Teaching Philosophy

I chose teaching as a career because it combines two things that I am passionate about

including teaching/mentoring students and history. I chose to become a history teacher because

this career will allow me to play a critical role in students’ social and academic development. I

chose teaching as a career because I want to nurture my students with unconditional support and

guidance. I chose History teaching as a career because I want to use history and social studies to

help students strengthen their identities and examine their place in society.

I also want to provide my students a safe brave space where they can learn about and

discuss heavy topics like slavery and colonialism in a manner that (1) restores dignity and

agency to historically marginalized communities and (2) allows students to empathize and learn

history from an inclusive and critical perspective.

I chose teaching as a career because as a young Indigenous Xicana, I experienced

alienation in K-12 history and social studies classes. I want to prevent students of color from

experiencing alienation in their U.S. History classes. I chose a career in teaching because I want

to utilize the field of history to restore dignity and pride to the narratives of people who have

historically been excluded and erased from history. I hope to accomplish this by teaching

inclusive history. Inclusive history acknowledges and respects gender, race, class, ethnicity,

nationality, and sexual orientation. I have chosen a career in history teaching to empower

students by acknowledging their diverse identities inside the classroom.