WEBVTT 00:00:00.506 --> 00:00:06.736 A:middle [ Music ] 00:00:07.236 --> 00:00:07.816 A:middle >> [Background Music] You're listening 00:00:07.896 --> 00:00:11.446 A:middle to the Valley College Connection Podcast with John Kawai 00:00:11.496 --> 00:00:14.636 A:middle and Scott Weigand, two Valley professors engaged 00:00:14.636 --> 00:00:18.136 A:middle in a conversation about success with educators and students. 00:00:18.376 --> 00:00:20.926 A:middle Each week, they'll sit down with the different guests to find 00:00:20.926 --> 00:00:24.846 A:middle out ways each of us have had to plan, persevere and overcome 00:00:24.886 --> 00:00:26.046 A:middle to be where we are now. 00:00:26.166 --> 00:00:29.136 A:middle This show will also highlight resources and services 00:00:29.376 --> 00:00:30.986 A:middle that are working to make a difference 00:00:30.986 --> 00:00:32.736 A:middle at Los Angeles Valley College. 00:00:33.016 --> 00:00:35.106 A:middle John and Scott believe that all of us 00:00:35.346 --> 00:00:37.716 A:middle and the college itself are a working progress. 00:00:38.056 --> 00:00:40.026 A:middle And in this podcast, they'll explore 00:00:40.026 --> 00:00:43.126 A:middle on a more personal level how the community can work together 00:00:43.196 --> 00:00:45.946 A:middle to support each other as we move forward with our goal. 00:00:46.516 --> 00:00:48.646 A:middle [ Music ] 00:00:49.146 --> 00:00:53.096 A:middle >> We are with a special guest, Ana Trujillo, who is a professor 00:00:53.096 --> 00:00:54.316 A:middle in the mathematics department here 00:00:54.316 --> 00:00:55.606 A:middle at Los Angeles Valley College. 00:00:55.606 --> 00:00:57.196 A:middle Thank you for joining us, Ana. 00:00:57.226 --> 00:00:57.566 A:middle >> Thank you. 00:00:57.676 --> 00:00:58.646 A:middle Thank you for having me. 00:00:59.286 --> 00:00:59.836 A:middle >> Our pleasure. 00:01:00.436 --> 00:01:04.766 A:middle So, we wanted to chat with you a little bit today and find 00:01:04.766 --> 00:01:07.226 A:middle out a little bit more about your background, 00:01:07.226 --> 00:01:09.826 A:middle sort of what led you here to Valley College, and sort of see 00:01:09.826 --> 00:01:11.866 A:middle where the conversation takes us. 00:01:11.866 --> 00:01:15.096 A:middle So with that, if you could please provide us 00:01:15.096 --> 00:01:19.686 A:middle with some information as to where you came from, 00:01:19.686 --> 00:01:24.176 A:middle who you are, or how did you get to Valley? 00:01:24.176 --> 00:01:24.986 A:middle >> Hi, everyone. 00:01:24.986 --> 00:01:29.986 A:middle So, yes, I came to the Valley starting from Mexico. 00:01:30.126 --> 00:01:32.146 A:middle So I was born and raised in Mexico. 00:01:32.626 --> 00:01:35.456 A:middle I migrated here when I was 16 years old. 00:01:35.456 --> 00:01:39.696 A:middle And I come from a very low income family. 00:01:40.126 --> 00:01:44.286 A:middle And to start kind of like saying more about my background, 00:01:44.636 --> 00:01:47.446 A:middle how did I end up first here in the United States was 00:01:47.516 --> 00:01:52.906 A:middle because my dad left the family when I was two years old 00:01:52.906 --> 00:01:56.746 A:middle and he migrated to work and to support the family. 00:01:57.716 --> 00:02:03.426 A:middle And he became a legal resident in the '80s, during the amnesty. 00:02:04.116 --> 00:02:10.316 A:middle And we became legal, like permanent resident by some time 00:02:10.316 --> 00:02:12.456 A:middle in the '90s, but he was so afraid 00:02:12.456 --> 00:02:14.286 A:middle to pay the rent all the time. 00:02:14.346 --> 00:02:16.816 A:middle So he was very hesitant to bring us over. 00:02:17.676 --> 00:02:24.076 A:middle And I think it was the reason because the cost of living 00:02:24.076 --> 00:02:28.846 A:middle in LA is very difficult, so he was always afraid of the income. 00:02:29.256 --> 00:02:36.996 A:middle So eventually, over the time, I was reaching to the age 00:02:37.066 --> 00:02:41.516 A:middle where I was 16 years old and literally I forced my dad 00:02:41.576 --> 00:02:44.416 A:middle to bring me over, to bring my sister and my mom. 00:02:45.296 --> 00:02:49.826 A:middle And the reason for that was because my older two brothers, 00:02:50.936 --> 00:02:53.686 A:middle they couldn't go to university 00:02:53.686 --> 00:02:56.296 A:middle because my dad couldn't afford it. 00:02:56.746 --> 00:03:00.416 A:middle And we were raised in this town in Mexico 00:03:00.416 --> 00:03:05.986 A:middle where professional life was not talked about, 00:03:06.956 --> 00:03:11.576 A:middle the life of after high school was not talked about, 00:03:11.576 --> 00:03:12.836 A:middle it was just getting married. 00:03:12.836 --> 00:03:17.216 A:middle And I didn't-- I know that I didn't want that life and I-- 00:03:17.216 --> 00:03:22.436 A:middle at 16 I forced myself-- my dad to bring me over. 00:03:22.916 --> 00:03:27.296 A:middle Even though I had no idea what the US life was going to be, 00:03:27.496 --> 00:03:29.166 A:middle I just knew I had to get out of there. 00:03:29.666 --> 00:03:32.216 A:middle I didn't want to get married and have kids and that's it. 00:03:32.216 --> 00:03:36.556 A:middle I wanted to continue being a dedicated person, 00:03:36.906 --> 00:03:40.266 A:middle but I want to be academically educated. 00:03:40.266 --> 00:03:41.526 A:middle I wanted to be a professional. 00:03:42.546 --> 00:03:44.596 A:middle So, I came over. 00:03:44.896 --> 00:03:46.816 A:middle At 16, I forced my dad. 00:03:47.076 --> 00:03:48.446 A:middle He didn't really have a choice. 00:03:48.446 --> 00:03:50.756 A:middle I was either, you take me or you take me, you know. 00:03:50.756 --> 00:03:51.156 A:middle Yeah. 00:03:51.216 --> 00:03:53.996 A:middle >> And quick question for you, Ana. 00:03:53.996 --> 00:03:57.116 A:middle How long was your dad here before you came over then? 00:03:57.116 --> 00:04:01.056 A:middle >> Well, he was-- well, he will visit us every year 00:04:01.056 --> 00:04:03.016 A:middle after he became a legal resident. 00:04:03.016 --> 00:04:06.076 A:middle But he was here since I was two years old. 00:04:06.076 --> 00:04:06.726 A:middle >> Oh, wow. 00:04:06.726 --> 00:04:06.836 A:middle OK. 00:04:06.836 --> 00:04:09.396 A:middle >> And I came to live with him until I was 16. 00:04:09.536 --> 00:04:10.526 A:middle >> OK. OK. 00:04:10.696 --> 00:04:11.966 A:middle >> And had you come 00:04:11.966 --> 00:04:14.926 A:middle to the United States before you were 16 to visit at all? 00:04:15.176 --> 00:04:19.346 A:middle >> I will come to visit just for two weeks to visit Disneyland, 00:04:19.636 --> 00:04:25.816 A:middle Universal Studios and that was it, go back home. 00:04:25.816 --> 00:04:29.606 A:middle And so I didn't know anything about education in the US. 00:04:29.686 --> 00:04:34.186 A:middle I just knew that it was a big city and I somehow was going 00:04:34.186 --> 00:04:35.976 A:middle to be able to find my way out. 00:04:37.196 --> 00:04:39.836 A:middle So, I came at 16. 00:04:40.096 --> 00:04:41.356 A:middle I started high school 00:04:41.736 --> 00:04:43.916 A:middle at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights. 00:04:44.786 --> 00:04:49.156 A:middle And the culture was very shocking 00:04:50.586 --> 00:04:52.486 A:middle and I faced many challenges. 00:04:52.486 --> 00:04:53.796 A:middle We could talk about those in detail. 00:04:54.326 --> 00:04:57.616 A:middle And then eventually I started my education 00:04:58.036 --> 00:05:01.346 A:middle at ELAC, East LA College. 00:05:01.556 --> 00:05:07.066 A:middle And before I started at ELAC, I was debating what to study. 00:05:07.066 --> 00:05:10.606 A:middle I was either debating between becoming a fashion designer 00:05:11.196 --> 00:05:12.846 A:middle or a math teacher. 00:05:13.096 --> 00:05:19.486 A:middle So when I looked into schools, the price and everything, 00:05:19.546 --> 00:05:22.486 A:middle I noticed that there was no way my parents could afford to pay 00:05:22.566 --> 00:05:27.526 A:middle for fashion school, so I decided to, OK, then, there is a notion 00:05:27.526 --> 00:05:28.806 A:middle to become a math teacher. 00:05:29.436 --> 00:05:32.886 A:middle And somehow I was able to get information 00:05:32.936 --> 00:05:34.416 A:middle about a community college. 00:05:34.656 --> 00:05:36.786 A:middle >> Now, can I interrupt you for just a second here? 00:05:36.786 --> 00:05:39.916 A:middle So where did the desire 00:05:39.916 --> 00:05:41.656 A:middle for becoming a math teacher come from? 00:05:41.656 --> 00:05:43.786 A:middle Because those seem like two pretty different, you know, 00:05:43.786 --> 00:05:45.406 A:middle goals, fashion designer and math teacher, 00:05:45.406 --> 00:05:46.636 A:middle I'm sure there's crossover. 00:05:46.636 --> 00:05:47.406 A:middle But where did that come from? 00:05:47.406 --> 00:05:49.406 A:middle Was there, you know, a love in math in your family? 00:05:49.406 --> 00:05:51.626 A:middle Was it a subject that you excel that? 00:05:52.116 --> 00:05:55.606 A:middle >> I think I was born as a nerd [laughter], to be more specific. 00:05:55.746 --> 00:06:01.086 A:middle I think my parents didn't know how to handle that. 00:06:01.086 --> 00:06:03.616 A:middle So, I was born a little different. 00:06:03.746 --> 00:06:06.456 A:middle I have always known that I'm very different compared 00:06:06.456 --> 00:06:07.806 A:middle to my family. 00:06:09.356 --> 00:06:12.856 A:middle Since I was four years old, I remember I was telling my mom, 00:06:13.226 --> 00:06:14.376 A:middle can you teach me to read. 00:06:14.626 --> 00:06:17.086 A:middle And my mom always thought that I was so weird at things, 00:06:17.086 --> 00:06:20.746 A:middle so she never made an effort to teach me to read. 00:06:21.016 --> 00:06:24.766 A:middle And through-- I went to school, first grade, second grade 00:06:24.766 --> 00:06:27.016 A:middle and so on, I wasn't really good in math. 00:06:27.776 --> 00:06:27.966 A:middle >> OK. 00:06:27.966 --> 00:06:31.176 A:middle >> And I remember since fifth or sixth grade, 00:06:31.466 --> 00:06:34.256 A:middle math was just easy for me. 00:06:34.256 --> 00:06:35.626 A:middle It was very interesting. 00:06:36.036 --> 00:06:40.206 A:middle And even though I was artistic because I wanted to learn how 00:06:40.266 --> 00:06:43.286 A:middle to paint, I wanted to learn how to do ceramics, 00:06:43.416 --> 00:06:46.506 A:middle I was getting involved into all of that, 00:06:46.506 --> 00:06:49.176 A:middle but besides that I was always reading. 00:06:49.176 --> 00:06:51.886 A:middle I was always solving math problems for fun. 00:06:52.756 --> 00:06:56.946 A:middle And at the end, I just knew that some 00:06:56.946 --> 00:06:59.426 A:middle of my favorite subject was math. 00:06:59.756 --> 00:07:01.266 A:middle >> OK. OK, interesting. 00:07:01.396 --> 00:07:03.806 A:middle >> So were you at-- So this was-- 00:07:03.806 --> 00:07:06.656 A:middle Was Jaime Escalante still at Garfield 00:07:06.656 --> 00:07:07.666 A:middle at this time of your arrival? 00:07:07.736 --> 00:07:07.856 A:middle >> Yes. 00:07:08.346 --> 00:07:09.606 A:middle >> Was that during that whole era? 00:07:10.126 --> 00:07:11.716 A:middle >> I don't think so. 00:07:11.876 --> 00:07:12.176 A:middle >> OK. 00:07:12.176 --> 00:07:13.106 A:middle >> The professor, right? 