Multiple Subject / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Araceli Camarillo Diaz is a Mexican American and a first generation student who has graduated from college in her family. She has lived in Santa Maria her whole life with her parents, sister, and little brother. Araceli is trilingual in Mixteco, Spanish, and English. She grew up speaking Mixteco because my parents wanted to ensure that she knew their native indigenous language. Subsequently, she learned Spanish with her family and then English in school.

Her journey started at Allan Hancock College where she graduated in 2021 with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts in the area of Social and Behavioral Science. After she transferred to Cal Poly, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a Concentration in Child Development in 2023. During my time at Cal Poly she has been part of the Educators of Color Club as a regular member and part of the leadership as a board member. She also has had the opportunity to be part of Nuestra Ciencia, where she helped create and teach science lessons about microbiology to bilingual speaking students to local elementary schools in various grade levels.

As a future educator, she wants her students to see her as an Indigenous person who has reached a higher level of education, and as someone who can serve as a role model who reflects her students’ cultural and linguistic assets. One of the main reasons she wants to be a teacher is to help her community break the language gap and create more inclusivity in schools.

MA advisor: Dr. Briana Ronan

Master of Science in Special Education / Education Specialist

Megan is a lifelong Central Coast native, growing up in the Five Cities and Nipomo. She attended Allan Hancock College before transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, completing her degree in Child Development and minor in Psychology in June 2023. Megan’s interest for teaching children started while volunteering in a summer program after her first year of college. She found her passion in working with neurodivergent individuals when setting out to understand her own diagnosis of Autism, eventually leading to her work with others on the spectrum and saw the impact made in their growth and positive experiences.  Since 2017, Megan has worked with children both inside and out of the classroom to better understand their challenges, help them positively navigate through their neurodivergent experience, and advocate awareness to others. In her work, she wants the students she works with to know that they can follow their passions and dreams the same way she did. When Megan isn’t in the classroom, you can catch her walking on nature trails, spending time with her family dogs, playing guitar and piano, or listening to documentaries while cross stitching various patterns from The Office to Pokémon and Star Wars. 

Master of Science in Special Education / Education Specialist

Jen (she/her) has been a resident of the central coast for most of her life and graduated from Morro Bay High School in 1996. She earned her B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. She returned back to the California coast in 2012 and was employed as a classroom paraprofessional until 2022 when she was offered a position as a resource teacher at Arroyo Grande High School. When the opportunity to pursue her Masters of Science in Special Education presented itself in the form of Cal Poly's TIER program, she knew she had to apply. The TIER program will give her the chance to further her career in the field of education and allow her to follow her lifelong dream of being a teacher.

When Jen isn't reading books and watching documentaries for entertainment and education, you can find her on sunny days roller skating on smooth surfaces all over the county and boogie boarding with her husband, Chuck.

Multiple Subject / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Ramon, a native of Arroyo Grande, California, is a first-generation college graduate. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development, and he is currently enrolled in the Credential Program with a Bilingual Authorization and MA in Curriculum and Instruction.

He believes when teachers look like their students, it serves as an example of what possible academic success could resemble. Ramon is passionate about education and thinks that it is the basis for transformation. By designing educational experiences where the student is in control of their own education, he hopes to contribute to changing the lives of young people.

His educational career goals range from being a bilingual educator to eventually being an elementary school principal. In the future, Ramon also hopes to work as a classroom instructor in Jalisco, Mexico.

MA Advisor: Dr. Tina Cheuk

Master of Science in Special Education / Education Specialist

Olivia is from Nipomo, CA. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Communication studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Olivia always knew she wanted to work in education as she grew up surrounded by teachers in her family. Starting at a young age she became very drawn towards Special Education and felt like she found her place in the world while working in Special Education classrooms growing up.  Her goal is to work toward Spanish fluency so that she can work in schools that support emergent bilingual, multilingual and plurilingual learners. Olivia has been working in Special Education classrooms for 3 years now and loves being able to make students' daily lives better. 

Single Subject-Math / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Brenda is a first-generation student from Santa Maria, CA. She comes from a family of six who she loves very much. She is kind and understanding, and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. 

She graduated from Santa Maria High School in 2019 and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Cal Poly SLO in 2023. At Cal Poly she was part of Sigma Omega Nu, a Latina interest sorority where she held many leadership roles allowing her to grow and develop as an individual. Thanks to the sorority she formed new connections and met some of the best people at Cal Poly. 

She is now enrolled at Cal Poly to obtain a single-subject teaching credential in Mathematics. Being a TIER resident, she will also receive a Spanish bilingual authorization and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She hopes to teach in Santa Maria, her hometown. She is excited to share her passion for Mathematics with her students, hoping to inspire them to enjoy the subject just as much as she does.

MA Advisor: Dr. Tina Cheuk

Multiple Subject / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Michelle is a first generation Latina, born and raised in Santa Maria, CA. Michelle is the oldest of her siblings and is a daughter of a single mother. She is self-motivated, kind and reliable. She enjoys going on trips with her boyfriend and spending her time with her siblings and mom at the park with their dog Luna.

