KIPP SoCal Teacher Residency at Alder GSE

Resident, Cohort 2019–2020
Residency Placement: KIPP Sol Academy
Mentor: Kenny Park

What is your hometown? Los Angeles, California

What college did you attend? Georgetown University

What degree did you earn? BA in History with a minor in English

What inspired you to teach? It all started when I took the PSAT in high school and bombed it! My self-confidence dropped, and I questioned whether I was smart to begin with. However, with hard work and determination (and the help of my teachers, of course!), I managed to do well on the SAT and was fortunate enough to go to a prestigious university. Nonetheless, reflecting on my experiences, I realized that I was a critical thinker but not an information retainer. I suffered on the PSAT because I did not retain the standards of the state of California.

To make a long story short, I want to inspire, navigate, and support students who come from a similar socioeconomic status as mine to go to college. I want to teach context, not mindless content. I want my students to learn about themselves and to be proud of their history and confident in their self-worth in a racially stratified society.

Why did you choose Alder’s Teacher Residency program? Teaching is a complex and ever-evolving field. To be prepared to teach my students, I need the guidance and experience of teachers who have been in the profession. Alder’s Teacher Residency program allows me to hone my teaching skills through observation and participation. With a mentor and the support of Alder and the University of the Pacific, I am allowed to develop my teaching skills without putting my students’ education in jeopardy.