00:07:13.106 --> 00:07:13.246 A:middle >> Right. 00:07:13.246 --> 00:07:14.736 A:middle >> No, no, no, no, I don't think so. 00:07:14.896 --> 00:07:15.146 A:middle >> OK. 00:07:15.786 --> 00:07:15.866 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:07:15.866 --> 00:07:18.426 A:middle >> And then what were the challenges that you met 00:07:18.426 --> 00:07:19.856 A:middle when you first immigrated at Roosevelt? 00:07:20.946 --> 00:07:26.246 A:middle >> Well, first of all, I come from a little town where-- 00:07:26.246 --> 00:07:31.096 A:middle that the size of my school, I want to say, it was probably 00:07:31.096 --> 00:07:34.416 A:middle like no more than 500 students. 00:07:34.416 --> 00:07:37.876 A:middle In Roosevelt it was, I'm not sure if it was 00:07:37.876 --> 00:07:40.036 A:middle like 3,000, 4,000 at a time. 00:07:40.106 --> 00:07:40.356 A:middle >> Wow. 00:07:40.886 --> 00:07:47.066 A:middle >> So, being-- You know, just facing this huge population 00:07:47.066 --> 00:07:48.566 A:middle in a school was overwhelming. 00:07:49.246 --> 00:07:51.656 A:middle Now, besides that, of course, the language. 00:07:51.876 --> 00:07:54.326 A:middle So I came knowing nothing of English, 00:07:54.936 --> 00:07:56.496 A:middle so I had to learn from zero. 00:07:57.196 --> 00:07:59.306 A:middle And I will say that that was one 00:07:59.306 --> 00:08:01.876 A:middle of the most difficult things too for me. 00:08:02.196 --> 00:08:04.476 A:middle >> Oh, I can only imagine. 00:08:04.476 --> 00:08:04.576 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:08:04.576 --> 00:08:07.316 A:middle >> So you came here without speaking English at all 00:08:07.316 --> 00:08:10.566 A:middle and then you're, you know, immersed into this high school 00:08:10.566 --> 00:08:12.456 A:middle with 3, 4,000 students there. 00:08:13.006 --> 00:08:15.996 A:middle What sort of programs were you placed into? 00:08:15.996 --> 00:08:17.846 A:middle Was it-- Was there something that was set 00:08:17.846 --> 00:08:20.366 A:middle up to accommodate English language learner 00:08:20.366 --> 00:08:21.036 A:middle at the high school? 00:08:21.036 --> 00:08:22.716 A:middle What does that look like? 00:08:22.786 --> 00:08:23.486 A:middle >> Yes, yes. 00:08:23.536 --> 00:08:25.336 A:middle There was an ESL program. 00:08:25.396 --> 00:08:28.136 A:middle So I was placed in the lowest level. 00:08:28.866 --> 00:08:34.806 A:middle That was the first time it was very shocking, I guess, 00:08:34.806 --> 00:08:39.536 A:middle in my opinion because I arrived at 16 years old, 00:08:39.536 --> 00:08:42.346 A:middle that means I was already a junior in high school. 00:08:43.536 --> 00:08:46.746 A:middle And when I got placed in high school, they just told me, OK, 00:08:46.746 --> 00:08:53.806 A:middle this is your ESL class level 1, and my math class was Algebra 1. 00:08:53.906 --> 00:08:59.746 A:middle And it back in Mexico, since I'm telling you I'm a nerd, 00:09:00.336 --> 00:09:01.706 A:middle I was very advanced in my math. 00:09:01.896 --> 00:09:05.356 A:middle So I was ready to be Trigonometry, Precalculus level. 00:09:06.556 --> 00:09:12.336 A:middle And when I came in and I saw my classmates being seniors 00:09:12.406 --> 00:09:15.846 A:middle or juniors and not knowing Algebra 1 00:09:16.016 --> 00:09:19.026 A:middle for me was a little shocking and I didn't understand why. 00:09:19.286 --> 00:09:24.276 A:middle Why would they were seniors taking basic skills math? 00:09:24.446 --> 00:09:26.806 A:middle And eventually through my-- 00:09:26.866 --> 00:09:30.606 A:middle I think my teacher for the ESL class, 00:09:30.606 --> 00:09:32.496 A:middle she noticed that I was very smart. 00:09:33.376 --> 00:09:36.376 A:middle So she told me, I could move you to a higher level 00:09:36.456 --> 00:09:38.586 A:middle or even two higher levels if you want. 00:09:39.496 --> 00:09:41.366 A:middle And I said, sure, you know, move me up. 00:09:41.426 --> 00:09:45.446 A:middle And I'm-- So, I found out that I could request to my counselor 00:09:45.766 --> 00:09:48.536 A:middle through her to move me higher levels. 00:09:49.196 --> 00:09:51.176 A:middle So when I went to talk to my counselor, 00:09:52.326 --> 00:09:53.976 A:middle he was one of my obstacles [laughter]. 00:09:55.476 --> 00:10:02.656 A:middle He was very not supportive, I guess, to say, because he tried 00:10:02.656 --> 00:10:06.016 A:middle to intimidate me to tell me, well, the next level 00:10:06.016 --> 00:10:08.726 A:middle for ESL is full, there is no more room. 00:10:09.396 --> 00:10:11.956 A:middle And, you know, if I jump you to two levels, 00:10:12.606 --> 00:10:13.916 A:middle that's going to be very difficult. 00:10:14.716 --> 00:10:16.276 A:middle And I said, I don't care. 00:10:16.276 --> 00:10:19.626 A:middle I want to be two levels higher. 00:10:19.626 --> 00:10:25.296 A:middle And I went to two levels higher and I asked him also, can-- 00:10:25.466 --> 00:10:28.056 A:middle so then, can I-- can you jump me more math levels? 00:10:28.096 --> 00:10:30.646 A:middle And he's like, well, I can place you to geometry. 00:10:31.176 --> 00:10:32.386 A:middle Sure, place me to geometry. 00:10:32.576 --> 00:10:34.276 A:middle >> Something you'd already done in Mexico. 00:10:34.416 --> 00:10:36.756 A:middle >> Yes. Sure, place me something higher. 00:10:37.056 --> 00:10:37.276 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:10:38.546 --> 00:10:43.596 A:middle >> So, when I got to these levels in my math and English, 00:10:44.756 --> 00:10:48.116 A:middle again, my ESL teacher or second language class, 00:10:48.586 --> 00:10:51.076 A:middle she was very happy with me so she told me, OK, 00:10:51.076 --> 00:10:52.406 A:middle I'm going to jump you in another level. 00:10:52.406 --> 00:10:57.776 A:middle So they kept skipping me levels and in the math class. 00:10:57.776 --> 00:11:00.306 A:middle And I found out about the Jaime Escalante Program 00:11:00.666 --> 00:11:01.716 A:middle that I could take it at ELAC. 00:11:01.996 --> 00:11:05.376 A:middle So I started getting involved into other things. 00:11:06.166 --> 00:11:11.466 A:middle And then I found out that I could go to night classes 00:11:11.466 --> 00:11:14.636 A:middle and take more classes, so I could complete my requirements 00:11:14.636 --> 00:11:15.886 A:middle to graduate from high school. 00:11:16.246 --> 00:11:18.496 A:middle >> Where were the night classes that, was at ELAC or was 00:11:18.496 --> 00:11:19.196 A:middle that through the high school? 00:11:19.196 --> 00:11:20.266 A:middle >> No it was through the high school, 00:11:20.266 --> 00:11:21.496 A:middle at Roosevelt High School. 00:11:21.646 --> 00:11:21.896 A:middle >> OK. 00:11:21.896 --> 00:11:23.236 A:middle >> Aha, vocation wise. 00:11:23.306 --> 00:11:24.366 A:middle So I was doing this. 00:11:25.236 --> 00:11:30.776 A:middle And-- I mean, I was taking all the classes possible to graduate 00:11:30.776 --> 00:11:33.876 A:middle and my language was a difficulty. 00:11:34.436 --> 00:11:36.636 A:middle And I would grab a book 00:11:36.636 --> 00:11:41.146 A:middle and I will have my translator dictionary with me at all times. 00:11:41.966 --> 00:11:45.206 A:middle And I would translate every single word I didn't understand. 00:11:45.206 --> 00:11:48.396 A:middle It will take me seven hours to complete an assignment, 00:11:48.536 --> 00:11:50.186 A:middle but I would translate everything. 00:11:50.916 --> 00:11:51.996 A:middle >> Wow, right, right. 00:11:52.066 --> 00:11:53.126 A:middle >> So I will work so hard. 00:11:53.756 --> 00:11:55.146 A:middle >> What kind of support were you getting 00:11:55.146 --> 00:11:56.616 A:middle at home while you were doing all this work? 00:11:56.616 --> 00:11:59.516 A:middle Was your father and mother supportive of, OK, 00:11:59.516 --> 00:12:01.516 A:middle this is what Ana is interested in academically? 00:12:02.276 --> 00:12:02.436 A:middle >> No [laughter]. 00:12:02.646 --> 00:12:07.946 A:middle No. They were just OK with me staying in my corner 00:12:07.946 --> 00:12:10.776 A:middle for seven hours and not moving from there, 00:12:10.776 --> 00:12:12.896 A:middle because like I told you, we were very low income. 00:12:13.006 --> 00:12:16.506 A:middle So, we were a family of four living in a single. 00:12:16.676 --> 00:12:16.766 A:middle >> OK. 00:12:16.886 --> 00:12:19.126 A:middle >> So then-- So I have to have my own corner. 00:12:19.956 --> 00:12:20.066 A:middle >> Right. 00:12:21.466 --> 00:12:23.016 A:middle >> Then eventually I found 00:12:23.016 --> 00:12:25.516 A:middle out that there is a continuation high school 00:12:26.246 --> 00:12:27.756 A:middle where you work at your own pace. 00:12:28.096 --> 00:12:29.376 A:middle >> OK, right. 00:12:29.376 --> 00:12:31.776 A:middle >> I wasn't sure about that. 00:12:32.046 --> 00:12:35.236 A:middle So then, when I finished my first year high school, 00:12:35.366 --> 00:12:37.816 A:middle I went back to my counselor and he wanted 00:12:37.856 --> 00:12:41.386 A:middle to give me a music class, an art class, 00:12:41.386 --> 00:12:45.606 A:middle and all this non-academic classes I needed to graduate. 00:12:45.836 --> 00:12:48.526 A:middle So when I told him, can you give me physics? 00:12:48.596 --> 00:12:49.766 A:middle Can you give me chemistry? 00:12:49.766 --> 00:12:51.526 A:middle Can you give me all of these classes? 00:12:51.526 --> 00:12:54.846 A:middle He said, no, you're not ready for it. 00:12:54.846 --> 00:12:57.816 A:middle So I wonder, well, how did he know that I wasn't ready for it? 00:12:57.846 --> 00:13:00.566 A:middle And then I told him, well, if you don't give me those classes, 00:13:00.566 --> 00:13:02.846 A:middle then I'm going to drop this high school and I'm going 00:13:02.846 --> 00:13:04.516 A:middle to go to a continuation. 00:13:05.396 --> 00:13:09.356 A:middle And he said, sure, you could do that, but you will not graduate. 00:13:09.536 --> 00:13:12.326 A:middle And if you even graduate, you will not go to college. 00:13:12.326 --> 00:13:13.206 A:middle That's what he said. 00:13:13.206 --> 00:13:14.766 A:middle >> Wow. Oh, gosh. 00:13:14.886 --> 00:13:17.936 A:middle >> So, that's why I'm telling you my counselor was the most 00:13:17.936 --> 00:13:21.026 A:middle supportive person who came in my life [laughter]. 00:13:21.206 --> 00:13:24.176 A:middle He was the one that just telling me, no, 00:13:24.866 --> 00:13:28.176 A:middle you're not going to make it. 00:13:28.176 --> 00:13:29.856 A:middle >> Did his counseling so to speak, 00:13:30.086 --> 00:13:31.606 A:middle did that sort of inspire you? 00:13:31.606 --> 00:13:32.686 A:middle Like if you're going to tell me, no, 00:13:32.686 --> 00:13:33.936 A:middle then I want to show you that I can? 00:13:34.186 --> 00:13:35.716 A:middle Or was it more of something that, hey, 00:13:35.716 --> 00:13:37.256 A:middle this is somebody who's supposed 00:13:37.256 --> 00:13:40.056 A:middle to have expertise I should listen to him? 00:13:40.056 --> 00:13:45.606 A:middle >> No. I believe that I was probably very rebelled, I guess, 00:13:45.606 --> 00:13:46.956 A:middle against-- into many things. 