I was born in Santa Barbara, California, and lived in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico for the first five years of my life. Salinas has been my home since I was ten years old. My parents, despite facing hardships, always emphasized the importance of education as the pathway to a better future. From an early age, I understood that literacy was not just about reading words on a page but about opening doors to new worlds, fostering critical thinking, and empowering individuals to advocate for themselves and their communities. As a first-generation college graduate, my life has been a testament to the power of education and the unwavering support of family. From these foundational roots, I have built a fulfilling life as a middle school English teacher, driven by my passion to inspire the next generation.