About Me

Welcome bloggers! My name is Joanne Menchaca, a third year student at Cal State San Marcos. I am a Liberal Studies major and have been recently admitted into the Integrated Credential Program at the university. I am currently pursuing a Multiple-subject credential and a future career as an Elementary school teacher. I am the oldest of two and a first generation college student. I lived in Oceanside, CA for 5 years before I moved to Temecula, CA. I have been living in Temecula with my parents and younger brother for over 10 years now and I still love the city! I went to school in Oceanside until the beginning of my 4th grade year. I was in a bilingual program until my 2nd grade year. Second grade will always be a memorable time for me because it was the first year that I was in an all- English classroom. I struggled a lot with the transition and I especially had a hard time comprehending reading and writing in English. I had a wonderful teacher who got me to read above my grade level and her joy for teaching made me want to love it too. I finished my Elementary, middle, and high school in Temecula. Although I love being at school, I have not always the best at school but I try my hardest and I strive to do the most because I know it takes me more time to understand certain things. I can honestly say that since I was younger, I have had a passion for education! I love being at school and learning something new everyday that I am in class. I am always interested in expanding my knowledge of things, whether it is challenging or not.

Personally, technology is really complicated for me. I think technology is awesome and it is amazing to see how much it has evolved over a short amount of time. However, I find it hard to navigate and understand. I am pretty fond of the basics on computers and phones but nothing more than that. I find technology being scary sometimes because of the power that it has, good and bad. I don't like technology because of the social problems that it brings. It causes some people to be distant or isolated from their environment. I am not a fan of the world wide web because of how easy people's lives are shared; especially when you don't know who else is out there looking at it. However, the Internet also brings people together in a tight knit community. Although technology is sometimes scary and I am not good at using it, I find that it is an awesome tool; inside and outside of the classroom. I'm sure I will start enjoying technology more with the tools provided for me in EDUC 422.

Cal State San Marcos' school of Education mission statement is a great statement that everyone can follow. The mission statement's part on social justice, equity, and collaboration speaks to me the most. I think it is important to embrace every one's culture and background. I want my students to be proud of their families' roots and lifestyle. By showing equality and social justice, inside and outside the classroom, people are able to reflect on other languages, cultures, and experiences. Collaboration is also a big reason why I choose the school of education because we will be able to practice collaboration skills with each other, parents, students, and the community. I am looking forward to all the dispositions that the School of Education offers.