Sometimes “Impossible” is the Strongest Motivator
By
Socorro Sanchez
Just like every 16 year old, I had no idea how life after high
school would be. I did know that I wanted to go to college, and that in order
for me to achieve that I would have to work hard. On top of that, I challenged
myself by working towards the possibility of being able to complete my
graduation requirements by January instead of June. There were several teachers
and counselors who told me it was impossible; what appeared to them as
impossible seemed to me as a challenging and rewarding opportunity.
Therefore, at the beginning of my senior year, I started attending
the local adult school, where they offered students the possibility to retake
classes or take advancement classes. There were days where I did question and
even doubt my decision, but I continued to push forward, and by January I had
completed the necessary credits to become eligible to graduate early. I left
high school on a Friday and started attending the local community college on a
Monday.
Without a doubt, I learned that it is up to each of us to pursue
and fight through adversity to accomplish our goals. There were several times
when I doubted myself and came across people who questioned my choice, but in
the end I proved to myself that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind
to as long as I was willing to work hard.
As an AVID teacher, I have used that experience to challenge and
encourage my students to accomplish what they set out to do. Whether they are
taking an extra AP class or applying for a scholarship, they know they should
not let a word count or the opinions of others get in the way of at least trying.
I have become aware that AVID does not just change a student’s life, it changes
a teacher’s life as well.
Looking back at the naïve but determined16-year-old girl that I
was, I would not do anything differently. I am where I am because I have
diligently worked towards completing everything that I have set out to do. It
is my hope that my students do the same!
Socorro Sanchez is a high school
English and AVID teacher at Coachella Valley High School. When she is not
creating lesson plans or planning university trips for AVID, she is reading. She
lives in Southern California with her husband Carlos and three children.
Standards-based questions for this essay.
Standards-based questions for this essay.
What was motivating you to attend college earlier that the rest of your class?
ReplyDeleteAdrian,
ReplyDeleteI was eager to get started and at that time, I felt like I was wasting my time in high school, especially because I had all my credits. I do not regret moving on, but there are times, especially when my friends talk about memories that happened when I was not there, that a part of me wishes I could have experienced that. Overall, I was ready to move on. I still attended grad. night, prom, and participated in the graduation ceremony along with the rest of my class.