Michelle attended Cal Poly SLO right after graduating from Santa Maria High in 2019. She graduated from Cal Poly SLO in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and concentration in mathematics. During her time at Cal Poly, she was a part of Sigma Omega Nu a Latina interest sorority. This allowed her to connect with individuals who share similar backgrounds and helped her build her community at Cal Poly. Michelle also had the opportunity to work for TeAMS, a Cal Poly program that provides educational assistance in math and science to local students. During her last year at Cal Poly, Michelle was also a part of College Corps. This program allowed for her to work in the San Luis Obispo community, specifically work in the local elementary schools. As a College Corp Fellow, she had the opportunity to lead the afterschool sports programs, afterschool homework club and volunteer in the classroom. 

Michelle is excited to complete the program and continue to work in her local community of Santa Maria. 

MA Advisor: Dr. Tina Cheuk

Multiple Subject / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Daniel is a first-generation Mexican immigrant born in Guadalajara, Jalisco who immigrated to Santa Maria, CA at the age of six. He is understanding, kind, and enjoys spending time with his family and Leia, his beautiful husky. 

He started his academic journey at Allan Hancock College, where he graduated with his Associate's degree with honors in 2021. Through Hancock, Daniel worked as a bilingual Mini Corps Tutor in SMBSD, helping elementary migrant students ranging from 1st to 6th grade and providing group, and one-on-one specialized support. He attended monthly professional developments and worked with the Hancock coordinator who supervised his lesson plans and offered feedback on how to improve, which Daniel implemented in his future lessons.

Then, he transferred to Cal Poly SLO where he was on the Dean’s List for several quarters and received his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with honors in 2023. He was also involved in Nuestra Ciencia, where he helped modify and teach Microbiology lesson plans to bilingual Spanish-speaking elementary students.

As a TIER resident, he will be completing his credential in multiple subjects with a Spanish bilingual authorization along with an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from Cal Poly’s School of Education. He aims to promote equity and inclusion in his classroom to foster a safe, warm environment for students to excel in.

As a former English Learner student, Daniel understands the barriers his future students will face and is well-prepared to give back to his community and students. He is excited to be that support for them to be able to succeed academically and beyond the classroom.

MA Advisor: Dr. Briana Ronan

Master of Science in Special Education / Education Specialist with Bilingual Authorization

Maria is a first-generation Mexican-American student born and raised in Paso Robles CA.  Maria is the oldest out of her siblings and daughter to parents born in Oaxaca, Mexico. She graduated from Paso Robles High School in 2019 and graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelors in Communicative Disorders and Sciences in 2023. 

Maria has always had a passion for teaching. She has taught at Paso Robles High School’s Bearkitten Preschool for three years. From there she moved to the Bay Area where she continued to give back to the community through tutoring services and as a paraprofessional in a Special Education classroom. During her time as a paraprofessional she realized that it was what she was meant to do. 

As a future Special Education teacher she is ready to advocate for her students' needs and help support them to be successful. As a first generation English Learner she struggled to find herself and feel accepted because of cultural and language differences. It was thanks to the wonderful teachers she had in her life that she was able to blossom into the person she is today. She hopes to have the same impact on students' lives as she takes on that educator role. 

Multiple Subject / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Jackie is a first-generation college student and former English Learner. She was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico, and at 12 years old, she moved to the United States. Now, she is proud to be part of the Paso Robles community. 

Being an immigrant and learning English has inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. She wants to help other students who might be in a similar situation, navigating a new school system and learning a new language. She finds joy in making connections and building relationships with students. 

She attended Cuesta College and graduated in 2021 with an Associate in Elementary Education. She also earned a certificate of achievement on the High School/ Middle School Teacher pathway. Then, Jackie continued my education at Cal Poly and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in child development.

During my time at Cal Poly, she had some great experiences. She has been a part of Nuestra Ciencia, where she taught microbiology lessons in Spanish to bilingual Spanish-speaking elementary students. She has also enjoyed participating in learn-by-doing labs, including MOST, where she taught maker lessons to after-school students in small groups. Additionally, she has taken part in STEM project skills where she learned skills in coding with Scratch, robotics with Finch, and how to use 3D printing and Arduino. STEM subjects have always interested her, and her goal is to bring that passion to her future classroom. 

When Jackie is not studying, she likes spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys hiking, and one of her favorite trails is the Cerro Alto Trail in Atascadero.

MA Advisor: Dr. Tina Cheuk

Multiple Subject / Bilingual Authorization & MA in Curriculum and Instruction

Cynthia was born and raised in Long Beach, California and moved to Santa Maria, California in 2014. During her spare time, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends, and traveling. From a young age she has been interested in becoming an elementary teacher. 

In 2023, Cynthia graduated from California State University of San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, transferring from Allan Hancock College. As a TIER resident, she will be working on her multiple subject credential with a bilingual authorization in Spanish and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.

MA Advisor: Dr. Briana Ronan