Hilda Kasravi: 2016-2017 Mary Roosevelt Honor Scholarship in Teaching and Learning

At the 2016-2017 Master of Arts in Teaching Recognition Ceremony, Hilda Kasravi was awarded a Mary Roosevelt Honor Scholarship in Teaching and Learning for excellence in academics, demonstrated leadership skills, and dedication to improving the lives and educational opportunities of students. Hilda is pursuing her MAT with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Below, she shares her thoughts about her educational journey and her chosen career. 

October 2016

I come from a family of five with two younger sisters, one of whom is only nine years old. So, watching her grow up has had a huge impact on my career choice. My family means the world to me. My Persian/American background and culture is something that I value and I'm very grateful for. I am from Huntington Beach, California and for that reason I have always loved the beach. Some of my other interests include playing volleyball, traveling, and eating. Along with teaching, I care a lot about the environment and try my best to live an environmentally conscious and healthy life.   

I attended UCI for my undergraduate studies; therefore, UCI seemed like the easier option. However, as I researched more about the UCI MAT program, I found components of the program that stand out from other education credential programs. For one, this program offers an opportunity for students to receive their masters and credential in an exceptionally short time. Although the year and a half of learning will be impacted, it is one of the best programs in the field with high success rates. The component that stands out to me the most in the UCI MAT program is the hands on experience students get through student teaching. I find it extremely important to apply learned skills to real situations and through student teaching students are able to do so.   

I have always had a passion for education and a dream to become a teacher. However, it was not until college that I decided to truly pursue a career in education. During my time as an undergraduate at University of California, Irvine I double majored in business economics and education. Of the two, education has always had a special place in my heart. The wide range of classes that I took for my education major really opened my eyes to so many important issues raised in the US school systems and sparked my interest to be an agent of change in this system. Education is one of the most powerful tools for success and to be able to provide that to others is very much rewarding. 

Throughout my time as an undergraduate at UCI, I gained much knowledge and experience. For six months, I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain- those were some of the best six months of my life. I acquired much perspective on the world and gained an appreciation for diversity and cultural customs. Before, during my freshman year at UCI, I joined an on campus organization called, Teachers of Tomorrow. Over the past two years, I had been a co-president of Teachers of Tomorrow leading our members to participate in volunteering activities, attend the Road to Teaching Conference, and engage in discussions about the education field. Also, I had been an active member of the Etta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Fraternity since my sophomore year. This organization really pushed me outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to work alongside a diverse groups of girls. Overall, each one of my experiences and involvements at UCI have shaped me in ways to better prepare me for my future

Ultimately, I wish to become an elementary school teacher with my very own classroom. I want be able to not only make an impact on my students but also impact the education system as a whole. There is a lot that could be improved within the education system, and it can be done with hard work and persistence. In addition, I aim to incorporate environmentally sustainable tools or curriculum within my classroom. Then, of course, I hope to travel more and enjoy life every step of the way.