What do you currently do at BCS?
I am presently serving as a substitute math teacher and have been offered the opportunity to assume a full-time math teacher position for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year.
When did you graduate from BCS?
I was promoted from BCS Middle School in 2012 and BCS High School in 2016.
What made you return to BCS as a substitute teacher at BCS?
I chose to return to BCS because I wanted a community where I could continue to give back to the development of the next generation of individuals. While teaching wasn’t my initial interest, I’ve found joy in educating and supporting others. Returning to a community I know well also gives me the ability to give back to a community that’s helped me to become the person I am today.
How did going to BCS impact or shape you as a teacher?
My time as a student at BCS has equipped me with some necessary skills needed to be a part of a particular community. Seeing familiar faces from when I was a student has made it easier to feel comfortable—making teaching opportunities more manageable and accomplishable.
What do you most enjoy in your role as a teacher?
I most enjoy the relationships I’ve developed with students and staff. As a young adult, returning to a community of individuals who knew me as a child, has given me the momentum to prove the resilient adult I have now become. Coupled with my youth, my ability to connect with the students and serve as a positive role model has made my return to teaching all the more enjoyable.
How did BCS prepare you for life after high school?
One thing I took away from my time at BCS was our core values and ideas of CREW. Our core values were Open minded, Persistence, courageous, responsibility, Kindness, and collaborative. I still carry these values with me today and embody them in my everyday life.
Who most influenced you when you were going to BCS? How?
My teammates influenced me 100%. With their support, I was able to push through hard times, overcome challenges, and make the right decisions. They were there for me when I wanted to give up on extracurricular activities and were always there to congratulate me when I did well. Some adults who influenced me were my coach, Jose, my middle school social studies teacher Amanda, and my math teacher Allison. Thinking back now, I grew closer to the teachers whose classes posed a challenge to me. They were always there to encourage me throughout the journey, and most of all never gave up on me.
What are two of the fondest memories you have from BCS?
The BCS College March was one of my fondest memories of my time at BCS. Throughout my high school years, I participated in extracurricular activities that, paired with my education at BCS, propelled my grades and made me a fine candidate for top-tier colleges. The program that provided these opportunities was The Sponsors of Educational Opportunities (SEO) Program. The BCS College March served as the day I knew my hard work and dedication to BCS and SEO paid off. For four years I sacrificed summers and weekends while committing to regularly attending class. To send out my thank you letter to the individuals who helped me succeed was one of the fondest memories I have of BCS.
My time on the Lady Wolves basketball team is another fond memory of my time at BCS. Since 8th grade, I played basketball at BCS. I continued the sport until I graduated BCS. Along with me were 4 of my best friends who lived in my neighborhood and attended BCS. We all became BCS’s Lady Wolves Starting 5 basketball players for the next 5 years. Our basketball coach Jose Rivera served as a father figure in our eyes and supported us emotionally and academically. Throughout these years, we became extremely close due to our love of the game and growing up together in Red Hook. Being part of a team provided us with another avenue to hone our skills while sticking together through the good and bad times.
With Jose as our coach, the team often felt like a family and we never allowed anyone to break up our bond. The sisterhood we developed has lasted for the past 15 years and will continue to be my most valuable support group. Although we are in different stages of our lives, we still keep in touch, visit each other, and make time to catch up on each other’s accomplishments. Both of my fondest moments of BCS include my ability to have a support group that believed in my dreams and aspirations. These support groups proved to be essential in the life of a growing teen, providing me with a safety net that I could always rely on and individuals to fall back on when needed.
What would you advise students to take advantage of or get involved with at BCS? Why? How do you think these advantages helped you with your future now as an adult? Or with your career?
I’d advise students to take control of their interest at BCS and not be afraid to start something new. Voice your opinion and collaborate with your peers to ensure a positive and fulfilling environment at your school. See all opportunities, learning experiences, and internships as an open door to either learn something new, capitalize on a lesson learned, or continue the good work. I’ve been able to do these thins throughout my life and learn form my mistakes while also learning to commend my accomplishments.
What advice would you give to BCS students today?
Take the liberties of a small school with core values and run with it. The world is a huge place and at times it is often easy to feel like you don’t have anyone. Remember life at BCS and take these core values and embody them through every aspect of your life.”
