I grew up in a tough neighborhood in Riverside where I witnessed many things that a young person should not have to face, including poverty and violence. These circumstances made it difficult to find meaning and importance in school, and I was not always motivated as a young student. Even though I found it challenging to focus on my education at times, I graduated successfully from high school. That summer, I began working as a custodian in the Riverside Unified School District. I knew that I didn’t want to continue to struggle in life, and realized education was the key to attaining that success. I found my drive to succeed and enrolled in community college after graduating from high school. At this point in my life, I was able to channel everything I experienced as an adolescent, along with the support and encouragement of my colleagues, into motivation. Working in an educational environment and surrounded by teachers and a principal who invested in me and believed in my potential, further promoted my value of education. After achieving my Associate’s Degree, I transferred to University of California, Riverside to study psychology and sociology. My decision to become a school counselor was greatly influenced by my time working as a custodian; I saw firsthand the positive impact educators could have on students and I knew I wanted to have that kind of impact myself. I also understood that my experiences growing up gave me unique insight into some of the difficulties students often face outside of school; I wanted to be there to support young people in need of a positive and encouraging influence in their lives, just as the staff at my school were there for me, as a young adult.
After achieving my Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and sociology from UCR, I went on to Azusa Pacific University to obtain my Master’s Degree in Education. My next few experiences working with kids included social work and school counselor at Riverside Juvenile Hall’ Butterfield High. I began working as a school counselor at Canyon Springs High School in 2004. Since then, I have worked at both Canyon Springs and Moreno Valley High Schools, and have continued my education by obtaining Pupil Personnel Service Credentials in both school counseling and school psychology. At Canyon, I have worked as the Academy Counselor since 2010, serving students in the Health Careers Academy, Business Academy, and the Academy of Creative Technologies. In 2012, I started the Anti-Bullying Club (ABC) on campus to help promote kindness and spread awareness about the consequences of bullying and the ways it can be prevented. In 2017, the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation and the Anti-Bullying Institute awarded me with the 2017 HERO Staff of the year Award, for being instrumental in creating a respectful, kind, positive, and compassionate environment at school in the community.
Outside of school, I love traveling, camping with family and friends, and cooking. My philosophy in life is to “let it go” and always look for the positive in any situation. I may have grown up under less than desirable circumstances, but I never let those experiences define me. I do my best to live in the moment, spend quality time with family and friends, and have fun. Most importantly, I have learned to appreciate everything and everyone in my life, for I have seen how quickly time goes by and how suddenly things can change. I always strive to show others how valuable they are to me and to the world, and I never take anyone for granted.
