Jasmine Diaz: "I would encourage other students to consider being a Peer Assistant because it is an overall great experience."

Jasmine Diaz is a fourth year Education Sciences and Psychology and Social Behavior double major. Jasmine has served as a Peer Assistant for Jeff Johnston in Education 199: Individual Study, for three consecutive quarters. Peer Assistants (PA) are invited by the instructor to return and assist in a course they have completed and in which they demonstrated a high level of academic achievement, personal engagement, and maturity. PA activities can include participating in planning sessions, attending classes, facilitating small group discussions, assisting with record keeping, reviewing assignments, offering individual attention where needed, and supporting the work of the Teaching Assistant and the Instructor. Recently, Jasmine shared her thoughts about her time at UCI and her experiences as a PA.

Jasmine Diaz, April 30, 2018

I grew up in Bell Gardens, California and attended Bell Gardens High School.

When looking into colleges four years ago, my main concerns were the quality of education, and the distance from home. Irvine is about 40 minutes from home and at the time, that still seemed so far from home, but I am so glad I made the decision to attend this university. I have met some of my closest friends and have had great professors who made my classes great. Attending Welcome Week activities and participating in campus organizations have been some positive experiences where I was able to create fun memories with my friends. I have always been interested in education.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to decorate my own room and provide crayon boxes and markers for students. As I got older and began volunteering at a Boys and Girls club, I realized I wanted to be able to help children. Teaching has always been a dream of mine but now I am finding myself wanting to go into counseling. I reasoned if I taught or counseled at a middle school, I could help students prepare for high school and the difficulties they are going to encounter. If I taught or counseled in high school, I could help students confront the difficulties and experience success.

When I was offered the PA position for Jeff Johnston's course, I was very excited. As a PA, I attend the class and observe the students, review their  assignments and tests, help with activities, and talk with students. I let them know that I am here to support them when they need it. I believe being a PA is preparing me for my future as an educator, because I am learning new ways to approach students and communicate with them every chance I get.

In high school, I had teachers that were such great communicators that students would often go to them for advice when they had personal problems. That is the kind of teacher I aspire to be. Not only do I want to educate my students, but also I want them to be comfortable coming to me when they need something.

I would encourage other students to consider being a PA because it is an overall great experience. Students get that one-on-one time with a professor, and get to know them on a personal level rather than as a student in a large class. I have come to admire Mr. Johnston not only as a professor, but also as a person and friend as well. As a PA, you get the experience of being a teaching aid while having a taste of the life you might want if you plan to one day become a teacher. You begin creating bonds with students and assisting them in succeeding in your class as well. Having the opportunity to be a PA was one of the best experiences I have had.

After graduating in June, I will be working an Administrative Assistant position until I am able to attend grad school, and then I will pursue my Master's Degree in School Counseling. I hope to be able to work in neighborhoods like the one I grew up in and give students more resources and support than I had at their age.

After we had talked with Jasmine, we contacted her instructor, Jeff Johnston, for a comment. Jeff wrote back, 

A PA is like an assistant coach. They build bridges such as student-to–student; student-to-teacher, and student—to-course material. Jasmine epitomized such a role. She had such a close connection with a myriad of students. Her relationship with them made it easy for them to ask questions they might normally be hesitant to ask a teacher. Moreover, although we typically have a small staff of Peer Assistants, in which PA s can collectively ‘get the job done’, Jasmine was a singular PA and had to handle all roles.  She was not only able to do all these responsibilities, but she did it with the heart of a teacher. She always took the initiative to remind students of upcoming assignments, or clear up confusions by emailing the class or speaking to students before/after class…..She truly has both the heart and talents of a wonderful teacher!