One of the Lucky Ones

By: Nayeli Tirado

In terms of education, I have always considered myself lucky. However, it was not without its struggles. My public elementary school was underfunded and I felt that my love for academics wasn’t being properly cultivated. When filling out paperwork for the school, my mom wrote down that we spoke Spanish at home. For the following two years, I was taken out of math class to attend ESL classes, despite speaking english fluently. As a result, my math grade suffered. Once I informed my mom, we were determined to find a new learning environment for me.

I was fortunate enough to live near a k-12 private school. But more importantly, I was fortunate to have immigrant parents who were willinging to invest into my education—something they were denied themselves. With a scholarship I received, I was able to attend the school and shift the trajectory of my life completely. I was given more one-on-one classroom time, access to determined and committed teachers and was surrounded by peers who were equally as passionate. Looking back, what angers me is the fact that most individuals cannot afford the luxury of a private education. Even in my own highschool, I was one of the few people of color, while the rest of the student body were wealthy and white.

Racial and economic inequality is not new, but, on the contrary, has always plagued California public schools. I’ve always loved learning, and believe everyone should have access to the proper resources to achieve their own educational aspirations. This is why I choose to intern for Evolve: to promote a more equitable system for the future thinkers of the world.