My name is Joany Morales Fiol and I am 23 years old. I was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and raised in the lovely island of Puerto Rico. I am the beloved daughter of Jose Morales and Ana Fiol. I also have a younger brother Josean Morales. Since we moved from Pennsylvania we have lived in a rural part of Humacao named Mariana. My childhood was the best. I had the opportunity to play with my cousins filled of dirt and joy. As I became older, my interests were changing. I started to spend more time alone in my room listening to music and talking on the phone with my friends. I graduated from high school with honors and great memories. I was accepted at the University of Puerto Rico at my hometown. I started studying Business Administration in Human Resources. The first semester was a nightmare. I was having problems with math so I decided to reclassify to what I always wanted to be, an English teacher. I have always loved the school environment and through my childhood I always wanted to be an English teacher but my family didn’t like the idea very much. I reflected and analyze the possibility and it has been the best decision I have taken in my whole life.
In June of 2009, a very special person came into my life. I gave birth to Jomniel. He is now 4 years old. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. I am a young mother but a very responsible one. I have always worked hard to give him what he deserves. Being a young mother hasn’t been easy because I had to change my priorities, first my son, then my studies and then my social life. He is my motor and the one that keeps me on the right track. To him I owe everything I am today. Because of him I wake up every day to struggle for a better future. I am about to finish my BA in English at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. One think I ask myself since the moment I made the decision of becoming a teacher is why? Seeing all the bad news about the injustice of the teachers’ salaries in Puerto Rico and the disrespect people have towards the teaching profession makes me want to think why I am entering this difficult environment. I only have one answer; I was born to be a teacher. Since a little girl I used to be the teachers helper. I would always be the first one to arrive and he last one to leave the classroom. I have always loved the learning environment but my family wanted me to be something “bigger” such as a lawyer or an architect. When my family saw how much I enjoyed my classes they realize that being a teacher is the best thing I could do. Now I am starting a new journey. I am going to teach a group of students for a whole semester as part of my practice teaching. I know everything will turn out good. It has been a few years in which I have been getting prepared with theories and now is the time to take them into practice. I know is not going to be easy but I am willing to struggle until I succeed.