00:13:46.956 --> 00:13:47.736 A:middle >> OK. 00:13:48.786 --> 00:13:52.296 A:middle >> Even like when my mom would tell me, you have to learn 00:13:52.526 --> 00:13:55.836 A:middle to cook because you cannot get married, I will fight with her 00:13:55.836 --> 00:13:56.846 A:middle and I will tell her, no. 00:13:56.846 --> 00:14:01.316 A:middle I will pay a cook or something [laughter]. 00:14:01.316 --> 00:14:06.506 A:middle So I always had the mentality and at some point, 00:14:06.646 --> 00:14:08.576 A:middle I'm glad that I had that mentality 00:14:08.606 --> 00:14:12.386 A:middle because when all this negativity came through my life, 00:14:12.996 --> 00:14:15.006 A:middle somehow I was able to overcome them. 00:14:15.006 --> 00:14:16.076 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:14:16.326 --> 00:14:19.846 A:middle >> So I was always like, fighting for whatever I wanted. 00:14:20.016 --> 00:14:20.386 A:middle >> OK. 00:14:20.386 --> 00:14:22.396 A:middle >> Even though it was very difficult to get to there, 00:14:22.506 --> 00:14:23.826 A:middle I was always fighting for it. 00:14:24.476 --> 00:14:26.546 A:middle >> Yeah, it seems like as you're telling your story 00:14:26.546 --> 00:14:29.396 A:middle that there was the pushback against the conventions 00:14:29.396 --> 00:14:31.706 A:middle that your family thought that you should be pursuing-- 00:14:31.706 --> 00:14:31.773 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:14:31.773 --> 00:14:33.726 A:middle >> -- and then as you made your way into Roosevelt, 00:14:33.726 --> 00:14:35.546 A:middle here's a counselor telling you what you should do 00:14:35.546 --> 00:14:37.436 A:middle and you're saying, no, there's something else that I have 00:14:37.436 --> 00:14:39.086 A:middle in mind, something else that I see for my future 00:14:39.086 --> 00:14:40.646 A:middle that I'm going to be pursuing. 00:14:41.186 --> 00:14:41.256 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:14:41.686 --> 00:14:42.266 A:middle >> Interesting. 00:14:42.536 --> 00:14:44.276 A:middle >> So, I didn't listen to him. 00:14:44.276 --> 00:14:46.226 A:middle I went to the continuation high school. 00:14:46.676 --> 00:14:50.106 A:middle I was working nonstop. 00:14:50.106 --> 00:14:51.706 A:middle Even for my English class-- 00:14:51.956 --> 00:14:56.956 A:middle Eventually I became a regular English level in high school. 00:14:57.746 --> 00:15:02.936 A:middle And the requirement for our classes were read a book, 00:15:03.456 --> 00:15:06.806 A:middle take a test on the book, like a quiz, like 20 questions 00:15:06.806 --> 00:15:09.456 A:middle from the book, if you pass it and write an essay, 00:15:09.716 --> 00:15:13.296 A:middle and then you get points for you to complete the class. 00:15:13.476 --> 00:15:16.666 A:middle So, I placed first place in reading. 00:15:16.916 --> 00:15:20.276 A:middle So I was the person that read the most books 00:15:20.276 --> 00:15:22.246 A:middle in that continuation high school. 00:15:23.386 --> 00:15:28.286 A:middle And through that principal, he was very supportive actually. 00:15:28.286 --> 00:15:29.736 A:middle He was actually supportive. 00:15:29.956 --> 00:15:32.496 A:middle He was the one that start giving me information 00:15:32.496 --> 00:15:33.796 A:middle about the community college. 00:15:34.276 --> 00:15:34.576 A:middle >> OK. 00:15:34.856 --> 00:15:37.246 A:middle >> So from him, I find out that, oh, 00:15:37.246 --> 00:15:39.166 A:middle I could go to community college. 00:15:39.166 --> 00:15:41.636 A:middle And if I don't have money, I could apply for a fee waiver 00:15:42.176 --> 00:15:43.796 A:middle and I don't have to worry about anything else. 00:15:44.466 --> 00:15:47.226 A:middle And then-- Well, just go to get registered to my class. 00:15:47.226 --> 00:15:49.846 A:middle >> Right. So that's sort of marking that transition 00:15:49.846 --> 00:15:53.746 A:middle as your sort of coming perhaps to the end of your high school? 00:15:53.816 --> 00:15:54.056 A:middle >> Yes. 00:15:54.056 --> 00:15:56.816 A:middle >> Sort of experience to moving towards community college. 00:15:56.876 --> 00:15:57.156 A:middle >> Yes. 00:15:57.526 --> 00:15:57.646 A:middle >> OK. 00:15:57.796 --> 00:16:01.576 A:middle >> But then, when I was finished in high school, 00:16:01.886 --> 00:16:08.466 A:middle then it was my dad who has this macho mentality 00:16:08.466 --> 00:16:10.326 A:middle that you don't educate women. 00:16:10.706 --> 00:16:15.736 A:middle Because women will get pregnant, will get married, 00:16:15.736 --> 00:16:18.106 A:middle and then their education is going to the trash. 00:16:18.106 --> 00:16:20.596 A:middle So my dad always had that mentality. 00:16:21.266 --> 00:16:24.266 A:middle And I had to even go against my dad's will. 00:16:24.546 --> 00:16:25.516 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:16:26.176 --> 00:16:28.876 A:middle >> So he said, just go to-- 00:16:29.126 --> 00:16:30.676 A:middle How do you call those schools where-- 00:16:30.676 --> 00:16:31.246 A:middle >> A trade school? 00:16:31.466 --> 00:16:34.116 A:middle >> Like the trade school, uh-huh, to get something short, 00:16:34.526 --> 00:16:37.256 A:middle finish, get a good job that pays $13 an hour. 00:16:38.016 --> 00:16:40.776 A:middle And I said, no, I don't want $13. 00:16:40.816 --> 00:16:42.376 A:middle I want more [laughs]. 00:16:42.906 --> 00:16:43.816 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:16:44.096 --> 00:16:48.376 A:middle >> And I-- that's how I just went against my dad. 00:16:48.766 --> 00:16:50.576 A:middle I started at ELAC. 00:16:50.576 --> 00:16:52.376 A:middle I didn't know anything at ELAC. 00:16:52.896 --> 00:16:56.666 A:middle And in order for me to get through ELAC, I was the type 00:16:56.666 --> 00:16:59.436 A:middle of person that I will read the entire catalog 00:16:59.856 --> 00:17:02.536 A:middle to find the answers of my doubts. 00:17:02.656 --> 00:17:06.086 A:middle If I will find a flyer that says, oh, 00:17:06.086 --> 00:17:09.626 A:middle there's this workshop hub how to write an essay, I will go. 00:17:10.166 --> 00:17:12.426 A:middle If there is a tutoring center, I will go. 00:17:12.426 --> 00:17:14.366 A:middle I will go to every single thing 00:17:14.846 --> 00:17:17.326 A:middle and that's how I start getting into. 00:17:17.786 --> 00:17:21.356 A:middle So, and little by little I start talking to people 00:17:21.356 --> 00:17:24.476 A:middle that were involved into science, math majors, 00:17:24.796 --> 00:17:27.736 A:middle and I came across the MESA program at ELAC. 00:17:27.736 --> 00:17:27.836 A:middle >> OK. 00:17:28.276 --> 00:17:29.946 A:middle >> That math, engineering and science. 00:17:30.906 --> 00:17:35.216 A:middle And through them, it was a great experience 00:17:35.216 --> 00:17:37.416 A:middle because I started building my own community 00:17:37.416 --> 00:17:39.836 A:middle of people with my same goals. 00:17:40.536 --> 00:17:43.916 A:middle We have science, we're going through the same struggle, 00:17:44.726 --> 00:17:46.886 A:middle and it was like a supportive group. 00:17:48.316 --> 00:17:51.156 A:middle And even though it was very difficult, we were able 00:17:51.156 --> 00:17:55.056 A:middle to actually go through the whole process of finishing 00:17:55.056 --> 00:17:57.546 A:middle at ELAC and transferring. 00:17:58.556 --> 00:18:00.596 A:middle >> So was there ever a time when you're in ELAC 00:18:00.596 --> 00:18:02.386 A:middle that you had trouble with a particular class 00:18:02.386 --> 00:18:05.006 A:middle or with a particular professor? 00:18:05.006 --> 00:18:06.346 A:middle Was that fairly just things for you? 00:18:07.646 --> 00:18:08.816 A:middle >> No, it was always a challenge. 00:18:09.236 --> 00:18:14.596 A:middle I consider myself that even though I was a nerd, 00:18:14.596 --> 00:18:17.006 A:middle I was not a straight A student. 00:18:17.666 --> 00:18:22.186 A:middle So I will get B, some classes I will get C. Mainly Cs were 00:18:22.316 --> 00:18:24.456 A:middle like psychology to chemistry, 00:18:24.556 --> 00:18:25.996 A:middle that is where you have to read a lot. 00:18:26.296 --> 00:18:28.076 A:middle And I will forget-- fall behind. 00:18:28.876 --> 00:18:31.626 A:middle So I think-- I mean, I started 00:18:31.626 --> 00:18:34.326 A:middle at ELAC two years after I immigrated. 00:18:35.126 --> 00:18:38.006 A:middle So, I had to struggle with learning all my map 00:18:38.656 --> 00:18:40.806 A:middle and still learning the language. 00:18:41.166 --> 00:18:44.896 A:middle So I feel like that fact that I had to be learning the language, 00:18:44.926 --> 00:18:47.726 A:middle it will hold me a little bit back for-- 00:18:47.806 --> 00:18:49.716 A:middle to get my As in my math classes. 00:18:50.836 --> 00:18:51.246 A:middle >> Right. 00:18:51.636 --> 00:18:53.956 A:middle >> I mean, I remember being in trigonometry, 00:18:53.956 --> 00:18:57.406 A:middle and I remember getting stuck in my homework at 2 in the morning. 00:18:57.896 --> 00:19:00.996 A:middle And it was not easy. 00:19:01.216 --> 00:19:01.326 A:middle >> Right. 00:19:01.326 --> 00:19:02.956 A:middle >> What do you think was the-- 00:19:02.956 --> 00:19:04.596 A:middle what were the things that you learn to do 00:19:04.596 --> 00:19:07.466 A:middle that helped you become more successful, as you transition 00:19:07.466 --> 00:19:10.956 A:middle from trig to calc, since that's what you are teaching now? 00:19:11.686 --> 00:19:17.216 A:middle >> Like I tell my students, you really have to work hard. 00:19:17.916 --> 00:19:20.316 A:middle You really have to make a sacrifice. 00:19:20.356 --> 00:19:23.426 A:middle If you're not willing to make a sacrifice, 00:19:24.146 --> 00:19:26.016 A:middle then that's when the problem comes in. 00:19:26.556 --> 00:19:32.756 A:middle And by my sacrifice, I mean that it was not easy to be staying 00:19:32.756 --> 00:19:35.036 A:middle up until 2 or 3 in the morning. 00:19:35.586 --> 00:19:38.836 A:middle And then by the time I was at ELAC, 00:19:38.836 --> 00:19:41.526 A:middle we had already a two bedroom apartment in my house. 00:19:43.226 --> 00:19:44.756 A:middle But then when I was doing my homework, 00:19:44.756 --> 00:19:45.906 A:middle I will be in the kitchen. 00:19:46.316 --> 00:19:47.786 A:middle And sometimes just being 00:19:47.786 --> 00:19:49.876 A:middle in the kitchen sometimes is not the best environment. 00:19:49.876 --> 00:19:49.996 A:middle >> Sure. 00:19:49.996 --> 00:19:51.736 A:middle >> Because you're getting expose to-- 00:19:52.076 --> 00:19:54.836 A:middle talk to everybody and they don't have to listen to you. 00:19:55.626 --> 00:20:00.326 A:middle And for instance, another kind of obstacle I came through, 00:20:00.326 --> 00:20:05.296 A:middle it was that-- eventually when I was like in my calculus series 00:20:05.346 --> 00:20:08.576 A:middle and it gets more difficult, I was so excited 00:20:08.576 --> 00:20:11.676 A:middle when I will find places that will stay open until 2 00:20:11.726 --> 00:20:14.976 A:middle in the morning, a Starbucks, a Coffee Bean, a library. 00:20:15.746 --> 00:20:20.366 A:middle And I remember struggling with my mom 00:20:20.366 --> 00:20:23.866 A:middle because she wouldn't believe me that I was studying 00:20:23.866 --> 00:20:25.086 A:middle until 2 in the morning. 