I am currently a Special Education Paraprofessional for the Berkowitz school. I looked into this program because I wanted to give back to the community I came from, as someone who attended both the Berkowitz and Chelsea High. I always knew I would do a job where I would end up giving back to the people around me, and when I found teaching I knew it was what I would spend my life doing. I became attached to the Special Ed department in my short time with the Berkowitz team, and the kids that we are impacting every day. I want to be the teacher that I needed when I was in school, and create a safe environment for all my students

I am currently a paraprofessional at the Hooks School in Chelsea. I have lived in Chelsea my entire life and love the close-knit community that comes along with living and now teaching here. I want to be a special education teacher because I believe that every student deserves to be pushed to their fullest potential. I believe that education is a right for all, and I want to inspire my current and future students to develop a life-long love for learning, as well as to know that anything and everything they desire is possible for them to achieve.

Hi, My name is Janishia Martínez. I am an 8th-grade EL Teacher at the Clark Avenue Middle School in Chelsea. I graduated in 2013 with a BA in Psychology. Now, I attend SSU as a graduate student in the TESOL program. I geek out over Harry Potter, Marvel, and Disney. I live in Peabody with my boyfriend and 2 dogs. My goal is to help children find their purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life. I am so excited to begin this journey and expand my knowledge.

I am a paraprofessional in a Kindergarten classroom in the Caminos program at the Early Learning Center in Chelsea. Growing up in a diverse community has had a positive impact in my life. It has opened my eyes to different perspectives and for that I am very grateful. I've always felt more welcomed and comfortable being in a diverse atmosphere because I believe it is easier to communicate and build relationships as opposed to being in a community with no diversity. Once I receive my Master’s degree, I hope to work as a teacher of young children in a diverse public school setting. I believe that this program will prepare me for a career in teaching by giving me the technical knowledge I need to be successful, as well as allow me to learn best practices in the field.

My current position is paraprofessional at the Kelly school. I chose to become a teacher in Chelsea because I identified with this community on many levels. As a first generation daughter of an immigrant, a minority, Latina, woman, etc. However, after having a better understanding of how disproportionately low the amount of Hispanic/Latino and/or African American teachers to students there were, I was even more eager to pursue this degree. Representation in the classroom is such a significant component to how children learn.

I currently work as a geometry teacher at CHS. I would love to impart my passion for math onto students of color. Statistics show that students of color fall short in math. My goal is to change that statistic. I offer alternative ideas that students can relate to and offer accommodations to support learning styles.

I have worked as a Paraprofessional for Chelsea Public Schools (CPS) for the past 5 years, and my appreciation for this community has only grown over time as I see the devotion and compassion that the school shares. Chelsea Public Schools welcomed me with open arms, believed in me and gave me a chance to show who I was and what I had to give. Teaching at CPS will give me an opportunity to give back to the community that holds a special place in my heart. My motivation behind becoming an English as a Second Language Teacher is connected in part with my passion for education and for helping others, and it is also shaped by my own life experiences as an English Language Learner (ELL). I can say that my personal journey has allowed me to see a little bit of myself in every ELL student, I see their fears and struggles. But most importantly, I see them and their potential. If I could be a teacher who makes even a small difference in their life and inspires them to believe in themselves, I would consider it the biggest reward.

I have a passion for both: teaching and learning. I always looked for role models, and found the best as a Chelsea High School student. I want to be able to provide other Chelsea children with the same inspiration that I received years ago. After working with teachers and students for two years as a paraprofessional, I know I can team up with them and help students learn and grow. I want to be an ESL teacher in Chelsea Public Schools to give back the positive impact I had as a student and to lead my students to their personal success.

I have spent my whole life in Chelsea and being able to give back to the community and work with these kids is such an amazing feeling. I am a paraprofessional at the ELC and working in a special Ed classroom made me realize how much I wanted to pursue my masters in it and become a teacher with my own classroom one day. Being a teacher is such a special job that helps kids in so many ways. Not only are we teaching them to read and count but we are also teaching them that they are capable of doing such great things in life when they put their minds to it. I want to be someone to these kids who makes them believe that they can achieve anything.

I am currently teaching English as a New Language at Clark Avenue Middle School for our Foundational students in 7th grade. Becoming a teacher in CPS means having the opportunity to learn with and from multilingual youth, who are often patronized and forgotten in this country. It means centering the needs and assets of students who not only face immense barriers in their adjustment to a new place and education system, but also bring valuable cultural ways of knowing and critical world views to our classrooms. I want to teach in CPS because I see the ways in which the community has come together to support our young people. If I believe that our multilingual youth can learn to both navigate these new systems well, and work to remedy its flaws, histories, and growth areas, then I need to continue developing my practice as an educator. I see teaching in CPS as a chance to create pluralistic power, criticality, and moments of joy with my students, and moreover, a chance to see how we are all experiencing life similarly and differently. To study a language means to also study its stories, cultures, and meanings; that is what I hope my students will walk away with even if they do not realize it now.

