In Their Words: Omar Jeronimo
Name: Omar Jeronimo ![]()
Department: Education
What Scholarship or Award did you receive? I received the Richard and Cindy Morley Award.
What year are you (1st year, 3rd year)? I am a graduate student in UCSC’s MA/teaching credential program.
College: I was with College 8 (Rachel Carson) during my undergrad.
Where do you call home? The city of Santa Cruz has been my home for the past 14 years.
What is your field of focus? I am currently a full time student teacher learning to be an effective educator.
With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?
Prior to my entrance into the program I got to speak with teachers that had graduated from UCSC’s MA/teaching credential program. Every detail they shared with me about UCSC’s focus on critical and social justice oriented pedagogy inspired me. I had previously completed my undergraduate education at UCSC. I loved being a part of the university’s community.
What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?
I hope to begin working as a teacher immediately after I graduate. I did not discover my passion for teaching until recently, but now that I have I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. In my teaching experience I’ve experienced some of the toughest moments of my life. However, no matter how bad things got, I always wanted to be in the classroom the next day to continue trying.
What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here?
I can’t say there is one single memorable moment. I have met the most wonderful human beings at UC Santa Cruz, particularly in the Master’s program. I have had the chance to befriend individuals that have been inspirations to me. I have never been a member of a more supportive group of peers in my entire academic career.
How will this scholarship/award impact your academic life/research?
I am very grateful to be presented with this scholarship. I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety over how to pay for the rest of my studies. I will use this scholarship award to help pay for the next few courses, assessments, and general academic expenses/fees that I am responsible for in order to graduate with my teaching credential. I can’t wait to get out there and start making a difference with everything that I’ve learned in my academic life here at UC Santa Cruz.
Department: Education
What Scholarship or Award did you receive? I received the Richard and Cindy Morley Award.
What year are you (1st year, 3rd year)? I am a graduate student in UCSC’s MA/teaching credential program.
College: I was with College 8 (Rachel Carson) during my undergrad.
Where do you call home? The city of Santa Cruz has been my home for the past 14 years.
What is your field of focus? I am currently a full time student teacher learning to be an effective educator.
With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?
Prior to my entrance into the program I got to speak with teachers that had graduated from UCSC’s MA/teaching credential program. Every detail they shared with me about UCSC’s focus on critical and social justice oriented pedagogy inspired me. I had previously completed my undergraduate education at UCSC. I loved being a part of the university’s community.
What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?
I hope to begin working as a teacher immediately after I graduate. I did not discover my passion for teaching until recently, but now that I have I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. In my teaching experience I’ve experienced some of the toughest moments of my life. However, no matter how bad things got, I always wanted to be in the classroom the next day to continue trying.
What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here?
I can’t say there is one single memorable moment. I have met the most wonderful human beings at UC Santa Cruz, particularly in the Master’s program. I have had the chance to befriend individuals that have been inspirations to me. I have never been a member of a more supportive group of peers in my entire academic career.
How will this scholarship/award impact your academic life/research?
I am very grateful to be presented with this scholarship. I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety over how to pay for the rest of my studies. I will use this scholarship award to help pay for the next few courses, assessments, and general academic expenses/fees that I am responsible for in order to graduate with my teaching credential. I can’t wait to get out there and start making a difference with everything that I’ve learned in my academic life here at UC Santa Cruz.
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