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PYD programs must help Latino youth develop a strong cultural identity and pride. These programs incorporate cultural elements, values, and traditions that resonate with the Latino community, fostering a positive connection to one's heritage.
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PYD programs need to emphasize the development of resilience and coping skills. Given the potential challenges and stressors faced by Latino youth, including acculturation issues, discrimination, or economic disparities, building resilience can be crucial in navigating these challenges effectively.
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PYD programs must encourage community engagement and involvement. Being actively involved in their community can strengthen Latino youth's sense of belonging and connection. It provides opportunities to address community issues, build support networks, and contribute to positive social change.
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At their core, PYD programs must focus on academic achievement and skill-building. This is particularly important for Latino youth who face educational challenges. Positive experiences in education can lead to higher academic achievement and increased opportunities for future success.
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PYD programs need to promote leadership skills and civic engagement. For Latinos, developing leadership skills can empower them to advocate for their communities and contribute to positive changes at local, regional, and national levels.
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PYD programs need to address holistic well-being, including physical and mental health. Given that health disparities exist within the Latino community, promoting healthy lifestyles and mental well-being is essential for overall positive development.
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PYD programs need to be designed to be culturally sensitive and tailored to the unique needs of the Latino community. This ensures that interventions are relevant, engaging, and effective in addressing specific challenges and promoting positive outcomes.
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PYD must recognize the importance of family and social support in youth development. Strong family and community ties are crucial for many Latinos in providing support and guidance. PYD programs can strengthen these support networks.
Positive youth development (PYD) is essential to foster positive social change in our communities. Since 2014, I have been involved in different Washington County, Oregon programs. I firmly believe that PYD is an approach that must focus on nurturing the strengths and potential of youth, helping them develop skills and competencies that will contribute to their well-being and success. Here are some targets that positive youth development need to have:
Over the years, positive youth development has been important in my professional development because it provides a framework for fostering resilience, cultural identity, academic success, leadership skills, and overall well-being not only for the students and the community—but also for myself. By addressing Latino youth's unique needs and strengths, PYD contributes to building a foundation for their success and positive contributions to their individual lives and the broader community. Below are the different programs that I have been involved in. My involvement in each one of them is different, but the outcomes for students have been the same.
Positive Environments Promote Leadership
The Writers’ Locker
In 2022-2023, I was finally able to teach a creative writing class and to celebrate, I created a literary magazine. I assembled a student editorial team to lead all aspects of the magazine. You can read Vol. 2 and Vol. 1. The magazine aims to promote, showcase, and empower student writing. We partnered with other clubs and programs to run the first poetry contest at Forest Grove High School.
Logros
Logros was born out of the need for an award ceremony in the language representing almost 60% of the student body. In the past, translation services have been offered to families, and as inclusive as that is, it still labeled S families as the other. In 2022, I became part of the planning committee for the 1st “Logros” event at our high school. The event was done 100% in Spanish. We presented awards to our LatinX students and their families.
Latinos in Action
Latinos in Action is an elective class I have enjoyed teaching from 2021-2023. I have met the most talented and passionate young people ever. They all strive to create positive social change in our school and community. To teach them the different elements a leader should develop, I created Quetzakuauthly.
Juntos
In 2021-2022, I was a presentation facilitator and club adviser for Juntos. Juntos is a program that helps students prepare for college and educates parents on the process so that the whole family is ready.
High School ELA Teacher
As of August 2021, I have taught Langauge Arts at the high school level. I create all of my materials to ensure that students get high-quality materials that look good, that help them stay organized, and that challenge them to think critically.
M.E.Ch.A.
2017 saw the creation of the first M.E.Ch.A chapter at the middle school where I work. We started with five students and have grown as other students see what we are doing. Our mission is to show students they can become future leaders for our community. It is also essential for us to show how diverse the LatinX community is in Oregon and promote unity within our school.
Middle School Teacher
In 2017, I started my first year as an ELD teacher; that year allowed me to gain valuable experience and insights into what it takes to be a teacher. Like any new skill, it brought frustration, challenges, and triumphs. I've learned from my successes and, most importantly, my mistakes. I'll use that knowledge to continue developing my skills as an educator.
STEAM Camp
In the summer of 2017, I worked as a teacher for Centro Cultural de Washington County. I worked with middle school boys, implementing and developing a STEAM curriculum. Some of the activities included programming, circuits, impromptu speech, science experiments, arts, crafts, and exploring nature.
