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Ali Carcamo Arteaga Delta Alpha - California State University, Long Beach
Teacher and Department Chair, Los Angeles Unified School District
Which of the Delta Zeta shared values resonates with you the most? Belonging
Can you share a brief 5-7 sentence biography about yourself, highlight key moments in your career that have shaped who you are today?
My philosophy on education has always revolved around guiding students to have opportunities to make choices that will ultimately lead them to their highest potential. When creating and acting on my teaching philosophy, I realized the importance of establishing a growth mindset for my students. A growth mindset is something I so fervently believe in because I know for myself, it made me a better student and educator. I hope to instill this into my students so they know they are not “stuck,” but rather there is always room to grow. As a teacher, I like to believe that I am constantly promoting a growth mindset amongst my students. It was very consistently ingrained in my head as a student because I was fortunate to have educators who truly cared about providing opportunities for me and my peers to grow.
Who has been an invaluable mentor for your professional career? What did you learn from this friendship?
Dr. Christine Galvan – California State University/Long Beach.
Not only did she teach me the value of pedagogy and focusing on the ”whole” child, but she gave me perspective on how to balance work and life. She showed me the importance of teaching students personal and social responsibility in physical education, and how these teachings can transcend into a student’s daily life.
I look up to her so much because she helped me fall in love with teaching and to this day makes me want to strive for more in work, life and my personal relationships.
How did you discover your passion and what opportunities have helped shape your curiosity for what you do?
My mom was a teacher for more than 30 years. Some say it was inherent that I’d follow in her footsteps, and I always thought that was highly unlikely. But as I entered college and wound up in an education class, I found an undiscovered love for teaching. Fast forward to my second year of teaching, and a job opened up at the high school I was an alum of, as well as the school where my mom was teaching.
The past 6 years I have taught with my mom have been some of my most formative teaching years. Learning from her vast knowledge, her easygoing spirit, ability to relate with students and peers, and her overall love for her community and giving back, has taught me that teaching is more than what you do in your confined time with students. It is an opportunity to spark engagement and help peers and students alike reach their full potential to make the world a better place.
Looking ahead in your career, how do you envision continuing to incorporate generosity into your leadership style and professional endeavors?
Generosity isn’t just monetary or materialistic; it’s what you can give emotionally, physically, and mentally to those around you and to your community. Generosity, in my mind, is showing empathy and care to those who need it most. It is showing up for my students and going above and beyond to make them the leaders they are destined to be. It is seeing the full potential of my classes and showing them new, unique ways to reach their goals, while taking steps to becoming the best versions of themselves. I want to be able to create dynamic environments that transcend learning beyond the classroom, and be remembered for how I made my students feel; for them to remember that I was a teacher who cared and was able to see past their struggles and home lives, while simultaneously focusing on their strengths and capabilities. Generosity as an educator is time, consideration, and empathy, and it’s those things that I hope to share as I continue in my career.
How has your community helped you professionally? Is there a friend (or Delta Zeta sister) that has been behind you every step of the way on your career journey?
I come from a community that is a melting pot of cultures, immigrants and people who know me because they know my family (it always is somehow one degree of separation in my town). Growing up, it seemed like a lot to have this constant feeling of people watching out for you and knowing who you were, but as I got older and started to work in my community, it became a sense of pride to be so connected to the people who make this town what it is. There is not one specific friend who has been behind me in my career; it really feels like I have a whole group of people backing me up and pushing me towards my full potential. Some may say there’s a plateau point as a teacher, but in my job, I feel like there is always more to give, and that’s because of the people. Something about this place and these people makes me want to do more and to be more. I feel the importance of my job and the difference I can make in the next generation with my community supporting me every step of the way. It is definitely thankless, but being able to help with fundraisers, plan events and be present at sporting events for my students is just some of the things I feel supported in by my community because they see how much of an impact it makes on their children.
What does empowerment mean to you, and how have you worked to empower others in your career or personal life?
Empowerment, to me, means giving others the confidence and opportunities they need to take control of their own lives and make decisions that positively impact their futures. It’s about fostering independence, self-confidence and providing a growth mindset.
As a high school teacher, empowerment means creating an environment where students feel safe: where they are heard, valued and capable of achieving their goals. I prioritize them taking ownership of their learning, and offering feedback so they can reach their full potential. I also try to help students develop emotional intelligence, so they understand their worth and can advocate for themselves.
As a wife, empowerment is supporting my spouse in their personal and professional endeavors, and working together to build a relationship based on mutual respect and open communication. I empower my spouse by being a listening ear, offering advice when asked, and encouraging them to chase their dreams and take risks.
As a mother, empowerment is about teaching my children to be confident in their abilities, to make thoughtful decisions, and to understand the importance of self-reliance and care. I strive to provide them with a safe environment where they can express themselves freely, make mistakes and learn from them, all while knowing they are loved unconditionally.
Empowerment is not just about doing things for others, but helping them realize they have the strength and capability to do things for themselves.
What does it mean to you to create an environment of belonging for others, and how do you carry that lesson into your personal and professional life?
An environment of belonging for others means making sure that those people feel seen, heard and valued for who they are. It’s about fostering a space where individuals can show up authentically, without fear of judgment. For me, when people feel like they belong, they tend to be more engaged, productive, and comfortable in the classroom or in a group of people. In my personal life, I carry this lesson by being intentional in my relationships and interactions. I make sure to be a good listener, be empathetic and acknowledge others’ perspectives. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friend, family member, or even someone I just met, I will always strive to create an atmosphere where they feel understood and accepted.