Antonio Zamora
I’m Antonio Zamora, a learner at ACLC, and through the two years that I’ve attended this school I’ve grown as a person. I’ve always been known as a nice and positive person but I feel like this year I tend to do it more and more effortlessly.
In terms of Personal Qualities, Work Habits and Attitudes, I’m beginning to show more honesty and more of how I could be trusted. I also strongly encourage and believe in self-worth and I always try to look at everything in a positive manner. Having the opportunity to be yourself socially without having to worry about any social discrimination is incredible. You really get to show your true colors at ACLC and I haven’t been able to be my true self until I started going to school here.
I may not be the best at communicating with my facilitators, but I try to ask my fellow learners. Although I’m not great at communicating, I’m an extremely good listener. I always pay the presenter with respect and treat them as I would like to be treated. I personally think that it’s the best way for me to get and keep the work and lessons in my mind. But recently I’ve actually been learning skills to improve my public speaking. I’m not really good with presenting and things like that but I’m getting a little better with those type of things. I hate to say this but I’d say I’m pretty smart and organized in most subjects but the thing is, I’m just really lazy. I hate that I put other things on my mind instead of school. I try to change but every time I try to commit to it I get so sidetracked and I lose focus really quickly. That’s the only thing that’s been keeping me back. The laziness gets to me and I can’t take it anymore. I need to break these bad habits of mine and actually work and focus on just school, but maybe it’s too late. It’s my senior year and I’m just now realizing this. I just wish I can start high school all over so I could be on top of all my school work.
I’d say I learned a few new skills that helped me learn things easier at ACLC. I can also say that I’m very good at visually learning. For example, If there is a symbol of some sort with no writing or words I can probably tell you what it symbolizes. I’m also a very reasonable individual I would say. For example, one time in class about 3 weeks ago, I was in charge of going to the center and printing out a class set of worksheets. I can also recognize problems and resolve them. There was this one time on a Wednesday after school where I saw a fellow learner sitting on one of the tables in the outback area crying. He looked kind of afraid and not to mention this was late after school, well over 30 minutes after school was out. So I go over to ask what’s wrong and he tells me that his parents probably forgot to pick him up for some reason and the office was closed so he couldn’t get to call home from the office. So my phone was pretty much dead at this point but I gave him my phone and let him call his parents anyways. As soon as I heard a voice on the other line I saw the boy’s face fill with joy. He told me they totally forgot he got out early today since it was Wednesday so they were coming right away, then he gave me a hug and thanked me. I’m really glad I got to resolve his problem.
As for interpersonal abilities I’m a really active participant and a very supportive team member in group work. I equally come up with new ideas, suggestions, and I put in hard work. All I ask for in group work is a leader, I’m not a great facilitator but I can support one at any time. I can help lead and guide others to do what they’re supposed to be doing, but I can’t come up with the starting idea that drives the group and its conversations, well at least alone -- maybe if I had some assistance and support I would be able to. For example, one time I was in a group with a lot of confident and reliable learners. But they wanted be to start the conversation for the topic. I really couldn’t think of anything at the moment but that’s when two specific learners came in and helped me. I feel like it gave me a boost of confidence because listening to others trying to help me come up with something is honestly the best feeling in the world. It made you feel special and actually worth someone’s time.
As for technology, I’m pretty good with solving problems as long as they aren’t too complex and complicated. I can apply technology to certain tasks depending on what the actual task is. I also understand the overall intent and proper procedure for operation, equipment, and accessories. For Technology isn’t really an obstacle for me. I’m pretty familiar with all sorts of technology.
Looking back on my high school years not much has gone well. These past four years I have been struggling and year after year I thought it would change. But nothing changes on its own. You have to work tremendously hard for what you want and how bad you want to succeed. Sadly, I just now began to realize this. I have no motivation. I don’t know what I’m going to do after high school. I still have a lot to work on because I haven’t succeeded. High school has been rough but I’m going to try to finish strong.