Chapter 5: Navigating Borderlands of Accountability: An Autoethnographic Exploration

Cuando era solo una niña—about 6 or 7 years old—I loved to play la escuelita during my summer vacation. Being the eldest child made my three younger sisters my students. I read to them, following the example of my favorite teachers. I dreamed of one day becoming la maestra, so I practiced as often as I could. I taught my sisters things I learned at school, gave them assignments and tests, and then graded their work.

As the years passed, I continued to dream about becoming a teacher, but not everyone thought that was the best career choice for me. For some reason people are under the misconception that anyone could be a teacher. A few family members and friends shared that sentiment and argued eres muy inteligente mija, and you should do something more than just teaching. If I remember correctly, I even had some family members ask, por qué quieres ser maestra? They were puzzled and wondered what drove my decision.