Nancy Serrano by: Deanna Hicks

Nancy's story was one of true passion to encourage and allow children to see that where I live does not determine what my success will be as an adult. Nancy's main goal was to educate her children about life experiences and to get them to think outisde of the box. You don't have to succumb to your surrendings and challenge every thing that is set in front of you.
Nancy Serrano's story resembled my life in some ways, although I did not grow up poor, I have three sisters and one brother. The first time leaving them was when I went to DePaul for the Golden Apple program. Like Nancy all of my roommates were white from suburban America. I had to let down my barriers and actually get to know them. Nancy went back to her old neighborhood to teach and this was also my dream, I thought it would be awesome to teach in the neighborhood in which I grew up and to show children positive influences. now I work in an urban neighborhood on the south side of Chicago and although we learn the curriculum. I take moments as Nancy did to discuss the difference between proper language and language for at home. (I have first grade)
Nancy's mission as a teacher was to provide her students with 1. the ability to have an open mnd and be critical thinkers you do not have to accept things just because other people say that is how it is supposed to be. 2. She wanted her students to understand that they can do whatever they want it does not matter where you are from you have the ability to do whatever you want. She encouraged her students to challenge anything and everyone and did not back down when they challenged her. I love the open dialouge she had with her studnets and how she hangled the tough conversations. Especially being a first year teacher this is hard to overcome, knowing your boundaries with studetns, getting them to open up and trust you. I admire the role Nancy took with her children and hwo she had to reflect on her own life and road blocks for the betterment of the students.