00:20:25.526 --> 00:20:27.696 A:middle She will like, no, you're partying with your friends 00:20:27.696 --> 00:20:30.136 A:middle or you're doing something you're not supposed to. 00:20:31.136 --> 00:20:34.236 A:middle And it was a bit of shocking, I would say, 00:20:34.236 --> 00:20:39.006 A:middle because I was literally crying telling her, I'm trying. 00:20:39.316 --> 00:20:43.726 A:middle I'm working so hard and you don't see it, you know. 00:20:44.196 --> 00:20:44.366 A:middle >> Right. 00:20:44.366 --> 00:20:48.906 A:middle >> Eventually, one person that was kind of close to us, 00:20:48.906 --> 00:20:51.236 A:middle so he graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, 00:20:51.916 --> 00:20:55.256 A:middle he told my mom it is true, we do study-- 00:20:55.326 --> 00:20:55.936 A:middle >> Right. 00:20:55.936 --> 00:20:57.146 A:middle >> -- until those hours. 00:20:57.146 --> 00:20:57.376 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:20:57.766 --> 00:21:00.136 A:middle >> And after that, that's when my mom stop fighting with me. 00:21:00.216 --> 00:21:03.886 A:middle >> And so sometimes perhaps that outside perspective is a way 00:21:03.886 --> 00:21:07.116 A:middle of persuading parents that now there's something, you know, 00:21:07.116 --> 00:21:08.366 A:middle more than I'm doing here. 00:21:08.486 --> 00:21:08.676 A:middle >> Yeah, yeah. 00:21:08.676 --> 00:21:10.246 A:middle >> Something that you're not perhaps seeing. 00:21:10.466 --> 00:21:13.006 A:middle Because the way you're describing it is something 00:21:13.256 --> 00:21:16.166 A:middle that is sort of a familiar narrative to me, as I've talked 00:21:16.166 --> 00:21:20.066 A:middle with students, you know, over the years in terms of not sort 00:21:20.066 --> 00:21:23.426 A:middle of having the familial support of mom and dad, 00:21:23.516 --> 00:21:25.476 A:middle really understanding the amount of time and effort 00:21:25.476 --> 00:21:26.546 A:middle and work that's required-- 00:21:26.636 --> 00:21:26.746 A:middle >> Yes. 00:21:26.746 --> 00:21:29.136 A:middle >> -- to be successful in school, and almost to the point 00:21:29.136 --> 00:21:33.276 A:middle in some instances where the parents are discouraging their 00:21:33.276 --> 00:21:34.936 A:middle child to do it. 00:21:34.936 --> 00:21:37.936 A:middle And then you're-- as you described your story as well 00:21:37.936 --> 00:21:40.586 A:middle that you all along the way it seems like you were able 00:21:40.586 --> 00:21:44.026 A:middle to identify what we call now, you know, help seeking behavior 00:21:44.416 --> 00:21:47.416 A:middle where you-- whether it was reading the entire catalog, 00:21:47.826 --> 00:21:51.356 A:middle whether it was, you know, finding perhaps the right group 00:21:51.356 --> 00:21:53.796 A:middle to study with or as you're describing at home, 00:21:54.176 --> 00:21:57.036 A:middle understanding that I can't really work at home here 00:21:57.036 --> 00:21:59.286 A:middle in the kitchen, so instead, I'm going to find a place outside 00:21:59.286 --> 00:22:01.146 A:middle of it and take more control over my environment. 00:22:01.266 --> 00:22:03.306 A:middle Those are characteristics a lot of times 00:22:03.306 --> 00:22:05.606 A:middle that we typically associate with students who-- 00:22:05.906 --> 00:22:07.106 A:middle whose parents went to college 00:22:07.466 --> 00:22:09.756 A:middle who have an environment sometimes 00:22:09.756 --> 00:22:11.076 A:middle where they really are supportive. 00:22:11.556 --> 00:22:15.356 A:middle And so, it-- I think it's a really interesting and inspiring 00:22:15.356 --> 00:22:18.276 A:middle to hear how you, you know, you discovered this on your own, 00:22:18.466 --> 00:22:20.686 A:middle in a way sort of along the way. 00:22:20.846 --> 00:22:23.136 A:middle I wonder where that came from, you know, 00:22:23.496 --> 00:22:25.816 A:middle how was it that you were able to sort of do that. 00:22:25.816 --> 00:22:27.546 A:middle Because, again, the college here, one of the things 00:22:27.546 --> 00:22:30.906 A:middle that we've been talking about in the tutoring area is that a lot 00:22:30.906 --> 00:22:32.786 A:middle of times the students who would benefit 00:22:32.786 --> 00:22:34.036 A:middle from tutoring aren't using it. 00:22:34.606 --> 00:22:36.546 A:middle And so, you know, we like to say, well, 00:22:36.546 --> 00:22:38.266 A:middle perhaps they don't have the help seeking skills. 00:22:38.266 --> 00:22:40.366 A:middle They don't know how to ask for help or where to ask for help. 00:22:40.406 --> 00:22:44.076 A:middle But again, your story is a complete counterpoint to that. 00:22:44.286 --> 00:22:44.426 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:22:44.426 --> 00:22:46.316 A:middle >> Someone who's new to the country, new to the language, 00:22:46.316 --> 00:22:49.666 A:middle but yet has this incredible drive and understands how 00:22:49.666 --> 00:22:51.706 A:middle to get the help that she needs. 00:22:51.706 --> 00:22:55.286 A:middle What do you-- I mean, any ideas on where that came from for you? 00:22:55.286 --> 00:22:59.686 A:middle >> I mean, I guess there was some motivation just 00:22:59.976 --> 00:23:01.486 A:middle to moving forward. 00:23:01.626 --> 00:23:07.526 A:middle And because it's very difficult, I find it-- I mean, when-- 00:23:07.736 --> 00:23:11.416 A:middle since I was a student at ELAC, eventually I became a tutor 00:23:11.606 --> 00:23:16.256 A:middle at the math tutoring lab. 00:23:16.366 --> 00:23:16.466 A:middle >> OK. 00:23:16.466 --> 00:23:18.806 A:middle >> And I know that difficulty many times 00:23:18.806 --> 00:23:21.456 A:middle as students don't want to ask for help. 00:23:21.616 --> 00:23:23.966 A:middle They feel that asking for help is to show 00:23:23.966 --> 00:23:25.996 A:middle that you're not good enough, that you're dumb, 00:23:25.996 --> 00:23:28.226 A:middle like they start thinking all of these different things. 00:23:28.226 --> 00:23:29.496 A:middle >> Right, some sign of weakness. 00:23:29.676 --> 00:23:30.266 A:middle >> Yes. 00:23:30.616 --> 00:23:30.816 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:23:30.956 --> 00:23:34.326 A:middle >> And, I mean, eventually through all the time, 00:23:35.076 --> 00:23:38.576 A:middle I remember approaching students and asking, oh, what was your-- 00:23:38.576 --> 00:23:40.576 A:middle was-- what you need help on? 00:23:41.366 --> 00:23:43.786 A:middle And they will tell me, first of all, I'm very stupid in math. 00:23:43.936 --> 00:23:46.376 A:middle And I will tell you, first of all, 00:23:46.736 --> 00:23:47.796 A:middle you don't say that [laughter]. 00:23:48.016 --> 00:23:51.316 A:middle And I guess it's always very common. 00:23:51.436 --> 00:23:52.626 A:middle You hear that from students. 00:23:53.226 --> 00:23:57.866 A:middle And, I mean, I had to overcome that because, first of all, 00:23:57.866 --> 00:23:59.366 A:middle my language was so bad. 00:23:59.926 --> 00:24:01.376 A:middle I had to learn. 00:24:01.756 --> 00:24:04.856 A:middle And then eventually at some point, I didn't even know how 00:24:04.856 --> 00:24:08.786 A:middle to communicate, how to ask the correct way. 00:24:09.546 --> 00:24:11.436 A:middle And, but I will have to find my way. 00:24:11.986 --> 00:24:15.486 A:middle And if they had a transfer, I did it-- I started at ELAC. 00:24:15.486 --> 00:24:16.886 A:middle I didn't have to transfer. 00:24:17.256 --> 00:24:19.266 A:middle Eventually somebody told me, oh, you're supposed 00:24:19.326 --> 00:24:23.566 A:middle to complete this requirement so you can move out of here. 00:24:24.606 --> 00:24:26.276 A:middle And then I'm like, oh, OK, 00:24:26.276 --> 00:24:27.796 A:middle you're supposed to get out of here. 00:24:27.856 --> 00:24:29.406 A:middle OK, sure, I'll get out of here. 00:24:29.616 --> 00:24:29.816 A:middle >> OK. 00:24:29.816 --> 00:24:34.796 A:middle >> But I had to overcome the feeling of embarrassment 00:24:34.796 --> 00:24:36.206 A:middle of asking the question. 00:24:36.406 --> 00:24:37.226 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:24:37.226 --> 00:24:39.076 A:middle >> Because I feel that that's many of the problems 00:24:39.116 --> 00:24:40.996 A:middle that we don't want to ask. 00:24:41.066 --> 00:24:42.166 A:middle We feel embarrassed. 00:24:42.356 --> 00:24:43.146 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:24:43.146 --> 00:24:45.896 A:middle >> So I was double embarrassed because I have to ask a question 00:24:45.896 --> 00:24:47.726 A:middle and then sometimes they don't understand me 00:24:47.726 --> 00:24:49.026 A:middle because my language was so bad. 00:24:49.556 --> 00:24:53.936 A:middle And it's just something that we really have to overcome. 00:24:54.536 --> 00:24:58.676 A:middle >> So as you describe your story here, then you had this, 00:24:58.886 --> 00:25:00.636 A:middle you know, incredible-- which you kind 00:25:00.636 --> 00:25:01.626 A:middle of I think painted the picture 00:25:01.626 --> 00:25:04.536 A:middle in the beginning an incredible motivation to sort 00:25:04.536 --> 00:25:07.396 A:middle of pursue this academic sort of pathway. 00:25:07.396 --> 00:25:07.566 A:middle >> Yes. 00:25:07.696 --> 00:25:09.696 A:middle >> And it brought you from Mexico 00:25:09.696 --> 00:25:12.676 A:middle to Los Angeles to Roosevelt to ELAC. 00:25:13.036 --> 00:25:15.226 A:middle You get the information out at ELAC that, OK, you know, 00:25:15.226 --> 00:25:16.696 A:middle you have to transfer beyond here. 00:25:17.026 --> 00:25:18.986 A:middle What were your next steps as you moved from ELAC 00:25:18.986 --> 00:25:20.296 A:middle to the university then? 00:25:21.046 --> 00:25:28.716 A:middle >> So my next step was during MESA it was 00:25:28.716 --> 00:25:29.956 A:middle like the best program I got. 00:25:30.476 --> 00:25:32.346 A:middle I started as a volunteer tutor. 00:25:32.346 --> 00:25:35.736 A:middle And they did this great thing that they recommended me 00:25:35.806 --> 00:25:37.746 A:middle to an internship at UCLA. 00:25:37.906 --> 00:25:38.226 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:25:38.496 --> 00:25:40.016 A:middle >> So everybody is excited right now. 00:25:40.256 --> 00:25:42.376 A:middle Everyone is excited for me, even I'm like, OK, 00:25:42.476 --> 00:25:43.926 A:middle I'm not sure what I'm getting into. 00:25:43.926 --> 00:25:45.736 A:middle I didn't even know what an internship was. 00:25:46.656 --> 00:25:50.776 A:middle And even I remember that the person they spoke with, he said, 00:25:50.776 --> 00:25:53.366 A:middle OK, I'll talk to her and I'll have her call you back. 00:25:53.486 --> 00:25:54.806 A:middle Because he wanted to make sure he-- 00:25:54.866 --> 00:25:56.706 A:middle I understood first when they were talking to me, 00:25:56.746 --> 00:25:58.456 A:middle so it was an internship offered to me. 00:25:59.476 --> 00:26:04.066 A:middle I went to UCLA as an intern and I didn't like it being there. 00:26:04.476 --> 00:26:05.466 A:middle So, I don't know why. 00:26:05.466 --> 00:26:05.966 A:middle I don't know. 00:26:05.966 --> 00:26:07.116 A:middle And then eventually-- 00:26:07.116 --> 00:26:08.876 A:middle >> Something just didn't click being there. 