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Episode #166: "I Have SOMETHING To Say" with special guest, Ana Vaca
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Only 8% of professionals in STEM careers identify as Latino, while 20% of the U.S. population is Hispanic. This will change for the better thanks to the commitment and dedication of people like Ana Vaca, our guest in this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. As a Mathematics educator, Ana is passionate about creating an equitable classroom environment that encourages students to see their potential as learners of mathematics, and in pursuing a wide variety of career paths to debunk stereotypical societal expectations.
Ana gets it. She’s a first-generation immigrant who can empathize with the challenges and barriers experienced by undocumented and mixed-status students. This is why she strives to create safe and inclusive spaces in schools that support the unique needs of immigrant families. By leading professional development and immigrant-centered workshops to create a learning environment where all students, regardless of their immigration status, can achieve their fullest potential, SHE IS PAYING IT FORWARD.
You see, Ana is very thankful for the adults who once guided her as an undocumented student learning how to navigate the U.S. school system. She fondly recalls how from an early age her teachers noticed her brain was wired to excel in Math. So, they mentored her, helped her enroll in STEM programs, and encouraged her to pursue a college degree. She realizes how blessed she was because this was not (and still isn’t) the experience of many Hispanic children who are often dismissed as candidates for university studies – much less in engineering, technology, math, or science.
Thanks to her advocates and champions, Ana went on to earn a B.S. in Mathematics and followed her passion for teaching. Each day, she pays it forward by mentoring, guiding, and instructing entire families. Through her devoted attention to both their academic, and basic human needs she makes sure immigrant youth have the necessary resources to fulfill their dreams and attain socioeconomic mobility along with their parents.
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