Her Story
About Liliana
I have been in higher education since 2006, working at Western New Mexico University. I'm really passionate about early childhood education, which is my main area, as well as mentoring and coaching pre-service teachers. I'm an instructor teaching associate's degree and bachelor's degree courses in the same field of early child education. One of the things that I feel has really shown me who I am as a person is the mentoring part of teaching. I really emphasize and educate new teachers to work on the reflective part of teaching. It's a big thing, but at the same time, it is very important that they practice this reflection. I have gained a lot of knowledge throughout my years in asking open-ended questions to new pre-service teachers, so they can really build a relationship and philosophy about why they are here, why are they taking education courses, what is their purpose. You know, to just kind of start the foundation of building on that reflective practice that is very necessary in pretty much all the fields, but in education, working with young children, you have to really understand why. My journey started when I was born in Mexico and came to this country not knowing English as an English language learner. I became a single mom and started providing childcare in my home through a state program. Through the trainings I attended, I discovered there was a whole field called Early Childhood Education. In 2004, I visited Western New Mexico University and fell in love with it, especially because they had an accredited childcare center where my children could attend while I went to school. I drove 45 minutes back and forth to attend classes. I became involved with the New Mexico Association for Young Children and volunteered in membership services, traveling to meetings and conferences. I did that for 10 years. After starting as a student in 2004, they hired me as a teacher in 2006. In 2018, they offered me a curriculum coordinator job where I oversaw teachers and their curriculum and mentored them. The university sent me to trainings where I learned about mentoring and coaching, and I created my own mentor portfolio. Two years later, they asked me to be an adjunct professor, and I was still going to school myself to better myself. Now I'm in the process of continuing my education and currently serve as part of the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department through the mentorship network, where I plan monthly meetings and provide training sessions for mentors across New Mexico.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Liliana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think all the people that I've crossed paths with. Every person has given me something to think about, have helped me reflect on things. Every person that has shown me what early childhood is, and how it's been built upon, and what it looks like, and the new facets that it brings that people don't know. Sometimes we're stuck in the idea that young children, even infants in the classroom, are just for taking care of, and people think they're just babysitting, but the whole idea that they're responsive caregivers is amazing. I am amazed about the work that they do, and I learn from everybody, from every person that is out there doing their best. I don't see myself as the better person because of my education, because even young pre-service teachers with this new generation are coming in and bringing new ideas that maybe I never thought of. So it's ongoing learning, and that's the most beautiful thing. I always tell my students, you are here not just for me to teach you something new, you are here so I can learn from you as well. You are helping me grow. It's beautiful how building those relationships is so important, and letting them know I hear you, I understand. Especially because I teach the Foundations class with brand new students fresh out of high school, or maybe there have been teachers for a while but they need to get certified. They're coming in with different perspectives, from new generations to old generations, and it's amazing how we can get so much from that. Learning so much about how to get them excited about why they're there, excited about them to wonder why on their own.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Being a second language learner here in the southwest part of New Mexico and Texas, there is a high number of people that are just like me. They're starting with learning the English language and wanting to do more, but not being able to because sometimes they feel like their language will block the path to move forward to education, especially when they want to work in a field like with children, working with children. One of the things is that supporting young children and supporting the need of having a good foundation for young children doesn't need language. It needs passion and it needs authenticity. You have to be a real person with a good cause and a good heart. Compassion is important. Sometimes we forget that relationships are the foundation to build something and see what you're bringing into the field. Relationships are important. The world is taking away the idea of building relationships with people. We are so much more reactive, and we can't stop to see other people's perspectives and points of view. And it's important to do that.
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