Zacc Romero's Fundraiser
Excellent teaching for every student
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Teaching Matters is committed to enhancing teacher effectiveness and addressing disparities within our education system, ensuring equitable access to high-quality teaching for all children, particularly those from underserved and historically marginalized communities, irrespective of their geographical location. As a native of New York City, I have observed firsthand the profound impact educators have on students.
My personal experience underscores the transformative power of education. Upon immigrating from Mexico City at the age of five, I initially resided in Corona, Queens, where I attended P.S. 14 and was enrolled in a bilingual/ESL program for my first two years. Upon relocating to Middle Village, Queens, and changing schools, I recognized the significant influence of education on my academic development. Transitioning to an English-language curriculum enabled me to excel in subjects like mathematics and science, nurturing my natural abilities while improving my English proficiency. This pivotal shift sparked aspirations in me to pursue careers in science and mathematics, ambitions that were not common among my peers at my previous school. The educators at my new school left a lasting impression on me; to this day, I maintain contact with three of my middle school teachers and annually return to share my life journey with current students.
My awareness of the importance of education expanded further during my time at Brooklyn Technical High School, where I witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of quality education. My peers were driven to enroll in AP STEM courses, pursue admission to Ivy League universities, participate in extracurricular activities, and strive for continuous personal improvement. Conversely, friends from my middle school, attending different high schools, pursued liberal arts courses and community college options, demonstrating a distinct lack of the same ambition and drive for excellence.
This awareness has guided my involvement in coaching the high school wrestling team, where I strive to mentor students in the same manner I was supported. I encourage them to excel in practice, competitions, and academics. While the impact I make may seem modest, I am proud of the multiple city champions my coaching has produced, many of whom are now pursuing STEM disciplines at prestigious institutions such as Princeton, NYU, West Point, and CUNY schools. As I continue to contribute to shaping the future, I am equally committed to supporting Teaching Matters in their mission to empower every child, regardless of their zip code. The potential for future champions, leaders in business, law, medicine, and beyond is limitless among the next generation, and I am honored to play a part in nurturing that potential.