Personal Introduction

My Bag Speech

My bag speech is the most personal aspect in this portfolio.  Although most of it consists of background information on who I am and where I come from, I believe that it highlights significant experiences and influential people who have helped shape who I am today and that drive my future goals.  Without the support of my family, I would not be on the path I’m currently on; they have shown tremendous support and encouragement for my passion in education.  Also, athletics have always been a huge part of my life and I feel as though playing sports and being on teams taught me invaluable lessons in leadership and teamwork that have proven vital to my growth and my success.  Another hobby of mine is traveling.  As much as I love to see the world and experience new cultures, I’m also fascinated by education systems in different countries and how other systems work.  Specifically, I'm interested in the laid back nature of the education system in Finland and the very rigid education system in Japan.  After hearing about how successful the education systems of these countries are, I looked into the approaches these countries take because the two approaches to education are completely different but both countries still manage to rank consistantly high on standardized tests.  The final elements of my bag speech include my experiences in different educational settings, such as working at a day camp and teaching in the South Bronx, which have shaped my passion for education and for children.

Bag Speech

"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth."
Chanakya