00:26:08.956 --> 00:26:09.766 A:middle >> Something didn't click. 00:26:09.766 --> 00:26:09.926 A:middle >> OK. 00:26:10.556 --> 00:26:15.286 A:middle >> Now, when I became-- when I finished all my transfer courses 00:26:15.286 --> 00:26:18.036 A:middle and I was ready to apply to all these places, 00:26:18.756 --> 00:26:23.866 A:middle so I apply to Santa Barbara, San Diego, UCLA, one more, 00:26:23.866 --> 00:26:26.076 A:middle I don't remember, in many Cal states. 00:26:26.156 --> 00:26:28.186 A:middle So I get accepted into every single school. 00:26:29.016 --> 00:26:32.746 A:middle So, everybody tells me, you have to go to UCLA. 00:26:33.316 --> 00:26:34.566 A:middle And I was thinking, I didn't 00:26:34.566 --> 00:26:36.486 A:middle like being there when I was an intern. 00:26:37.666 --> 00:26:39.986 A:middle But people kept on telling me it's going to look good 00:26:39.986 --> 00:26:41.906 A:middle on your resume, so and so and so. 00:26:42.216 --> 00:26:46.136 A:middle So I decided to transfer to UCLA and I was never happy there. 00:26:47.486 --> 00:26:52.666 A:middle I felt very lonely and I think because my language was still 00:26:52.666 --> 00:26:54.946 A:middle like a barrier for me to socialize. 00:26:55.806 --> 00:26:59.596 A:middle Just the environment didn't click for me. 00:26:59.846 --> 00:27:02.316 A:middle I was never happy. 00:27:02.526 --> 00:27:05.086 A:middle And then at some point I'm like, I have to get out of here. 00:27:06.076 --> 00:27:09.876 A:middle So it was very difficult to accept to leave UCLA-- 00:27:09.966 --> 00:27:10.406 A:middle >> Right. 00:27:10.406 --> 00:27:12.426 A:middle >> -- because it was a dream school for many-- 00:27:12.426 --> 00:27:12.816 A:middle >> Right. 00:27:12.816 --> 00:27:14.206 A:middle >> -- and I was not happy there. 00:27:14.206 --> 00:27:15.036 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:27:15.036 --> 00:27:18.756 A:middle Again, the rebellious streak and Ana comes through. 00:27:18.886 --> 00:27:19.456 A:middle >> Yeah. Yeah. 00:27:19.456 --> 00:27:23.416 A:middle So, I felt like the only reason that I went there was 00:27:23.416 --> 00:27:25.486 A:middle because I had all these feedback 00:27:25.486 --> 00:27:29.336 A:middle of all many people telling me you have to go to UCLA. 00:27:29.706 --> 00:27:31.176 A:middle So at some point, I said, you know what, 00:27:31.176 --> 00:27:32.416 A:middle I can't handle anymore. 00:27:32.606 --> 00:27:36.636 A:middle I was there for two quarters and I was miserable. 00:27:36.986 --> 00:27:40.746 A:middle I miss home because I had a mom behind me always telling me, 00:27:40.746 --> 00:27:41.966 A:middle you have to come home. 00:27:42.286 --> 00:27:45.406 A:middle Why are you over there and da-da-da-da. 00:27:45.406 --> 00:27:49.356 A:middle So, I feel like also when your parents don't let you fly 00:27:49.356 --> 00:27:52.576 A:middle and they put all these fears in your head, 00:27:52.576 --> 00:27:56.216 A:middle that is difficult to face it. 00:27:56.476 --> 00:28:01.846 A:middle I end up moving back home and I moved to Cal State LA. 00:28:02.786 --> 00:28:02.956 A:middle >> OK. 00:28:03.246 --> 00:28:05.366 A:middle >> And I was fine, after all. 00:28:05.646 --> 00:28:08.326 A:middle I met a lot of Asian friends and I'm so happy 00:28:08.326 --> 00:28:09.706 A:middle because I love Asian food. 00:28:09.976 --> 00:28:14.616 A:middle I learned to use my chopsticks. 00:28:14.896 --> 00:28:16.936 A:middle I learned to eat sushi. 00:28:17.716 --> 00:28:23.026 A:middle So, I really, really enjoyed being at Cal State LA. 00:28:23.026 --> 00:28:25.436 A:middle And when people will tell me, oh, 00:28:25.436 --> 00:28:27.156 A:middle UCLA is better than Cal State LA. 00:28:27.156 --> 00:28:32.186 A:middle I will question that a lot, because my professors 00:28:32.186 --> 00:28:35.086 A:middle from Cal State LA were not different from the ones at UCLA. 00:28:35.896 --> 00:28:39.636 A:middle I feel that my professors, so I-- Cal State LA were as bright. 00:28:39.916 --> 00:28:41.656 A:middle They were good professors. 00:28:41.656 --> 00:28:44.376 A:middle And I'm like, I don't see the difference. 00:28:44.546 --> 00:28:45.476 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:28:45.476 --> 00:28:47.606 A:middle >> You know, I don't see it. 00:28:47.766 --> 00:28:49.516 A:middle I was-- I mean, by the time I transfer, 00:28:49.626 --> 00:28:52.846 A:middle I had only like maybe four, three quarters 00:28:52.906 --> 00:28:54.626 A:middle to complete my, and everything. 00:28:55.426 --> 00:29:00.026 A:middle And I finished my bachelor's. 00:29:00.586 --> 00:29:03.716 A:middle And then now the break-- 00:29:03.716 --> 00:29:07.136 A:middle the best thing I did while I was a student, 00:29:07.496 --> 00:29:11.236 A:middle it was that I thought I wanted to be a high school teacher. 00:29:11.426 --> 00:29:11.596 A:middle >> OK. 00:29:11.806 --> 00:29:15.756 A:middle >> So in order for me to decide if I wanted 00:29:15.756 --> 00:29:18.106 A:middle to be a high school teacher, I always feel like OK, 00:29:18.106 --> 00:29:21.086 A:middle you have to test the water, you have to be exposed to see 00:29:21.086 --> 00:29:22.176 A:middle if you actually like it or not. 00:29:22.176 --> 00:29:22.986 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:29:23.606 --> 00:29:27.206 A:middle >> So I became a high school tutor-- I mean, TA-- 00:29:27.206 --> 00:29:27.476 A:middle >> OK. 00:29:27.706 --> 00:29:29.166 A:middle >> -- at Bell High School. 00:29:30.816 --> 00:29:32.726 A:middle And I was there for a whole year, 00:29:32.886 --> 00:29:34.666 A:middle and I realized I didn't like it. 00:29:35.166 --> 00:29:37.046 A:middle I didn't like to notice. 00:29:38.026 --> 00:29:42.336 A:middle I guess at some point it was very depressing for me 00:29:43.326 --> 00:29:45.366 A:middle that I was helping the counseling office. 00:29:45.676 --> 00:29:50.576 A:middle And for me it was shocking to see transcripts from students 00:29:51.206 --> 00:29:53.286 A:middle that will fail everything 00:29:53.286 --> 00:29:55.446 A:middle and they will be promoted to the next level. 00:29:55.706 --> 00:29:59.536 A:middle And then it took me back to think about, OK, 00:29:59.536 --> 00:30:03.426 A:middle no wonder when I was a high school student I was so advanced 00:30:03.426 --> 00:30:03.976 A:middle and students were not-- 00:30:04.046 --> 00:30:05.056 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:30:05.056 --> 00:30:06.446 A:middle >> -- to the high school level. 00:30:06.446 --> 00:30:07.606 A:middle >> Yes, give you some insight 00:30:07.606 --> 00:30:08.626 A:middle into what was going on when you were-- 00:30:08.626 --> 00:30:08.836 A:middle >> Yes, yes. 00:30:08.836 --> 00:30:09.656 A:middle >> -- a high school student. 00:30:09.656 --> 00:30:12.386 A:middle >> So I was wondering, why are we taking students 00:30:12.386 --> 00:30:14.146 A:middle to the next level when they're not ready? 00:30:14.146 --> 00:30:18.416 A:middle And then I said, well, I don't want to teach these students 00:30:18.416 --> 00:30:20.536 A:middle that will not take it seriously because even 00:30:20.536 --> 00:30:23.336 A:middle if they fail, they get promoted. 00:30:23.336 --> 00:30:23.566 A:middle >> Right. 00:30:24.306 --> 00:30:26.636 A:middle >> I was not-- I didn't agree with that. 00:30:26.636 --> 00:30:28.716 A:middle So I said, no, I don't think I could deal 00:30:28.716 --> 00:30:31.676 A:middle with this political behind idea of this, 00:30:32.336 --> 00:30:34.166 A:middle and I said, I cannot do this. 00:30:34.166 --> 00:30:35.786 A:middle Now, when I was a student at ELAC, 00:30:35.786 --> 00:30:37.766 A:middle I remember my professors will tell me, 00:30:37.946 --> 00:30:39.946 A:middle you have to become a college professor. 00:30:40.076 --> 00:30:43.666 A:middle And I would say, oh my god, it seems impossible for me. 00:30:43.876 --> 00:30:45.266 A:middle It's like dreaming too high. 00:30:45.556 --> 00:30:45.806 A:middle >> Right. 00:30:46.866 --> 00:30:50.096 A:middle >> So the high school experience opened my eyes and I say, yeah, 00:30:50.096 --> 00:30:52.526 A:middle definitely, I would like to become a college professor. 00:30:53.096 --> 00:30:56.946 A:middle And besides, I worked at a tutoring with college students 00:30:56.946 --> 00:30:57.996 A:middle and I really enjoyed it. 00:30:58.236 --> 00:30:58.976 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:30:58.976 --> 00:31:03.656 A:middle >> So feedback about, yes, you can do it and been exposed 00:31:03.706 --> 00:31:05.096 A:middle to it, it really opened my eyes. 00:31:05.096 --> 00:31:07.246 A:middle I say, sure, I could do college teaching. 00:31:07.546 --> 00:31:09.596 A:middle >> Which is such a different sort of story 00:31:09.686 --> 00:31:12.286 A:middle than your high school counselor was telling you in terms 00:31:12.286 --> 00:31:13.396 A:middle of all the things you couldn't do. 00:31:13.616 --> 00:31:13.726 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:31:13.836 --> 00:31:16.246 A:middle >> And then here you're at ELAC and you have, you know, 00:31:16.246 --> 00:31:17.936 A:middle you're surrounded by people who are saying, 00:31:17.936 --> 00:31:18.816 A:middle here's what you can do-- 00:31:18.816 --> 00:31:18.946 A:middle >> Yes. 00:31:18.946 --> 00:31:19.796 A:middle >> -- which is actually, you know, 00:31:19.796 --> 00:31:21.766 A:middle beyond what you were initially thinking was possible. 00:31:21.766 --> 00:31:23.776 A:middle >> Yes. They even recommended me to UCLA. 00:31:23.876 --> 00:31:28.606 A:middle So, even when I went to UCLA as an intern, it was an invitation 00:31:28.766 --> 00:31:31.516 A:middle because my professors recommended me and they said, 00:31:31.516 --> 00:31:32.736 A:middle we have this bright student. 00:31:33.056 --> 00:31:33.456 A:middle >> Right. 00:31:33.456 --> 00:31:35.096 A:middle >> So it was totally different, like you said. 00:31:35.526 --> 00:31:42.366 A:middle So by the time I finished my bachelor's, it was a December, 00:31:42.926 --> 00:31:44.506 A:middle like to finishing in a fall. 00:31:44.506 --> 00:31:49.416 A:middle I had applied for Cal State Long Beach for my master's. 00:31:50.246 --> 00:31:52.986 A:middle And the reason why I wanted to go to Long Beach was 00:31:53.076 --> 00:31:56.396 A:middle because they have a graduate program in statistics. 00:31:56.706 --> 00:31:56.836 A:middle >> OK. 00:31:57.136 --> 00:32:01.926 A:middle >> So the reason I wanted to go for statistics was 00:32:01.956 --> 00:32:06.766 A:middle because when I was a student at ELAC, my professor said 00:32:07.506 --> 00:32:10.426 A:middle if you want to guarantee a job in teaching, 00:32:10.486 --> 00:32:11.356 A:middle make sure you teach math. 00:32:12.116 --> 00:32:12.386 A:middle >> OK. 00:32:12.716 --> 00:32:16.036 A:middle >> Now, if you want to guarantee that you teach math, 00:32:16.396 --> 00:32:17.526 A:middle make sure you teach statistics. 00:32:17.526 --> 00:32:17.736 A:middle >> OK [laughter]. 00:32:19.176 --> 00:32:24.006 A:middle >> So, that was like, ring, ring, like a bell telling me, 00:32:24.656 --> 00:32:26.356 A:middle OK, I have to take statistics. 