Supportive Relationships Promote Growth
S.M.I.L.E.
In January 2017, I started a SMILE club at the middle school where I teach ELD. The SMILE club is for underrepresented youth, students from low-income households, and those who would be the first in their families to attend college. The SMILE club meets weekly for one to two hours of hands-on bilingual STEM activities.
4-H Tech Wizards
In 2014, I started working for 4-H Tech Wizards, an Oregon State Extension Service program. Our mission was to promote a STEAM curriculum to help underrepresented and underserved students of Washington County. Through positive youth development, community partners Tech Wizards had after-school programming at Forest Grove High School, CALC, Neil Armstrong Middle School, Hillsboro High School, and Sunset High School.
Sí Se Puede
The summer of 2014 saw how Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts partnered to create and run one of Oregon's first bilingual summer STEAM camps. Sí Se Puede classes were primarily taught in Spanish by paid high school students who became teachers for the summer. Having high school students teach technology classes empowered them and allowed them to be community role models for their students. The technology camp offered all its activities as hands-on and experiential learning for youth.
Just Bike 4-H Club
Spring of 2014 brought the idea to start a Just Bike 4-H Club. It was born out of the need to provide low-income, underserved, and underrepresented at-risk youth the opportunity to have positive youth development through role models, an experiential approach to learning, and an environment to be successful, to promote an interest in bicycles as a sport and recreational activity, to increase academic performance, improve work skills through the maintenance and repair of bikes, increase commitment to life-long learning, and community service.
Social Engagement Creates Change
4-H OUTREACH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Oregon 4-H Outreach Leadership Institute (4-H OLI) was created and designed using a role model philosophy. The Oregon 4-H OLI project engages in identifying, engaging, informing, teaching, and motivating high school students to participate in a series of institutes throughout the school year. At these institutes, students become informed about the postsecondary educational system and develop the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to earn good grades and finish high school.
Togheter We Create a New World
WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS
In 2016 I became a Writer in the School (WITS) for Literary Arts. The purpose was to inspire students to write, revise, edit, publish, and perform their own stories. The WITS youth program allowed me to teach two writing classes at Lincoln High school. For ten weeks, I was teaching a Short Story and a Journalism class to high school students.
Positive Environments Promote Leadership
The Writers’ Locker
In 2022-2023, I was finally able to teach a creative writing class and to celebrate, I created a literary magazine. I assembled a student editorial team to lead all aspects of the magazine. You can read Vol. 2 and Vol. 1. The magazine aims to promote, showcase, and empower student writing. We partnered with other clubs and programs to run the first poetry contest at Forest Grove High School.
Logros
Logros was born out of the need to have award ceremonies in the language representing almost 60% of the student body. In the past, translation services have been offered to families, and as inclusive as that is, it still labeled those families as the other. In 2022, I became part of the planning committee for the 1st “Logros” event at our high school. The event was done 100% in Spanish. We presented awards to our LatinX students and their families.
Latinos in Action
Latinos in Action is an elective class I have enjoyed teaching from 2021-2023. I have met the most talented and passionate young people ever. They all strive to create positive social change in our school and community. To teach them the different elements a leader should develop, I created Quetzakuauthly.
Juntos
In 2021-2022, I was a presentation facilitator and club adviser for Juntos. Juntos is a program that helps students prepare for college and educates parents on the process so that the whole family is ready.
High School ELA Teacher
As of August 2021, I have taught Langauge Arts at the high school level. I create all of my materials to ensure that students get high-quality materials that look good, that help them stay organized, and that challenge them to think critically.
M.E.Ch.A.
2017 saw the creation of the first M.E.Ch.A chapter at the middle school where I work. We started with five students and have grown as other students see what we are doing. Our mission is to show students they can become future leaders for our community. It is also essential for us to show how diverse the LatinX community is in Oregon and promote unity within our school.
Middle School Teacher
In 2017, I started my first year as an ELD teacher; that year allowed me to gain valuable experience and insights into what it takes to be a teacher. Like any new skill, it brought frustration, challenges, and triumphs. I've learned from my successes and, most importantly, my mistakes. I'll use that knowledge to continue developing my skills as an educator.
