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Adriana Perales

@adriana-perales

My story began as an 18 year old without any true direction. As a daughter of a public school employee, I spent many days and evenings at schools while my mom, the school secretary, finished up paperwork. I grew accustomed to helping teachers set up their classrooms in summer, sorting and filing for them or lending a hand in any way I could. As I grew older, I began searching for a job that would allow me the flexibility to be a student but still earn an income. That was when I applied to become an instructional assistant - I spent 5 years working as an instructional assistant, and 2 years working at an adult program as a job coach. Through my years, I was fortunate to work with a variety of phenomenal teachers. After making a move to the Central Coast of California from Southern California, I began to pursue other avenues of work. It was one day while shopping at target as a 24 year old that I realized my heart's true calling. I came to the checkout line and the cashier was an adult man with autism. The amount of joy my heart felt could have only been seen through the tears I began to cry - the friend I was shopping with stopped and looked over at me, instantly urging me to pursue my heart. The amount of joy I felt seeing that man live a happy and fulfilled life is something I will never be able to truly explain to people. My heart fills with insurmountable joy when I think about the amount of impact being made day to day. There is nothing my heart desires more in this life than to see people with disabilities to be seen for what they truly are - humans. Just humans like you and me. I desire to see them grow, happy and healthy; to live lives that are full of contentment, joy, and growth. That is my story, that is why I teach, that is why I wake up everyday knowing that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. My story began as an 18 year old without any true direction. As a daughter of a public school employee, I spent many days and evenings at schools while my... read more

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Joined February, 2019 |

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