My name is Angelica Gaona, and I am a DREAMer at heart. I graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies as a recipient of the American Dream Fund. With a strong passion for education, I have spent the past decade as an elementary school teacher in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. I believe in continuous learning and take pride in empowering students to value their heritage while working closely with underserved communities.
Many of the students I teach come from backgrounds similar to mine, with nine out of my ten years of teaching being spent working with students who speak more than one language at home. I am thrilled to now work exclusively with multilingual students. This opportunity allows for the DREAMer in me to thrive authentically. The experiences of my students as multilingual and multicultural individuals remind me of the importance of fostering organizations that value equity.
My career in teaching began in 2014 with Teach for America. This was mainly possible because of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive order issued by President Barack Obama that allowed undocumented immigrants brought as children to stay and work lawfully in the United States. I was one of the first four DACA recipients in the Phoenix area to join TFA.
In 2015, I went to Washington DC as a “White House Champion of Change” and was nominated as a DACAmented teacher making a difference in Phoenix. Then, I graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2016 with a master’s degree in elementary education. As a teacher I have grown professionally each year and continue to learn from the students I work with every day.
This year is particularly significant for me, as I am now eligible to vote for the first time after living in Arizona for 30 years. Being able to represent my community at the ballot box is a milestone I cherish.
The American Dream Fund scholarship profoundly impacted my life, giving me hope during a time of uncertainty. Growing up, college seemed out of reach due to financial challenges and my undocumented status. Without this scholarship, I’m certain I wouldn’t have been able to graduate from ASU. It not only enabled me to complete my bachelor’s degree but also opened doors to participate in Teach for America, earn a master’s degree and give back to my community as an elementary school teacher.