STEAM camp
In the summer of 2017, I worked as a teacher for Centro Cultural de Washington County. I worked with middle school boys, implementing and developing a STEAM curriculum. Some of the activities included programming, circuits, impromptu speech, science experiments, arts, crafts, and exploring nature.
Suportive Relationships Promote Wrowth
S.M.I.L.E.
In January 2017, I started a SMILE club at the middle school where I teach ELD. The SMILE club is for underrepresented youth, students from low-income households, and those who would be the first in their families to attend college. The SMILE club meets weekly for one to two hours of hands-on bilingual STEM activities.
4-H Tech Wizards
In 2014, I started working for 4-H Tech Wizards, an Oregon State Extension Service program. Our mission was to promote a STEAM curriculum to help underrepresented and underserved students of Washington County. Through positive youth development, community partners Tech Wizards had after-school programming at Forest Grove High School, CALC, Neil Armstrong Middle School, Hillsboro High School, and Sunset High School.
Sí Se Puede
The summer of 2014 saw how Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts partnered to create and run one of Oregon's first bilingual summer STEAM camps. Sí Se Puede classes were primarily taught in Spanish by paid high school students who became teachers for the summer. Having high school students teach technology classes empowered them and allowed them to be community role models for their students. The technology camp offered all its activities as hands-on and experiential learning for youth.
Just Bike 4-H Club
Spring of 2014 brought the idea to start a Just Bike 4-H Club. It was born out of the need to provide low-income, underserved, and underrepresented at-risk youth the opportunity to have positive youth development through role models, an experiential approach to learning, and an environment to be successful, to promote an interest in bicycles as a sport and recreational activity, to increase academic performance, improve work skills through the maintenance and repair of bikes, increase commitment to life-long learning, and community service.
Social Engagement Creates Change
4-H OUTREACH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Oregon 4-H Outreach Leadership Institute (4-H OLI) was created and designed using a role model philosophy. The Oregon 4-H OLI project engages in identifying, engaging, informing, teaching, and motivating high school students to participate in a series of institutes throughout the school year. At these institutes, students become informed about the postsecondary educational system and develop the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to earn good grades and finish high school.
WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS
In 2016 I became a Writer in the School (WITS) for Literary Arts. The purpose was to inspire students to write, revise, edit, publish, and perform their own stories. The WITS youth program allowed me to teach two writing classes at Lincoln High school. For ten weeks, I was teaching a Short Story and a Journalism class to high school students.
The Writers’ Locker
In 2022-2023, I was finally able to teach a creative writing class and to celebrate, I created a literary magazine. I assembled a student editorial team to lead all aspects of the magazine. You can read Vol. 2 and Vol. 1. The magazine aims to promote, showcase, and empower student writing. We partnered with other clubs and programs to run the first poetry contest at Forest Grove High School.
Logros
Logros was born out of the need to have award ceremonies in the language representing almost 60% of the student body. In the past, translation services have been offered to families, and as inclusive as that is, it still labeled those families as the other. In 2022, I became part of the planning committee for the 1st “Logros” event at our high school. The event was done 100% in Spanish. We presented awards to our LatinX students and their families.
Latinos in Action
Latinos in Action is an elective class I have enjoyed teaching from 2021-2023. I have met the most talented and passionate young people ever. They all strive to create positive social change in our school and community. To teach them the different elements a leader should develop, I created Quetzakuauthly.
Juntos
In 2021-2022, I was a presentation facilitator and club adviser for Juntos. Juntos is a program that helps students prepare for college and educates parents on the process so that the whole family is ready.
High School ELA Teacher
As of August 2021, I have taught Langauge Arts at the high school level. I create all of my materials to ensure that students get high-quality materials that look good, that help them stay organized, and that challenge them to think critically.
M.E.Ch.A.
2017 saw the creation of the first M.E.Ch.A chapter at the middle school where I work. We started with five students and have grown as other students see what we are doing. Our mission is to show students they can become future leaders for our community. It is also essential for us to show how diverse the LatinX community is in Oregon and promote unity within our school.
Middle School Teacher
In 2017, I started my first year as an ELD teacher; that year allowed me to gain valuable experience and insights into what it takes to be a teacher. Like any new skill, it brought frustration, challenges, and triumphs. I've learned from my successes and, most importantly, my mistakes. I'll use that knowledge to continue developing my skills as an educator.