I am a Kindergarten paraprofessional at the Early Learning Center. I am determined to become a teacher in Chelsea Public Schools because I am committed to strengthening my community and building capacity for immigrant families with language diversity, such as my own. My teaching experiences thus far have made me realize not only my passion to teach, but my potential to inspire.

My name is Yolanda Manay-Lavelle. I am currently working and enjoying my time as a paraprofessional at Chelsea High School. My passion for learning and teaching is what drives me to become a teacher. And I truly believe that using education in the full context of the word and its actions as a powerful tool, I’ll be able to create consistent changes and contribute to the success of the students at Chelsea High School going above and beyond of a classroom.

My reason for getting in the education field is I grew up in Chelsea and I went to Chelsea public schools from Pre-K to the 8th grade. There were not a lot of teachers that looked like me so I always wanted to become one to spread some hope within the community. The kids really look up to me and I love being able to give them hope that they can accomplish anything they want. I started teaching in Everett and made the decision to return to my hometown to teach in Chelsea two years ago. I feel at home teaching in the Chelsea Public schools and I loved being involved with academics and sports within the community.

I currently work at George Kelly elementary school. I have been a paraprofessional there for the past two years. I currently have a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, with a minor in Elementary Education. When I started working at Kelly I was so excited to work in an environment where speaking two languages is the norm! The Caminos program has greatly impacted my decision to further my studies in Elementary Education and to one day have my own Spanish classroom. I have had the opportunity to work alongside some of the spanish teachers and their dedication to their students is something we share. Last year I got the opportunity to be a long term sub in the first grade spanish classroom. I had never taught first grade nor in spanish but I wouldn’t have changed that experience because it gave me the assurance that I can teach and grow with support of Kelly School staff.

The students in Chelsea remind me of myself when I was in Elementary school as an English Language Learner. I can relate to the students in Chelsea Public Schools because I understand how challenging it can be to learn new content in a new language and adapt to a new culture. I am inspired by my students and how excited they are as they make great progress in their language skills. Also, I am inspired by the families of my students and how committed they are to their children’s education. I am proud to be part of this great diverse community and share my love for teaching.

My interest in education started when I was in high school and flourished during my years as an ESL student after I moved to the US. Getting students to reflect on the knowledge that they bring to the table is as useful to the learning process as their efforts to improve and expand such knowledge. As an ESL teacher at the Hooks School, I am confident that I fulfill such responsibility daily

My name is Naomi Mejia, I am a Paraprofessional at Chelsea Public Schools. I’m currently working in getting my master’s degree in School Counseling and Community Counseling. One of the main reasons why I want to get my license and love teaching at Chelsea Public Schools. I am a Chelsea graduate and while I was in school I have to thank the many teachers and staff that helped me be the person I am today. They were there for me to guide me in the right path. I want to do the same for those students who need that help that I received when I was a student. Knowing that I’m helping them accomplish my dream is something that makes me feel good because I know it only going to benefit them and help them in the long run.

“Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without” William Sloane Coffin Jr. When you become a teacher you are creating more than just lesson plans, you are doing more than grading papers and putting Band-Aids on boo boos. Becoming a teacher is more about learning to meet students diverse needs, higher order thinking and making sure all students are meeting their full potentials. I can't think of a better place than in the Chelsea district , a district with not only believes in their community and leads with pride but with a district that builds its community up and in braces their difference and makes a difference.In a community it takes a village to make great things happen and that is true of teachers they must work together to create an environment welcoming of all students from all walks of the world.

I currently work at the John Silver, Early Learning Center. I have been a paraprofessional since 1992. I currently have a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, with a second major in Sociology. I am seeking to complete my masters degree in TESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I love Chelsea and its people. My goal is to help the children of this city. I have learned and experienced a lot of what Chelsea has to offer from all of these years working as a paraprofessional at the ELC. I am able to understand the needs of Chelsea’s growing multicultural community. I know that if I finish the rest of my career Chelsea will get a hard working and dedicated teacher.

I currently teach at the Kelly School. I am taking my Mtels and pursuing my licensure to continue my teaching at the Kelly school. Once I have completed all exams I will pursue my goal in improving my knowledge to continue my work with our students at Chelsea in all aspects, academically and emotionally. I believe that us teachers are the beginning of change now, in Chelsea, to make it a better tomorrow.

Greetings everyone! I am Joey Pang a teacher assistant in CPS and my main goal is to inspire the youth and the next generation of students through physical activity and wellness. As I am working towards my licensure; I strive to impact the staff and students with a positive mindset to create memories they will appreciate. The creativity and freedom to develop plans and manage practice with each group or individual with enthusiasm and commitment is my focus when achieving this licensure. With a passion to help students learn and grow physically as well as mentally to benefit their future, I can speak for myself and others; CPS is a great pathway to your goals. I appreciate teaching in CPS mainly because we are a team and there are always opportunities for everyone making it feel like home!