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I have lately become passionate about neuroscience and the intricate world of the brain. Science has repeatedly demonstrated that our brains will get healthier and longevity will be increased if during adulthood one endeavors to continually learn new information. Whether physical or intellectual, new challenges will facilitate novel brain connectivity. The Master's in Applied Arts and Sciences will give me the educational opportunity to challenge not only my critical thinking skills, but also my intellectuality. I am confident that exploring a completely unfamiliar area of study will expand my horizons, broaden my knowledge, and of course, create new brain connectivity.

I have been planning to start graduate school for many years, but for one reason or another I was forced to postpone graduate studies. Throughout the years, I have done research on different masters programs dedicated to education, especially in the field of English for Speakers of Other Languages. It was not until I met with a former work colleague that I learned about the MALS program at UNCG. There and then, I realized that I needed to reset my educational goals and consider a program that not only would get me out of my comfort zone, but would complement my current and future professional goals. When I read the program description and the list of courses offered in the MALS program at UNCG, I came to the realization that the final outcome would allow me to consider job positions that are not solely dedicated to instruction. There are
three main reasons why I decided to pursue this program: MALS is entirely online, it does not require a GRE, and it will give me the freedom to choose the courses that best fit my educational goals.

My life has always been defined by challenges that I have purposely chosen or opportunities that appeared by random chance. When I was 17 years old, I moved from a small rural town in Argentina to the capital city of Buenos Aires. My biggest challenges at the time were to get accustomed to living in a city of nearly 4 million inhabitants and attending classes at university in a language that was not my mother tongue. Ten years later, I traded my cosmopolitan life and my career as an English as Foreign Language teacher for an unknown future in the USA. My university credentials were not sufficient to immediately continue my teaching career in North Carolina, so I applied to North Carolina Central University to pursue an undergraduate major in English. Working as a full-time teacher’s assistant in the Wake County Public School system and also attending classes at NCCU gave me the essential tools to understand and appreciate
more about American culture and the North Carolina K-12 educational system. My educational experiences in both Argentina and the Unites States have had significant emotional, cultural, and linguistic impacts that have shaped my personality and taught me many valuable lessons.

Immigrating to America has been the single most significant accomplishment in my life. For the past fifteen years, I have been the fortunate recipient of many recognitions that have inspired me to thrive in my chosen field of adult education. Among my academic achievements, I am proud to have been the recipient of the Certificate of Recognition for achievement in the College of Liberal Arts, The NCCU Department of English and Mass Communication (2007). At school, I have been
nominated twice for the “Best Staff Member of The Year” award at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC). This year, I was honored to be selected among a field of several nominees as “The Teacher of The Year” in CCCC. Among my personal achievements, I completed my first marathon in 2011 and created my popular ESL Blog in 2012. One of my strongest character traits is perseverance, which is why I have been able to achieve my goals in spite of encountering many roadblocks along my path.

Teaching is something deeply ingrained in my blood and my being. I come from a family of teachers and I am proud to say that I am part of a third generation of educators. As an ESL instructor, I have taught English to students of all ages for more than 20 years. I was raised in an environment surrounded by educational professionals, so it was natural that I discovered my career goals early in life. The classroom is my favorite place on earth. I like to inspire academic excellence, nurture curiosity, imagination, and creativity. My goal as a teacher is to motivate, challenge and encourage students of any age, gender, or race, taking into account their learning
abilities, cultural background, and present career goals.

 

I perform several leadership roles beyond the classroom, which are mostly related to the practice and profession of teaching. For the past 4 years and a half, my goal has been to grow the CCCC ESL program in Chatham County. Through my leadership, the ESL program has been streamlined, reducing costs and increasing Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) and Educational Functioning Levels (EFLs). After years of frequent participation at events in the town of Siler City, I have become deeply acquainted with the non-English speaking community. I enjoy finding ways to improve
services for ESL students, so I attend events where I can showcase the programs offered by CCCC in Chatham County. I also participated in the “Leadership Chatham” program in 2014, which gave me the opportunity to learn about businesses and create many important contacts for the college. I have been a board member of the Chatham County Literacy Council for the past 4 years and have recently become a board member of the Hispanic Liaison non-profit organization of Siler City.

Having always been a curious person with a thirst for knowledge, I consider myself a lifelong apprentice. I feel confident that the MAAS graduate program at UNCG will not only enrich my brain, but it will also help me become a much wiser individual. Attending such a diverse range of classes will give me the opportunity to expand my interests, think critically, and allow me to continue my journey of self-discovery. I look forward to beginning the MAAS program upon your approval and appreciate your time and effort in considering my application.

 

Sincerely,

Julia E. Herbón