America Vizcaino

Why I want to be a teacher

Around the age of three, my family enrolled me into martial arts, igniting a passion for learning and teaching. Despite the haziness of those early memories, i was always so focused and determined to master each new karate form. Spending countless hours perfecting my techniques led my sensei to encourage me to share my knowledge with others, marking the beginning of my journey as a karate instructor. As I transitioned into sports, my dedication to mastering new skills led to leadership opportunities, with coaches recognizing my ability to lead by example. Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching a diverse range of students, spanning from three-year-olds to adults. These experiences instilled in me invaluable lessons in patience, empathy, kindness and perseverance. When I enrolled in college, I initially pursued psychology but found the subject matter too much at the time. This prompted a shift for me togo into elementary education at Dominican University. It was then when I had an encounter with a touching moment with a hesitant Spanish-speaking student. One day she approached me, her eyes lighting up when I responded in her native language. It was then that I realized my purpose in serving elementary-aged children. When I had to leave at the end of the day it  affirmed my calling to become a teacher, providing me with the clarity and confirmation I needed to know that this path was indeed the right fit for me.

www.linkedin.com/in/america-vizcaino-a5b579253

Email: america.vizcaino@smusd.org