Houston, Texas, United States
When I misbehaved at school, my mom would tell me that "we stand on the shoulders of the generations before us." To others, this was a poetic one-liner about the power of community and family support. To a younger me, it was an excerpt from her signature lecture, ranting that my grandparents immigrated to the United States so that we could get a better quality education (not so that I could pass notes or talk during class). To my mom, it was a reminder to both herself and to me, that our present actions may have later consequences for us and our children (so we should act responsibly). I began to understand that family motto and commitment to education more deeply as a I grew up... As a senior in high school, I spent Monday mornings volunteering as a teacher's aide at a Title I school in Dallas. I tutored 3rd graders who scored below grade level on the STAAR test, hoping to increase their achievement scores. By collaborating with teachers and IEP teams to discuss and implement interventions that year, all of my students increased their STAAR performance level the following administration. But, the most impactful thing for me, was watching my students gradually gain confidence in their abilities. At first, being auto-enrolled into my tutoring class felt like a punishment for a low-scoring STAAR test. But after learning about each student as an individual, they began to feel comfortable asking for help, learning from mistakes, and exercising new concepts independently. They blossomed in confidence over the course of a year - both scholastically and personally. Inspired by this impact, I went to UT Austin asking, "How can we better the education system for children with disabilities through policy and classroom pedagogy?". There, I studied political communication, disability history, accessible design, and community organizing. I taught special education students at private, charter, and public schools. I led disabled student unions on college campus. I interviewed educators and activists around Texas about local issues of disability justice. In university, I learned that the scope of the "generations before us" (whose earlier actions impact our present situation) spans beyond our parents and into hundred of years of legislation and historical tradition. Today, I am a juris doctor candidate at the University of Houston Law Center. My coursework focuses on the intersection of juvenile justice, family law, and child welfare. I hope to advocate for the interests and rights of children and families as a litigator in the future.
- Authored a Texas Education Agency (TEA) complaint, Due Process complaint, and Office of Civil Rights complaint to defend juvenile clients’ educational rights - Drafted a request for production, motion for issuance of revised subpoena duces tecum, and comment to Public Information Act disclosure determination request to compel evidence production - Orally represented clients in Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) mediations with opposing counsel
Under the Office of State Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos of House District 102 ... - Synthesize legislative analysis (bill text, amendments, state code, and current law) in eye-catching social media graphics on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok for constituent education initiatives using Canva, Photoshop, and Adobe Suite - Write legislative briefing, constituent analysis, and legal background talking points for use at Texas House deliberations and public-facing events - Manage district events and their planning processes, including guest outreach, record management, and media development
- Improved txfdn.com network to cater to users with varying technology proficiency, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all. - Created eye-catching promotional materials using Canva Pro for Institute on Theology and Disability event, maximizing visibility on Facebook and MailChimp email campaign. - Built Instagram presence from scratch, implementing targeted strategies to engage younger audiences and expand reach of Texas Faith and Disability Network.
- As the primary event manager for all Summer and Fall 2023 initiatives, collaborated with stakeholders, managed logistics, implemented communication plans, and leveraged feedback to promote inclusivity within the university community at events such as the E4Texas Disability in Film series, Disability & Access Accommodation Orientation, the Welcome Week Resource Fair, and Adapted Sports series at Gregory Gym. - Assisted in the establishment and publicity campaign for the Disabled Alumni community group - Updated and established a social media brand for @dcc_ut on Instagram by creating visual graphics with Canva Pro and Adobe Lightroom, scheduled to be posted throughout the year (with a focus on Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month in October) - Supported the development of the DCC website (https://diversity.utexas.edu/disability-cultural-center/) by sourcing relevant community resources, mapping a visually appealing organizational structure, and conducting research on other disability cultural centers to establish effective benchmarks for content and functionality.
- Offer guidance to a pool of 67 college freshman on topics such as financial wellness, time management, and university involvement at weekly meetings and semesterly check-ins - Plan and host several community-building events for the freshman cohort to bond at, such as information panels on communication occupational opportunities - Maintain and post a weekly calendar of at least 21 unique opportunities to get involved with the UT Austin, Austin Community College, and Austin Metropolitan Area communities
- Produce clear and concise written analysis of policies as directed by firm principals, particularly in areas relating to school safety and school choice - Maintain firm principal schedules and relations with external stakeholders via reception desk operation