Jenny Jimenez graduated from the Teacher Education Program with a Master’s of Education and Single Subject Teaching Credential in English. She did her student-teaching at La Colina Junior High, where she will be working for the remainder of the summer before taking a position at Goleta Valley Junior High in the fall.
GGSE: What are you planning to do after you graduate?
Jimenez: After graduating, I began teaching summer school at La Colina Junior High. As part of my fieldwork, I spent a total of eight months student-teaching at this school and am happy to have a few more weeks of being a La Colina Lion. Additionally, I have signed a contract to work as an English teacher at Goleta Valley Junior High for the upcoming school year. I am thrilled to be joining their team!
GGSE: Tell me about your experience at La Colina Junior High School. How has it affected your development as an educator?
Jimenez: Having to begin our student-teaching virtually due to the pandemic, I was not sure what to expect. I was blessed to be placed with an incredible team at La Colina Junior High for two out of three of my student-teaching placements. Despite the constantly changing school schedules and models, the staff and community offered so much support and guidance for us teacher candidates. My cooperating teacher, Cathi, and I built a strong relationship centered on how to meaningfully present English curriculum that connects to students' lives, wellness, and student choice in the classroom. As my main mentor at La Colina, she has directly helped shape my development as an educator by giving me an amazing example of a leader both in and outside of the classroom. Aside from learning from staff, it was the students that taught me the most. Mainly, I love teaching middle school so much! The energy, curiosity, and growing autonomy from these students makes working with them a blast. I am glad that I will be able to continue to work with this age group during summer school and as I move forward with Goleta Valley Junior High in the fall.
GGSE: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Jimenez: In five years I hope to still be teaching in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, living with my best friend (Jasmine) and cat (Duchess), and have at least one vacation trip to Italy under my belt!
GGSE: What piece of advice would you like to give to future GGSE students?
Jimenez: Please lean on your colleagues during your program! Of course, our friends and family can be a great support system; but, no one understands your stressors, workload, and schedule like your fellow colleagues will. You are all in this together, and you will need each other as you work towards finishing together! At the end, the bonds created make the victory of completing the program feel even sweeter as you share it alongside one another.
GGSE: Is there anyone at the GGSE you'd like to thank?
Jimenez: Thank you to Maryanna Gray, Tory Harvey, Alexis Spina, Amber Moran, Jen Scalzo, Tim Dewar, and Chuck Bazerman. You all have given me support and assurance in moments where it mattered most.