00:32:26.626 --> 00:32:30.746 A:middle So, I took the statistics at the ELAC level, then I transferred 00:32:30.746 --> 00:32:33.746 A:middle to Cal State LA, took more-- two more statistics classes, 00:32:33.826 --> 00:32:37.226 A:middle the only ones they had there and I really liked it. 00:32:37.516 --> 00:32:41.686 A:middle So when I transfer-- I look for a school with statistics program 00:32:41.686 --> 00:32:42.536 A:middle and it was Long Beach. 00:32:42.726 --> 00:32:42.896 A:middle >> OK. 00:32:43.516 --> 00:32:45.306 A:middle >> I give the same advice to my niece. 00:32:45.456 --> 00:32:46.476 A:middle So she wants my job. 00:32:46.576 --> 00:32:48.706 A:middle And I said, you know, the first thing you got 00:32:48.706 --> 00:32:50.896 A:middle to do is go get a master's in statistics. 00:32:51.096 --> 00:32:52.546 A:middle >> Interesting. 00:32:52.706 --> 00:32:59.346 A:middle >> Yes, and so, I-- so I was finishing the fall semester. 00:32:59.576 --> 00:33:01.876 A:middle I was already accepted for the spring semester, 00:33:02.656 --> 00:33:04.786 A:middle but it was recession time. 00:33:04.786 --> 00:33:08.976 A:middle And I get a letter that says we cannot admit any students 00:33:08.976 --> 00:33:10.216 A:middle for the spring semester. 00:33:10.216 --> 00:33:11.346 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:33:11.346 --> 00:33:13.246 A:middle >> So you have to reapply. 00:33:13.726 --> 00:33:13.966 A:middle >> OK. 00:33:13.966 --> 00:33:16.866 A:middle >> And then-- until the fall if you get accepted. 00:33:17.826 --> 00:33:24.306 A:middle So then there it comes a semester of not studying. 00:33:24.306 --> 00:33:24.436 A:middle >> OK. 00:33:24.476 --> 00:33:27.886 A:middle >> So, I was able to continue working at ELAC 00:33:27.966 --> 00:33:31.146 A:middle because people already had known me there. 00:33:31.146 --> 00:33:33.226 A:middle They know me for a very long time, so they kept 00:33:33.226 --> 00:33:35.366 A:middle on telling me, oh, you have to come back to the tutoring lab. 00:33:35.366 --> 00:33:36.936 A:middle Oh, you have to come back to this program. 00:33:37.476 --> 00:33:39.396 A:middle We need you in the Jaime Escalante Program. 00:33:39.436 --> 00:33:41.116 A:middle So they kept on telling me like, we need you for all 00:33:41.116 --> 00:33:42.156 A:middle of these different things. 00:33:43.016 --> 00:33:43.366 A:middle >> Right. 00:33:44.296 --> 00:33:49.796 A:middle >> So by the time I transfer-- by the time I could apply again 00:33:49.856 --> 00:33:54.566 A:middle for the fall semester to Cal State Long Beach, I go there 00:33:54.956 --> 00:33:58.886 A:middle and I-- even though that I end up with a master's 00:33:58.946 --> 00:34:03.336 A:middle in applied math, but all my electives are in statistics. 00:34:03.716 --> 00:34:03.926 A:middle >> OK. 00:34:04.466 --> 00:34:06.926 A:middle >> So I wanted to have like a combination of everything, 00:34:06.926 --> 00:34:08.926 A:middle because I really liked the math part of it. 00:34:09.016 --> 00:34:09.106 A:middle >> Right. 00:34:09.506 --> 00:34:12.656 A:middle >> I'm always the person of why is this true? 00:34:12.806 --> 00:34:15.076 A:middle What-- Where does this formula come from? 00:34:15.076 --> 00:34:16.556 A:middle [Laughter]. 00:34:16.556 --> 00:34:19.236 A:middle >> And I think what people don't really understand is the 00:34:19.236 --> 00:34:21.396 A:middle advantage of being a big fish in a small school. 00:34:22.306 --> 00:34:24.276 A:middle So when I went-- I went to UCLA. 00:34:24.936 --> 00:34:27.216 A:middle And, you know, you just get swallowed 00:34:27.216 --> 00:34:28.936 A:middle up because it's 10,000 freshmen. 00:34:29.476 --> 00:34:29.666 A:middle >> Yup. 00:34:30.336 --> 00:34:31.296 A:middle >> Right, it's 10,000. 00:34:31.816 --> 00:34:34.136 A:middle And it's hard to stand out. 00:34:34.816 --> 00:34:37.496 A:middle But, you know, when you go to a community college 00:34:37.496 --> 00:34:40.336 A:middle and you're great, or you go to Cal State and you're great, 00:34:40.836 --> 00:34:41.716 A:middle they know who you are. 00:34:41.876 --> 00:34:42.026 A:middle >> Yes. 00:34:42.096 --> 00:34:45.246 A:middle >> So if we go look at Cal State LA, 00:34:45.246 --> 00:34:47.696 A:middle a bunch of the teachers aren't just former students. 00:34:47.876 --> 00:34:48.096 A:middle >> Right. 00:34:48.316 --> 00:34:50.126 A:middle >> Same thing with our math department, I was-- 00:34:50.126 --> 00:34:52.796 A:middle Professor Padgett, former student. 00:34:53.296 --> 00:34:56.236 A:middle So there's something to be said about being graded 00:34:56.236 --> 00:34:58.866 A:middle at a community college because it's just a resource 00:34:58.926 --> 00:35:02.076 A:middle that you know, no one at UCLA no matter how good my grades were, 00:35:02.076 --> 00:35:04.876 A:middle they're going to ask me to come by and we got a job for you, 00:35:04.926 --> 00:35:08.776 A:middle you know, for four months while you're waiting for you 00:35:09.206 --> 00:35:10.346 A:middle to reenroll too in this school. 00:35:10.346 --> 00:35:10.526 A:middle >> Yes. 00:35:11.016 --> 00:35:12.916 A:middle >> So at this point, how do your parents feel? 00:35:13.676 --> 00:35:15.716 A:middle >> Oh, at this point, now they're very happy. 00:35:15.886 --> 00:35:16.816 A:middle >> OK [laughter]. 00:35:16.816 --> 00:35:17.496 A:middle >> Now they're proud. 00:35:17.896 --> 00:35:22.106 A:middle >> Yes. Now, I'm finishing my bachelor's 00:35:22.266 --> 00:35:24.516 A:middle and then I'm telling them, well, I'm going get married. 00:35:24.516 --> 00:35:26.836 A:middle And then they're like, no, you have to go for your PhD. 00:35:26.836 --> 00:35:29.226 A:middle And I'm like, no, not a PhD [laughter]. 00:35:29.876 --> 00:35:32.646 A:middle Now, you want me to study, right? 00:35:32.776 --> 00:35:37.516 A:middle Now that you see how great I am, now you want me to go to school. 00:35:37.896 --> 00:35:44.356 A:middle So, I mean, I finished-- I go to Cal State Long Beach. 00:35:44.596 --> 00:35:50.416 A:middle I complete my master's program in applied mathematics 00:35:50.476 --> 00:35:52.866 A:middle with a lot of electives in statistics. 00:35:53.766 --> 00:35:56.286 A:middle And even though-- I mean, at some point, 00:35:56.286 --> 00:35:57.656 A:middle I would take years off. 00:35:57.686 --> 00:35:59.986 A:middle So I took-- I remember I took a year off 00:36:00.086 --> 00:36:02.186 A:middle because I got a good job. 00:36:02.186 --> 00:36:04.086 A:middle Like my dad say, you're getting paid a lot of money. 00:36:04.086 --> 00:36:06.456 A:middle I was getting paid like $21 an hour. 00:36:06.456 --> 00:36:07.886 A:middle And I'm like, sure, this is good, 00:36:07.886 --> 00:36:11.206 A:middle the requirement is a bachelor's degree, sure. 00:36:12.136 --> 00:36:14.756 A:middle So, I got hired during recession time. 00:36:15.726 --> 00:36:18.926 A:middle And it was a job for people. 00:36:20.466 --> 00:36:27.786 A:middle It was some kind of those worksource centers where a lot 00:36:27.786 --> 00:36:30.256 A:middle of people-- My responsibility was 00:36:30.356 --> 00:36:34.556 A:middle to train high school student level to go into the work field. 00:36:34.556 --> 00:36:37.436 A:middle So I had to train them on how to write a resume, 00:36:37.436 --> 00:36:40.766 A:middle how to interview, how to dress and all these little details. 00:36:41.826 --> 00:36:47.976 A:middle Eventually, there was a big wave of laid off workers 00:36:48.366 --> 00:36:51.396 A:middle because it was recession time. 00:36:51.906 --> 00:36:56.186 A:middle And one of the most difficult assignments I had was-- 00:36:56.646 --> 00:36:58.716 A:middle that they told me, oh, you have to go to that company 00:36:58.716 --> 00:37:00.106 A:middle and translate for some people. 00:37:00.196 --> 00:37:02.916 A:middle I was like, sure, I could do that. 00:37:03.006 --> 00:37:06.506 A:middle So, I had to go and translate to some people, oh, 00:37:06.506 --> 00:37:08.496 A:middle thank you for your 25 years of work 00:37:08.496 --> 00:37:10.346 A:middle with our company, we're closing. 00:37:10.346 --> 00:37:11.106 A:middle >> Oh my gosh. 00:37:11.626 --> 00:37:13.906 A:middle >> And when I was translating this, 00:37:13.986 --> 00:37:16.166 A:middle I literally was breaking down in tears. 00:37:16.166 --> 00:37:17.596 A:middle >> Yeah, right. 00:37:17.746 --> 00:37:20.006 A:middle >> And, I mean, I've seen these older men 00:37:20.396 --> 00:37:23.996 A:middle that I would think what are they going to do after this? 00:37:24.536 --> 00:37:26.466 A:middle What are their skills now 00:37:26.466 --> 00:37:29.036 A:middle if they've been doing just one single thing? 00:37:29.946 --> 00:37:31.846 A:middle I stay there. 00:37:33.446 --> 00:37:38.396 A:middle My job was to help all these laid off people build their 00:37:38.396 --> 00:37:44.866 A:middle resume, interview skills, dress to impress and all of this. 00:37:44.866 --> 00:37:49.386 A:middle And eventually I said, I cannot continue working for an office 00:37:50.096 --> 00:37:52.446 A:middle and I have to go back to finish my master's. 00:37:52.506 --> 00:37:54.776 A:middle So I had a year left on my master's 00:37:55.676 --> 00:37:59.846 A:middle and I finished my master's successfully. 00:37:59.846 --> 00:38:00.736 A:middle I was so happy. 00:38:01.376 --> 00:38:05.896 A:middle And then it comes the Soccer World Cup in Brazil. 00:38:05.956 --> 00:38:10.756 A:middle So my husband and I, we'll run to the World Cup to have the fun 00:38:11.136 --> 00:38:13.846 A:middle of our life because it's in Brazil, 00:38:13.896 --> 00:38:16.496 A:middle so what better place you want soccer, 00:38:16.496 --> 00:38:18.236 A:middle Brazil, everything together. 00:38:19.706 --> 00:38:23.536 A:middle And, I mean, even though it's just like people will say, OK, 00:38:23.676 --> 00:38:27.356 A:middle soccer, Brazil and everything, that was one 00:38:27.356 --> 00:38:29.216 A:middle of my dreams I ever had as a child. 00:38:29.286 --> 00:38:29.456 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:38:29.786 --> 00:38:33.506 A:middle >> I love soccer and I really enjoy the World Cup so much. 00:38:34.056 --> 00:38:37.236 A:middle So by that time, we actually save our money 00:38:37.666 --> 00:38:38.896 A:middle to make it to the World Cup. 00:38:38.896 --> 00:38:41.066 A:middle It was like a big, big thing for both of us. 00:38:41.066 --> 00:38:41.216 A:middle >> Sure. 00:38:42.036 --> 00:38:47.566 A:middle >> And the point, so I finished my master's, we go to the-- 00:38:47.776 --> 00:38:52.176 A:middle to Brazil and then we come back and it's time for me 00:38:52.286 --> 00:38:57.146 A:middle to face the real world and start applying for jobs. 00:38:57.986 --> 00:39:02.796 A:middle And I knew it was a little late because it was already like July 00:39:03.236 --> 00:39:06.436 A:middle and fall is going to start soon and we adjunct, 00:39:06.436 --> 00:39:07.506 A:middle so we see what's left. 00:39:08.226 --> 00:39:11.946 A:middle >> Right. Had you taught at this point yet in the colleges or-- 00:39:11.946 --> 00:39:12.013 A:middle >> No. 00:39:12.013 --> 00:39:13.716 A:middle >> So you graduated, went to Brazil, came back 00:39:13.716 --> 00:39:14.956 A:middle and this would be your first opportunity-- 00:39:14.956 --> 00:39:15.086 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:39:15.086 --> 00:39:16.256 A:middle >> -- to look for a teaching job. 00:39:16.256 --> 00:39:16.323 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:39:16.323 --> 00:39:16.516 A:middle >> OK. 00:39:16.516 --> 00:39:17.536 A:middle >> Look for my teaching job. 00:39:18.216 --> 00:39:22.866 A:middle So I come back and I look for-- well, I had to rest, 00:39:23.376 --> 00:39:26.796 A:middle sleep for a whole week, because it was overwhelming over there. 