1. Introduction – Vincent Juarez EDU 650 – Teaching Learning & Leading in the 21 st Century

2. Howdy & Buenos Dias I was born in the heart of Texas, San Antonio, and lived there until I graduated from high school. I lived and attended public schools in a predominantly Hispanic area of the city that was neglected and most of the students were from a low socioeconomic status. Recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Towson University.

3. Learning Lasts A Lifetime I can still recall with great clarity of the moment when my family received word that I would be placed into the accelerated classroom and skipped from the 1 st to 3 rd grade; they were as shocked as they were exhilarated. For in my family, education was not given as much importance as earning money to help the family survive – This was the turning point!

4. Time To Serve Even before graduating high school I committed to enlisting with my brother into the United States Marine Corps. I spent 21 years honorably protecting and serving our nation. Although not my priority during my military career, I attended college classes when the opportunity presented itself.

5. Support Structure As many of colleagues have attested, having a strong backing from family and friends is crucial. My wife and sons not only inspire and motivate me to achieve my goals but they have made attaining a degree a reality.

6. Worldwide Education I have seen many of the educational systems from many different countries during my travels abroad. This is one of my reasons for wanting to pursue a second career in education to make a difference at some level for at least some of the children in our own nation.

7. Why A Master’s? I have over 4 years of instructing adults in a classroom setting and recently completed my student-teaching. I felt it important to pursue my Master’s degree now before rejoining the work force. Achieving my Master’s degree in ELL will allow me to help those who struggled as I did when I was a child.

8. Making a Difference Too often we as citizens of this country do not give back for many of the freedoms and contributions bestowed upon us; I hope to impart to many of the young elementary students (especially the males) that I will instruct, an opportunity to become more than they dare dream and not end up as a statistic in the future.