STEAM camp
In the summer of 2017, I worked as a teacher for Centro Cultural de Washington County. I worked with middle school boys, implementing and developing a STEAM curriculum. Some of the activities included programming, circuits, impromptu speech, science experiments, arts, crafts, and exploring nature.
S.M.I.L.E.
In January 2017, I started a SMILE club at the middle school where I teach ELD. The SMILE club is for underrepresented youth, students from low-income households, and those who would be the first in their families to attend college. The SMILE club meets weekly for one to two hours of hands-on bilingual STEM activities.
4-H Tech Wizards
In 2014, I started working for 4-H Tech Wizards, an Oregon State Extension Service program. Our mission was to promote a STEAM curriculum to help underrepresented and underserved students of Washington County. Through positive youth development, community partners Tech Wizards had after-school programming at Forest Grove High School, CALC, Neil Armstrong Middle School, Hillsboro High School, and Sunset High School.
Sí Se Puede
The summer of 2014 saw how Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts partnered to create and run one of Oregon's first bilingual summer STEAM camps. Sí Se Puede classes were primarily taught in Spanish by paid high school students who became teachers for the summer. Having high school students teach technology classes empowered them and allowed them to be community role models for their students. The technology camp offered all its activities as hands-on and experiential learning for youth.
Just Bike 4-H Club
Spring of 2014 brought the idea to start a Just Bike 4-H Club. It was born out of the need to provide low-income, underserved, and underrepresented at-risk youth the opportunity to have positive youth development through role models, an experiential approach to learning, and an environment to be successful, to promote an interest in bicycles as a sport and recreational activity, to increase academic performance, improve work skills through the maintenance and repair of bikes, increase commitment to life-long learning, and community service.
4-H OUTREACH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Oregon 4-H Outreach Leadership Institute (4-H OLI) was created and designed using a role model philosophy. The Oregon 4-H OLI project engages in identifying, engaging, informing, teaching, and motivating high school students to participate in a series of institutes throughout the school year. At these institutes, students become informed about the postsecondary educational system and develop the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to earn good grades and finish high school.
WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS
In 2016 I became a Writer in the School (WITS) for Literary Arts. The purpose was to inspire students to write, revise, edit, publish, and perform their own stories. The WITS youth program allowed me to teach two writing classes at Lincoln High school. For ten weeks, I was teaching a Short Story and a Journalism class to high school students.
My presentations focus on sharing my story. I want to empower students to share their stories and to use creative writing as a tool for +SocialChange. I want them to understand that it is our responsibility to educate each other to preserve our humanity.
Latinos in Action: Latino Youth Empowerment. Oregon Association of Latino Administrators. February 4, 2023
Critical Thinkers Make Better Leaders. Educate Ya - Avanza Leadership Program. September 25, 2022.
Your future is in your hands. Juntos is an Oregon State University Open Campus Program. January 16, 2020.
Warrant of Deportation: Using Writing as A Tool for +SocialChange. Western Oregon University. César E. Chávez Leadership Conference. March 2, 2018
Using Creative Writing as A Tool for Social Change. Corvallis High School. Spanish Department. The Central American Diaspora: The Exodus. May 17, 2017
Using Creative Writing as A Tool for Social Change. Tigard High School. M.E.Ch.A State Wide Conference Stronger Together: The Power of Change is in Our Hands. April 14, 2017
Using Creative Writing as A Tool for Social Change. Western Oregon University. César E. Chávez Leadership Conference. March 3, 2017
Chronicles of An Undocumented Youth. Neil Armstrong Middle School. Eighth Grade Language Art Department. December 12, 2016
From Object to Subject: Writing as A Tool for Social Change. Gresham High School. 2016 Statewide M.E.Ch.A Conference. April 29, 2016
The 1.5 Generation: Living in the Borderlands. Pacific University. Spanish Department. April 5, 2016
The Matrix of Deportation and Identity: Using Creative Writing as A Tool for Social Change. Western Oregon University. César E. Chávez Leadership Conference. March 4, 2016
Parent Outreach: Deportation Nation. Sunset High School. February 17, 2016
Writing to Inspire: Dissecting a Personal Essay. Chemeketa Community College. Oregon Leadership Institute. November 21, 2015
Youth Development: The Importance of Being Mentors for Youth. Pacific University. Spanish Department. October 23, 2015
Essay Writing: Writing as An English Language Learner. Portland Community College. ESOL Department. October 19, 2015