care enough to teach underrepresented groups. Children from minority ethnic groups were not challenge, for them the expectations were very low. I decided to go back to the educational field, first I become a bilingual instructional aide and then a Head Start Teacher.

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"In order to be the best teacher, I can be and to promote positive changes in the lives of students and families I need to be learning constantly how to better teach. And to teach I need to acknowledge the struggles and dreams of the students and families I serve." -Ana Castillo

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"I believe that Education, schooling, and democracy must be a joint force and that for schools to be good, they must serve the process of promoting critical thinking and a resourceful mentality in individuals. Teachers are transformative intellectuals because they must be sensitive

to the needs of their students and sometimes guide them to learn that it is okay to be different and

to feel different. Accepting and loving themselves can be their most priceless treasure." -Ana Castillo

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"I will practice with my students imagining what our world could be or how we would want it to be. In

my classroom, we all are going to be Transformative Humans." -Ana Castillo

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Purpose of Education and Role as a Teacher 

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"Students are good if teachers recognize them as individuals that belong to a culture, and students are good if they feel appreciated."

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"Teachers who intentionally self-reflect on their roles in our society might feel empowered to facilitate the skills students need to change what is unfair to them in their communities actively. The Superpower of teachers is fostering Critical thinkers and well-spoken individuals that would eventually take action to transform society into a better and more just one." -Ana Castillo

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"I believe that my contribution to a better and more productive democracy starts in the classroom with my

students and my families, making sure that I get the message across that what they have to say or what they are

experiencing matters to me as a teacher and that despite all the hardships education will always be a way of getting power

to find their voice and be their best advocates." -Ana Castillo

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-Ana Castillo

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Who are we as teachers? -Ana Castillo

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"no dream is too big, no dreamer too small"

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Ana was never afraid to have fun and be silly with the kids. She is missed.

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Thank you for making this, I think it says a lot about her and the great teacher she was ❤️

“I am passionate about life

opportunities and endless possibilities for individuals” I really liked this sentence she wrote in one of her papers. -Ash

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Ana taught me how to be a better educator, and as a result, a better person. I miss her every day in class.

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Ana was such a warm and wise presence in our cohort within the PSUSD/Alder Residency. I am grateful to have known her.

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It was a great pleasure to have an amazing person. I always looked forward to our Seminar and her insights. 

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It was a great pleasure to have an amazing person. I always looked forward to our Seminar and her insights. 

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You will forever be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. You encouraged me to speak up and never back down. I'm so grateful to have met you. You are a beautiful soul.

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Ana was always so positive and saw the best in everyone. She is missed.

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Ana, I miss our many discussions of life. Your infectious laugh will forever ring in my ears. and I will never forget your advice " Don't give away your power." when dealing with behaviors. you are truly missed.

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I had the pleasure of working with Ana for many years in San Jacinto, where she was my aide and co-worker. When she applied for a teaching position at Palm Springs, I was listed as a personal reference. I was driving home from vacation with my husband when I received a phone call from Palm Springs. Of course, I could not say enough about Ana, and gave a glowingly recommendation. What really stands out are my husbands comments. He said, “Wow. Ana sounds like an amazing teacher and co-worker. I would hire her based on what you said.” He also said, “You were so excited to tell them about her.” I said, “yes I am. Ana is a wonderful teacher, and person. SHE DESERVES THIS! She is loving and compassionate and brings out the best in the children, families and co-workers.” Ana was a gift in my life, and the lives of so many others. I was honored to know her and play even the smallest part in her life.

Sharon Bua