00:39:27.566 --> 00:39:31.166 A:middle But then I come back still and I start applying 00:39:31.286 --> 00:39:34.916 A:middle for every single place that it was open. 00:39:35.836 --> 00:39:41.476 A:middle And I got an interview-- several interviews in one week. 00:39:42.026 --> 00:39:47.976 A:middle And so Glendale interview me, Santa Monica, and Citrus. 00:39:48.346 --> 00:39:52.326 A:middle So everything, it was like, back to back to back, 00:39:52.326 --> 00:39:53.816 A:middle like one day after the other. 00:39:54.696 --> 00:39:57.236 A:middle When I go to my job interview in Citrus, 00:39:57.566 --> 00:40:00.276 A:middle right away on the spot they tell me, can you teach statistics? 00:40:01.116 --> 00:40:01.766 A:middle And I say, yes. 00:40:02.666 --> 00:40:04.146 A:middle They say, well, you have a job [laughter]. 00:40:04.606 --> 00:40:09.246 A:middle And I come out just screaming, you could imagine. 00:40:09.686 --> 00:40:12.056 A:middle They say, yes, I have a job. 00:40:12.176 --> 00:40:13.286 A:middle It doesn't matter. 00:40:13.426 --> 00:40:15.506 A:middle I just have one class. 00:40:15.506 --> 00:40:18.536 A:middle And then the-- I already had an interview with Santa Monica 00:40:18.956 --> 00:40:22.236 A:middle and Glendale, at the following date both 00:40:22.236 --> 00:40:24.266 A:middle of those places also offer me a class. 00:40:24.426 --> 00:40:26.086 A:middle >> Wow. Was that statistics as well? 00:40:26.416 --> 00:40:28.926 A:middle >> No, they just gave me a basic math. 00:40:29.236 --> 00:40:29.436 A:middle >> OK. 00:40:29.746 --> 00:40:32.576 A:middle >> So, how many years did you teach part time before you 00:40:32.576 --> 00:40:33.806 A:middle became a tenure track? 00:40:33.806 --> 00:40:33.873 A:middle >> Two. 00:40:34.046 --> 00:40:34.616 A:middle >> Oh, great. 00:40:34.616 --> 00:40:34.936 A:middle >> Two years. 00:40:35.906 --> 00:40:36.056 A:middle Yes. 00:40:36.966 --> 00:40:39.446 A:middle >> And then what message would you have 00:40:39.446 --> 00:40:40.686 A:middle for students entering your class? 00:40:41.306 --> 00:40:42.686 A:middle Like what advice would you give to them? 00:40:42.686 --> 00:40:45.406 A:middle If you're going to take me, this is how I am. 00:40:45.406 --> 00:40:46.306 A:middle This is how I teach. 00:40:46.306 --> 00:40:48.666 A:middle These are my expectations either students who like me. 00:40:49.726 --> 00:40:52.216 A:middle >> OK. So, I never realized 00:40:52.436 --> 00:40:55.266 A:middle until many students eventually throughout the time told me 00:40:55.606 --> 00:40:59.426 A:middle that the-- one thing they like my class because I smile a lot. 00:40:59.496 --> 00:41:01.846 A:middle I never noticed that until they told me. 00:41:02.626 --> 00:41:05.876 A:middle I try to be very approachable. 00:41:05.876 --> 00:41:08.226 A:middle I let my students ask me questions 00:41:08.226 --> 00:41:09.546 A:middle at any point during lecture. 00:41:11.596 --> 00:41:15.516 A:middle But I expect very hard work. 00:41:15.906 --> 00:41:19.056 A:middle And I feel that the reason that I expect very hard work is 00:41:19.056 --> 00:41:22.776 A:middle because I was very hard worker as a student. 00:41:22.876 --> 00:41:23.056 A:middle >> Right. 00:41:23.526 --> 00:41:28.046 A:middle >> So I feel that if I work this hard to get through school, 00:41:28.996 --> 00:41:30.026 A:middle I expect the same thing. 00:41:30.226 --> 00:41:30.926 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:41:30.926 --> 00:41:33.356 A:middle I wonder if it's sort of tied into that is this idea of it's-- 00:41:33.706 --> 00:41:35.526 A:middle especially with math or other subjects, 00:41:35.526 --> 00:41:38.626 A:middle it's not that a student can't do it, but to what extent 00:41:38.626 --> 00:41:39.596 A:middle and how hard are they working 00:41:39.596 --> 00:41:41.016 A:middle and what's the process behind that work? 00:41:41.226 --> 00:41:41.966 A:middle >> Yes, yes. 00:41:41.966 --> 00:41:45.016 A:middle And like I told you before, I was not an A student. 00:41:45.016 --> 00:41:46.686 A:middle I was B student. 00:41:46.936 --> 00:41:49.876 A:middle I will say that that's my average, so B student. 00:41:50.076 --> 00:41:52.556 A:middle And usually sometimes they considered 00:41:52.556 --> 00:41:54.566 A:middle that B students are the ones that work very hard. 00:41:54.566 --> 00:41:58.356 A:middle It isn't like just A and you're super smart. 00:41:59.116 --> 00:42:03.446 A:middle And I feel that that's-- even my husband, 00:42:03.446 --> 00:42:06.826 A:middle he's a mechanical engineer now, and we both grew together 00:42:06.826 --> 00:42:10.326 A:middle into this path of science, how difficult it was. 00:42:11.036 --> 00:42:15.436 A:middle And we both have the same idea of, you don't need to be smart, 00:42:15.856 --> 00:42:16.976 A:middle you have to work hard. 00:42:17.306 --> 00:42:18.436 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:42:18.436 --> 00:42:22.806 A:middle >> Yeah. So we don't have to be the book smart or anything 00:42:22.806 --> 00:42:26.666 A:middle like that, you just have to really not go party, 00:42:27.306 --> 00:42:29.156 A:middle not go to the birthday party, 00:42:29.456 --> 00:42:32.356 A:middle and we have to learn to give up things. 00:42:32.616 --> 00:42:32.886 A:middle >> Right. 00:42:33.526 --> 00:42:36.056 A:middle >> And then eventually, you'll go over yourself to party. 00:42:36.056 --> 00:42:38.126 A:middle >> And so that's the short-term sacrifice for the-- 00:42:38.126 --> 00:42:38.306 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:42:38.306 --> 00:42:41.326 A:middle >> -- long-term payoff and then save that celebration for later. 00:42:41.326 --> 00:42:42.596 A:middle >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:42:42.976 --> 00:42:43.266 A:middle >> Got you. 00:42:43.546 --> 00:42:47.236 A:middle >> So what advice do you have to other sort of people who want 00:42:47.236 --> 00:42:48.486 A:middle to become a tenure track professor? 00:42:48.946 --> 00:42:51.066 A:middle Why do you think-- Why do you think we hired you? 00:42:51.336 --> 00:42:53.076 A:middle Like, what do you think it is 00:42:53.126 --> 00:42:57.146 A:middle that makes you an attractive professor for us? 00:42:57.836 --> 00:43:01.266 A:middle >> A feedback I've had heard-- well, not feedback, 00:43:01.416 --> 00:43:07.106 A:middle comments I have heard, they say, I got hired because I'm Mexican. 00:43:07.516 --> 00:43:10.686 A:middle OK. So I don't have to hear that, 00:43:10.886 --> 00:43:13.916 A:middle because like I have told you before, I have worked very hard. 00:43:14.116 --> 00:43:14.436 A:middle >> Right. 00:43:14.436 --> 00:43:19.336 A:middle >> I have worked very hard to be who I am, where I am. 00:43:20.536 --> 00:43:24.006 A:middle And I believe that when I came to my job interview, 00:43:24.006 --> 00:43:26.236 A:middle like I'm telling you, I went to my-- 00:43:26.236 --> 00:43:28.606 A:middle when I came back from Brazil, even as an adjunct, 00:43:29.516 --> 00:43:31.126 A:middle I will go to the job interview, 00:43:31.126 --> 00:43:33.696 A:middle and I got every single job, every single job. 00:43:34.116 --> 00:43:36.746 A:middle So now that I apply for the full-time, 00:43:36.746 --> 00:43:39.196 A:middle I don't think it was just because my ethnicity. 00:43:39.446 --> 00:43:39.596 A:middle >> Right. 00:43:39.796 --> 00:43:44.586 A:middle >> I really feel that I have a passion for it. 00:43:44.736 --> 00:43:46.536 A:middle I have a passion for teaching. 00:43:46.576 --> 00:43:49.456 A:middle So anyone who wants to be out that wants to become a teacher, 00:43:49.946 --> 00:43:51.636 A:middle I always say I just share 00:43:51.916 --> 00:43:53.396 A:middle because I don't think it's that easy. 00:43:53.826 --> 00:43:57.826 A:middle I think that you really have to have some ability to communicate 00:43:57.826 --> 00:43:59.996 A:middle with the students to really send a message 00:43:59.996 --> 00:44:01.636 A:middle across of whatever you're teaching. 00:44:02.696 --> 00:44:06.736 A:middle So when I came to my full-time job interview, 00:44:07.806 --> 00:44:09.406 A:middle I really show myself. 00:44:09.606 --> 00:44:15.416 A:middle I really-- even though you're so nervous behind the desk, 00:44:16.336 --> 00:44:19.166 A:middle you really have to really work for-- try your best. 00:44:19.166 --> 00:44:23.226 A:middle So I tried just to be teaching the way I would teach 00:44:23.226 --> 00:44:26.516 A:middle in a regular class, pretending that it was my class instead 00:44:26.516 --> 00:44:29.636 A:middle of pretending it was a panel of committee hiring me. 00:44:29.856 --> 00:44:31.776 A:middle >> So basically being good in the class. 00:44:31.776 --> 00:44:32.616 A:middle >> Being good in the class. 00:44:32.616 --> 00:44:34.586 A:middle >> Being good in the class makes you good 00:44:34.586 --> 00:44:35.566 A:middle in front of other people. 00:44:35.876 --> 00:44:37.126 A:middle >> Yes, yeah, yeah. 00:44:37.386 --> 00:44:39.896 A:middle >> And as a person who's been in many hiring committees, 00:44:39.896 --> 00:44:43.816 A:middle I wasn't in yours, but I was in a bunch of them around them. 00:44:43.846 --> 00:44:48.246 A:middle At the same time, we can't take ethnicity as a criterion. 00:44:48.306 --> 00:44:50.136 A:middle >> I want to believe so. 00:44:50.446 --> 00:44:51.776 A:middle >> We're not allowed to, it's illegal. 00:44:51.776 --> 00:44:54.386 A:middle We actually have someone who watches to make sure 00:44:54.386 --> 00:44:57.426 A:middle that our conversation never says that. 00:44:57.686 --> 00:45:00.356 A:middle Now, I was not in your hiring committee, 00:45:00.356 --> 00:45:01.736 A:middle but I can tell you that's a guarantee. 00:45:01.926 --> 00:45:03.736 A:middle But I will tell you that when you were hired, 00:45:03.736 --> 00:45:06.096 A:middle and then you are Spanish speaking-- 00:45:06.646 --> 00:45:08.616 A:middle native Spanish speaking Hispanic student, 00:45:08.886 --> 00:45:12.296 A:middle I thought that that experience was going 00:45:12.296 --> 00:45:13.796 A:middle to be a great asset to our school. 00:45:14.696 --> 00:45:17.436 A:middle Because, how do you attract people to STEM, right? 00:45:17.436 --> 00:45:19.926 A:middle We have this big STEM program where we're trying 00:45:19.926 --> 00:45:23.236 A:middle to attract minorities to it, where every person who comes 00:45:23.236 --> 00:45:26.396 A:middle up to talk about it is Asian or Russian or Armenian. 00:45:27.186 --> 00:45:31.516 A:middle And so, I think you being Hispanic is a huge asset. 00:45:31.636 --> 00:45:32.936 A:middle Your story is a huge asset. 