Lauren Dela Rosa
Lauren Dela Rosa was motivated to pursue her Master’s of Teacher Leadership to help provide more tailored support, resources, and guidance to the students of color in her learning community. She enrolled after she realized that as one of the only educators of color in her learning community, she needed specialized training in teacher leadership to help her advocate for her underrepresented students.
Dela Rosa wanted to use her master’s degree to pursue a rewarding career she loves. She hopes to show up as a leader every day by fostering community, encouraging productive dialogue among colleagues, and finding innovative solutions that support her learning community.
We asked Dela Rosa about her journey throughout her program, her motivations, and inspirations.
1) What initially drew you to the program?
I loved the flexibility that this program offered. I knew that I wanted to strengthen my understanding of education, but I didn’t have the ability to leave my job. This program gave me a chance to do both, and in a reasonable time frame. I also really value opportunities to reflect on myself and my leadership, which this program really targeted.
2) How would you describe your experience with the program?
Overall, I was able to learn a lot from this program. It was a bit of a struggle adjusting to an asynchronous format, since that meant everything needed to be self-motivated. It was also hard not having in-person discussions with my classmates, as I really value the communal part of learning. That being said, I was able to connect with my classmates through asynchronous discussions, and still felt I was able to learn from the ways they engaged with the texts. I also really appreciated being able to do the school work on my own time so that I could continue working while in this program.
3) How did the program’s online format promote your leadership opportunities without sacrificing your vital impact in the classroom?
Being able to continue teaching while in this program was really important to me. I didn’t realize that would also give me an easy way of directly putting my learning into practice. I was able to tailor the curriculum to my genuine experiences as I lived through them in the classroom and school overall. While it was exhausting doing both, I think I was successful in this program because I was able to base my reflections off of my classroom. Many times, I would read or reflect on something, only to have a similar situation arise in my school. It helped with the application of the learning.
4) What inspired you to want to take on new educational leadership opportunities?
As one of the few teachers of color in my learning community, I was one of the few safe spaces that my students of color (in particular) had on campus. During one of my conversations with my students, I realized that I needed more. Listening no longer felt like enough, and I wanted to be able to do something for them. I didn’t feel like I had the tools yet at my disposal to support my students, and hoped that this program would give me the guidance I needed to begin having these tough conversations with my colleagues. While I still don’t feel ready, I have begun to realize I don’t think I ever will. It’s not about being ready. Rather, it’s about whether I care enough to. I don’t have to be a perfect advocate for my students, but I want to be better for them and give them the tools to learn to advocate for themselves. I learned a lot of this mindset in the program, which I am very grateful for.
5) How do you plan to use the teacher leadership program in your career?
I want to be more intentional about the ways I can be a leader without a formal title. I hope to show up as a leader in my role every day, both in how I encourage students to see themselves as leaders and how I engage with my colleagues. I have started sharing the work that I completed during this program with my colleagues. I used to be afraid to start conversations that I did not know how to finish, but I aim to be a leader who works with others to find solutions, which means accepting when I need support.
6) What made you choose the teacher leadership program online with SDSU Global Campus?
Mainly, the flexibility and length of the program. I knew what I was passionate about and wanted to make sure I could use my master’s to pursue my passions. I also knew that working full-time while being a student would be tiring. I was glad the program was only a year long, and felt like that would be more survivable.
7) What would you say to someone considering the program?
You’ll get out of this program what you’re willing to put into it and what you want out of it. Because there is so much flexibility with our capstone project and many of our assignments, you will be able to tailor your learning to your own passions. While it was a long year (both working and being a student is… a lot), it was definitely worth it.
8) Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with the program?
The professors in this program are so supportive!!! I was always worried about reaching out because I didn’t want to bother them, but every single one of them really cares about this program and their students’ success in their classes. They are understanding, and so much of my learning came from their feedback. I really encourage people in this program to engage meaningfully with their feedback.
