Getting to Know You: Andrea Castillo
Andrea Castillo – Elementary Education
Year: Junior
Hometown: Ajijic, Jalisco (Mexico)
Where are you from?
I am from Ajijic, Jalisco in Mexico. I arrived here in Vancouver when I was 6 and have been here since then.
Why are you studying education? What do you hope to do with that after you graduate?
I am studying education because I want to be the teacher I wish I had growing up. I never had a teacher of color or a teacher that could relate to my story as an immigrant. I also want to change the way students view education and let them use their curiosity to learn and obtain information.
Why did you choose WSU Vancouver (as opposed to going somewhere like Pullman)?
I choose WSU Vancouver because it is the only 4-year university close to my house and my family can not afford to pay for me to live on campus somewhere else. I also chose it because I was able to see people who looked like and who had similar stories to mine.
What’s been your favorite part of the WSUV experience thus far?
My favorite part so far is getting to know people and being close to them because it is amazing to have people who support me in school that way I know I can just go to them if I need anything.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge I have faced so far is trying to balance everything and have good grades because sometimes it can be overwhelming and easy to procrastinate. I am a student, a sister, a daughter, a worker, a friend, and a girlfriend so it can be challenging to put myself first and just focus on myself.
What’s something you’ve learned in Shameem Rakha’s course that you think has been valuable?
I have learned so many amazing things from Dr. Shameem’s class but something that is sticking with me is that students are never too young to learn about the history that is not shared in books of the United States. As educators, we try so hard to sugar code things for our students because we think we are helping them and protecting them from the world when we are actually just harming them.
What makes you an agent of change?
I am an agent of change because I share my story of being a DACA recipient and I try to show others that we don’t need to come from a wealthy family or be super “smart” to be in college. I share my story so others who are in the same place as I am can have the courage to reach their goals and dreams.
Learn more about Andrea’s story here.