00:45:33.426 --> 00:45:36.106 A:middle It's a story that we don't have at the school 00:45:36.106 --> 00:45:39.326 A:middle in the math department, but it's not why we would hire you. 00:45:39.506 --> 00:45:42.376 A:middle We hire you because of your skill and then that part happens 00:45:42.376 --> 00:45:43.676 A:middle to also match what we need. 00:45:44.286 --> 00:45:46.556 A:middle >> Yes. And just to add that, 00:45:46.766 --> 00:45:48.446 A:middle something that I've been working along 00:45:48.446 --> 00:45:50.826 A:middle with Luz Chen [assumed spelling] is that we've been promoting 00:45:50.826 --> 00:45:54.926 A:middle or we've been-- we're working on panels for the-- for STEM. 00:45:55.006 --> 00:45:55.236 A:middle >> Sure. 00:45:55.416 --> 00:45:55.656 A:middle >> All right. 00:45:55.656 --> 00:45:59.656 A:middle >> And last semester, we were successfully 00:45:59.686 --> 00:46:01.016 A:middle to bring the engineering panel. 00:46:01.896 --> 00:46:05.306 A:middle And I will say I was the one in charge of it-- 00:46:05.306 --> 00:46:05.966 A:middle >> I bet. 00:46:05.966 --> 00:46:06.696 A:middle >> -- to bring the speakers. 00:46:07.146 --> 00:46:07.316 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:46:07.476 --> 00:46:09.476 A:middle >> And I brought my friends for me, like the ones 00:46:09.476 --> 00:46:10.426 A:middle that are engineers now. 00:46:10.426 --> 00:46:11.746 A:middle >> Right, right. 00:46:12.066 --> 00:46:13.556 A:middle >> Even my husband. 00:46:13.766 --> 00:46:14.016 A:middle >> Right. 00:46:14.196 --> 00:46:16.996 A:middle >> And they share their struggle, just like mine, 00:46:17.116 --> 00:46:19.416 A:middle how many times, you know, they have to repeat a class. 00:46:19.756 --> 00:46:22.006 A:middle They actually point out that I was a tutor 00:46:22.006 --> 00:46:24.236 A:middle when we were at ELAC. 00:46:24.236 --> 00:46:29.666 A:middle And last week, we had a panel for women in STEM. 00:46:29.666 --> 00:46:29.746 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:46:30.436 --> 00:46:33.536 A:middle >> And I brought two of my other friends, also engineers now. 00:46:33.536 --> 00:46:35.946 A:middle >> And do you think this work you're doing, 00:46:35.946 --> 00:46:37.326 A:middle this is really important. 00:46:37.696 --> 00:46:37.816 A:middle >> Yup. 00:46:37.816 --> 00:46:40.416 A:middle >> Because we can just sort of see that you have this counselor 00:46:40.416 --> 00:46:43.266 A:middle who looked at you and didn't think you look 00:46:43.266 --> 00:46:45.296 A:middle like a person who has insights. 00:46:45.516 --> 00:46:45.666 A:middle >> Yes. 00:46:46.226 --> 00:46:46.386 A:middle >> Right? 00:46:46.386 --> 00:46:46.896 A:middle >> Mm-hmm. 00:46:47.086 --> 00:46:48.136 A:middle >> Because really, what do they know? 00:46:48.436 --> 00:46:51.826 A:middle They looked at you, they made an-- they had this expectation 00:46:51.826 --> 00:46:52.776 A:middle and then they went with it. 00:46:53.116 --> 00:46:55.326 A:middle And we have level with same expectations, right? 00:46:55.326 --> 00:46:58.096 A:middle And just being able to see someone who's a minority, 00:46:58.096 --> 00:47:01.076 A:middle seeing someone who's a woman articulately speak 00:47:01.076 --> 00:47:04.096 A:middle that this is something I love to do is really powerful. 00:47:05.096 --> 00:47:07.026 A:middle And I think these things that you're working 00:47:07.026 --> 00:47:10.686 A:middle on have been a really great part of the math department. 00:47:11.016 --> 00:47:12.766 A:middle That is something we couldn't do before you were here. 00:47:13.306 --> 00:47:13.686 A:middle >> Oh, good. 00:47:13.686 --> 00:47:17.006 A:middle >> I think something as sort of that circle, you know, 00:47:17.006 --> 00:47:18.626 A:middle draws a little bit wider and you start to talk 00:47:18.626 --> 00:47:21.506 A:middle about the STEM program in El Paso Grant with Luz Chen. 00:47:21.836 --> 00:47:24.156 A:middle That's an opportunity too for more students to sort 00:47:24.156 --> 00:47:25.786 A:middle of understand the possibilities 00:47:25.786 --> 00:47:27.236 A:middle that the STEM pathway will provide. 00:47:27.536 --> 00:47:28.326 A:middle And I'm sure that's something. 00:47:28.326 --> 00:47:31.116 A:middle And one of our future podcasts here will be able to dig 00:47:31.116 --> 00:47:34.836 A:middle into that El Paso Grant in a little more detail. 00:47:34.836 --> 00:47:36.866 A:middle As we sort of come to the perhaps the end of our interview 00:47:36.866 --> 00:47:38.516 A:middle with you, at least maybe part one, because I feel 00:47:38.516 --> 00:47:41.256 A:middle like there's a lot more to talk about with you, Ana. 00:47:41.346 --> 00:47:45.486 A:middle A question maybe here, as you described your journey, what-- 00:47:45.716 --> 00:47:47.756 A:middle you've, I think, I already shared a lot of strategies, 00:47:47.756 --> 00:47:50.086 A:middle but if we had to sort of boil this down into one, 00:47:50.416 --> 00:47:52.506 A:middle what's the one thing you would like to share with students 00:47:52.966 --> 00:47:54.486 A:middle at any level as they move forward 00:47:54.486 --> 00:47:55.446 A:middle with their academic life? 00:47:55.896 --> 00:47:59.106 A:middle >> I think as they move 00:47:59.106 --> 00:48:03.466 A:middle into their academic life is they have to work hard. 00:48:04.316 --> 00:48:09.126 A:middle I think that-- like we always hear hard work pays off. 00:48:09.996 --> 00:48:11.216 A:middle Indeed, it is true. 00:48:11.566 --> 00:48:12.096 A:middle It is true. 00:48:12.096 --> 00:48:14.396 A:middle I-- Like I didn't see it, 00:48:14.456 --> 00:48:17.866 A:middle even when I was the student, I didn't see it. 00:48:18.686 --> 00:48:20.956 A:middle I saw that my classes were difficult. 00:48:21.306 --> 00:48:23.056 A:middle Even when I was in my master's program, 00:48:23.096 --> 00:48:26.356 A:middle I kept on asking myself, why am I doing this? 00:48:26.626 --> 00:48:28.296 A:middle And I stayed there. 00:48:28.856 --> 00:48:32.566 A:middle So it is difficult, work hard, and don't give up. 00:48:32.726 --> 00:48:32.906 A:middle >> Right. 00:48:33.516 --> 00:48:38.286 A:middle >> Because now when I see everything I have, 00:48:38.286 --> 00:48:41.476 A:middle like for instance, now I own two homes, which is impressive. 00:48:42.146 --> 00:48:42.706 A:middle >> Right. 00:48:42.976 --> 00:48:45.026 A:middle >> And I remember being a student 00:48:45.336 --> 00:48:48.316 A:middle and honestly being sometimes a negative budget, 00:48:48.466 --> 00:48:51.286 A:middle because I would find my credit card without realizing 00:48:51.286 --> 00:48:52.296 A:middle that I was already at zero. 00:48:52.346 --> 00:48:52.436 A:middle >> Right. 00:48:53.076 --> 00:48:57.716 A:middle >> So I was at zero dollars at some point, negatives, you know, 00:48:57.766 --> 00:49:01.016 A:middle and now that I realized everything I have accomplished 00:49:01.196 --> 00:49:04.206 A:middle is really a dream. 00:49:04.206 --> 00:49:04.376 A:middle >> Right. 00:49:04.376 --> 00:49:07.276 A:middle >> And it is impressing and shocking. 00:49:07.276 --> 00:49:10.376 A:middle And I do look back at those days, the dark days. 00:49:11.516 --> 00:49:14.766 A:middle So I feel like the dark times where I really struggled 00:49:14.766 --> 00:49:18.566 A:middle through my classes and but I had to work very hard for that-- 00:49:18.596 --> 00:49:20.586 A:middle for it and not give up. 00:49:21.356 --> 00:49:23.556 A:middle Now, it takes me where I am. 00:49:23.886 --> 00:49:24.956 A:middle >> Right. Wow. 00:49:24.956 --> 00:49:28.126 A:middle Well, thank you so, so much for coming in today and-- 00:49:28.126 --> 00:49:28.306 A:middle >> Thank you. 00:49:28.386 --> 00:49:30.066 A:middle >> -- for sitting down and sharing with us. 00:49:30.066 --> 00:49:32.896 A:middle Really, a truly incredible and inspiring journey 00:49:32.896 --> 00:49:36.246 A:middle from where you started to where you are at now. 00:49:36.316 --> 00:49:39.396 A:middle For students at Valley College, if they want to connect 00:49:39.396 --> 00:49:40.316 A:middle with you, can they find you 00:49:40.316 --> 00:49:42.666 A:middle in the mathematics department on campus? 00:49:43.076 --> 00:49:43.336 A:middle >> Yes. 00:49:43.716 --> 00:49:44.126 A:middle >> All right. 00:49:44.336 --> 00:49:46.556 A:middle >> I'm in the MS 104. 00:49:46.976 --> 00:49:47.356 A:middle >> OK. 00:49:47.846 --> 00:49:50.796 A:middle >> I have a lot of meetings 00:49:50.886 --> 00:49:55.346 A:middle because Luz Chen has me working on stuff [laughter]. 00:49:55.496 --> 00:49:57.946 A:middle But, yeah, definitely, hopefully 00:49:57.946 --> 00:50:00.976 A:middle in the next few weeks I will be definitely available. 00:50:01.146 --> 00:50:04.006 A:middle And India is we're working in a mentoring program 00:50:04.006 --> 00:50:06.986 A:middle and where we're trying to reach out to those students 00:50:07.566 --> 00:50:10.016 A:middle to tell them it is possible to stay in STEM. 00:50:10.216 --> 00:50:12.496 A:middle Even though it's difficult, it is possible. 00:50:13.066 --> 00:50:13.376 A:middle >> Great. 00:50:13.726 --> 00:50:15.066 A:middle >> So, thank you. 00:50:15.246 --> 00:50:16.016 A:middle Thank you for having me. 00:50:16.526 --> 00:50:17.456 A:middle >> And thank you very much. 00:50:17.456 --> 00:50:22.276 A:middle You know, it's hard to know, you know, who's sitting next to you 00:50:22.306 --> 00:50:23.806 A:middle in the office next to you. 00:50:24.466 --> 00:50:26.466 A:middle But, you know, at the end of the day, what I found out is 00:50:26.466 --> 00:50:28.226 A:middle that there are very few kids that grew 00:50:28.226 --> 00:50:30.356 A:middle up saying someday I want to be a community college teacher. 00:50:31.166 --> 00:50:33.946 A:middle And most of us got here through a side channel. 00:50:34.346 --> 00:50:37.686 A:middle But something happened where we found out that this was a place 00:50:37.686 --> 00:50:40.576 A:middle for us to be, but it wasn't part of the first plan that we had. 00:50:40.726 --> 00:50:40.886 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:50:41.116 --> 00:50:43.586 A:middle >> Right? And it was a real honor to just hear your story. 00:50:43.586 --> 00:50:44.006 A:middle Thank you. 00:50:44.166 --> 00:50:44.446 A:middle >> Thank you. 00:50:44.576 --> 00:50:44.946 A:middle >> [Background Music] Thanks, Ana. 00:50:45.516 --> 00:50:50.706 A:middle [ Music ] 00:50:51.206 --> 00:50:54.576 A:middle >> The Valley College Connection Podcast is dedicated 00:50:54.576 --> 00:50:56.756 A:middle to sharing the dynamics of our community 00:50:56.816 --> 00:51:00.216 A:middle and supporting the fascinating lives of students, faculty 00:51:00.446 --> 00:51:03.296 A:middle and those in pursuit of college life information. 00:51:03.386 --> 00:51:06.486 A:middle The Valley College Connection Podcast is produced by KVCM 00:51:06.556 --> 00:51:10.426 A:middle and supported by the LAVC Academic Resource Center. 00:51:10.476 --> 00:51:13.116 A:middle The content heard on this podcast does not reflect the 00:51:13.216 --> 00:51:16.816 A:middle faculty, staff and students of Los Angeles Valley College. 00:51:17.516 --> 00:51:20.030 A:middle [ Music ]