I come to you with what I hope you will appreciate to be a unique life experience, filled with high aspirations and dedication to the lifelong pursuit of learning and exploration of life. I am a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, UCSB in Middle Eastern History. I spent a year abroad studying in Jerusalem and traveling throughout the Middle East: Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Israel. I am also a musician, a singer and songwriter. I play guitar and electronically record and produce my own music. My life has taken many twists and turns, but one theme that has remained constant throughout, is my interest in exploring and learning, experiencing life to the fullest, and my passion for social justice for all people.

One of the ways I supported myself during college was by working as a tutor and teacher's aide in the Santa Barbara School District. I was hired into a program that provided tutoring and mentoring to low-income students, for which many, English was their second language. I tutored 4-5 hours a week in History, English, Math, Science and Social Studies. I had my own group of regular students and taught both one-on-one and in a classroom setting of around 8-10 students. One thing that struck me was how, with just a little extra attention to their specific questions, each of my students was able to gain added confidence and improve their grades. My students taught me again and again, that each child has the capability to learn and that no child should be overlooked or abandoned. Even though some of them had difficulties in particular areas of study, each of them was eager to do better and to succeed as best they could. I enjoyed this experience very much and have not forgotten the importance that time, care and dedication can have on a student's ability to learn.

As an undergraduate at UCSB, I fell in love with World History and the history of the Middle East in particular. I found this rich history and culture to be both intriguing and inspiring. I was also developing as a singer and songwriter at this time in my life and Middle Eastern music inspired my singing style, song texture and lyrics. I found myself adding layers and dimensions that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. Simultaneously, I was becoming politically active during this time of my life as well. I joined Amnesty International and served on their branch organizing committee on campus for a year, inviting speakers and helping to give presentations to increase student participation on campus. I also was a reporter at KCSB, the college radio station for 2 years and a music DJ as well. I hosted my own late night music program in which local musicians and activists from around Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles performed and were guests. I became increasingly serious about my studies in History, Politics and Women's Studies, and as a Junior I won the Stuart Bernath prize for the best undergraduate paper in the History Department for my Proseminar Paper: The History of Politicization Among Palestinian Women in the Early 20th Century. In fact, I became so excited by my studies that I decided I needed to travel to the region in order to continue my research of politics among Palestinian Women and also to study Middle Eastern Languages and Music in the country where all of this was taking place. I earned an Education Abroad scholarship to study in Jerusalem, Israel and packed my bags and headed off to the adventure of my life.

Spending a year abroad studying in a foreign country was one of the most influential and magical experiences of my life. I am so grateful for such an opportunity that my education allowed me. This year and a half opened my eyes to the ways people outside of the United States lived, and I met people from all over the world. I witnessed firsthand the difficulties the Palestinian people endured, but I also was amazed at their hopefulness and willingness to work for peace. I worked side by side with activists from all over the world and throughout the West Bank and Gaza. I partook in a 3-month internship with local peace organizations where we visited schools in Gaza and the West Bank, where I helped teach English and music on the weekends. It was a very challenging experience, especially given the fact that we worked in an environment of extreme poverty and great political conflict. Military skirmishes and gunfire going off in broad daylight, right outside the school's walls, was a common occurrence. It was rare that we were able to get a full afternoon of lessons in undisturbed. However, I learned a lot about teaching and learning under extreme circumstances during this time. I longed to get back to the United States, to work toward influencing our government to change its foreign policy of imperialism and to encourage it more toward a path of social justice abroad and at home. Nevertheless, the rewards of seeing the kids smiling, learning and developing, even under such harsh circumstances, made all of these otherwise difficult situations so fulfilling. I hope I contributed even half as much as my students gave to me; and I hope to return some summer to do another type of internship like this again or maybe even develop a cultural exchange program between teachers.

After returning to the United States and graduating from college, I moved to Los Angeles to become a more serious activist and musician. I always knew that one day I would return to the world of higher education, but I felt very strongly that what I needed next was to spend a solid amount of years outside of the University environment gaining more life experience. I wanted to grow as a person and mature as a woman, musician, artist and activist. Since being out of college I have had many experiences: performing my music live, traveling as a musician, creating experimental videos and performance art, learning the business of producing and recording music, and working in solidarity alongside many Los Angeles activists. However, the one thing that was always missing for me was having a fulfilling job each day to go to, and I really missed working with kids. It can be very difficult to earn a living as an independent musician in today's society. For many years now I have been searching for a way to combine my passion for justice, my appreciation of education and learning, my enthusiasm for music and art, and my love of working with children into a career that allows me to express all these interests that I have. I long to find a way to balance continuing to be an artist, giving back to my community, and at the same time, earning a sustainable income as well.

Fortunately, I have met many exceptional teachers over the past few years or so who have inspired me to seriously pursue teaching as a career--a career that both gives and gives back as well. Many of my friends are teachers, and I am continually inspired not only by their dedication and love of their work but also by their satisfaction at the end of the day in knowing that they are contributing something of value to their communities and the world. I love hearing their stories of working within the classroom and of the little victories they experience each day when their students are learning something new. I believe that my early experiences of teaching students in low-income and urban communities have given me a good foundation from which to draw from, prior to entering into a Masters of Education program. I also believe that my some ten years of experience in the job market, primarily working at the American Film Institute, an institution of higher learning and a not-for-profit as well, has given me added skills for working professionally and successfully.

Recently I heard Julie Washington, elementary vice president and member of UTLA, speak at a conference on education. I was very inspired by her commitment towards improving the working conditions of both her fellow teachers and her students. Some of the key issues she and other teachers were actively campaigning for were: class-size reduction, maintenance of health care and other benefits, more teacher participation in curriculum planning and implementation, and a sharp reduction in standardized testing. I, too, hope to be involved in these struggles with my fellow teachers in endeavoring to help make teaching in Los Angeles more successful and more enjoyable for both teachers and students. I truly believe that teaching is an excellent profession for a person such as myself, as someone who strives to continue learning and exploring life, while at the same time, contributing to the world in which she is an active part.

I am working towards a Masters Degree in Education in particular because I take my studies seriously, and I plan to develop myself into the best teacher that I can become. Through studying child development and learning, I believe that I will be better equipped to provide my students with the best education possible. Because of my financial situation, I need to both work and earn my degree at the same time. Any help that your foundation would be able to give would make an enormous difference in my educational experience, as well as lighten the hardships I will face in paying back my loans. Unfortunately, life is an unfair playing field for so many young students, and I want my life to be spent helping to even out this field for the urban youth of Los Angeles. Quality education is something that I believe all children have a basic human right to. It is the foundation for providing more opportunities and improving the quality of life for everyone. I am very much looking forward to using my life experience and creativity to helping children reach their highest potential, while simultaneously helping them to explore all the possibilities that life has to offer. I also am very interested in continuing my own activism, and, in particular, becoming an active teacher and member of the teachers' union. I look forward to using my energy and talents towards improving the working conditions for teachers and students throughout the state of California. I also hope that my artistic talents and experiences will help me in finding creative ways to inspire my students.