Help Lisa Ramos FINISH her MASTER'S Degree!!

Hi there!

Thanks so much for dropping by my fundraising page! It means a lot to me that you're taking the time out of your day to read my story and offer any type of support you're able to. Times are tough for a lot of people; so, I truly do appreciate it!

For those of you who don't know me, --my name is Lisa Ramos. Chicago, IL born and raised native, yet I had the wonderful privilege of living in Southern California for 6 years. Shout out to my California family and friends!! I'm an 11-year educator who has worked in the Chicagoland suburbs, and the inner city of Chicago where I'm currently teaching. Right now, I'm a high school Theatre, Public Speaking, and Digital Arts instructor within one of the Noble Network of Charter Schools. My mentor Dom, calls me a unicorn. :) I've taught a few different subjects since I've been in the classroom, yet Theatre and the Fine Arts is where I'm most comfortable. Within my tenure in California, I had the wonderful opportunity of teaching in both the Northern and Southern parts of that vast and enormous state. I've had the honor of teaching leadership to high schoolers who are student council members within their school, who want to make positive impact and change on their campus. Most of my time before I transitioned back to Chicago was focused in the Los Angeles area alongside working for a Shakespeare company in their educational outreach programs. (See Dom was right, I am a unicorn.)

My CORE Camp Crew in California running our leadership camp for high schoolers.

Receiving my crystal apple award for teaching in a school of need for The Golden Apple Foundation of Illinois.

Why I'm writing you all today...

11 months ago, I took my mentor's advice and reinvested into myself, my education, and my career. After some deep reflection, soul searching, and some heavy study sessions, I applied and got accepted into Graduate School at the University of California Santa Cruz in one of their on-line programs!! (And it's new!) What makes this program even more unique is that it's an accelerated program, so half the time! Yet still the same workload. I don't have to go to California until I defend my thesis. That time will be here before I know it--I'm still shocked that I'm halfway through the program now. I've spent the last 9 months immersed in all things school again and I'm loving every minute of it. I'm also amazed at myself for doing that and teaching full time. (I promise I sleep. *Pinky promise*.) Yet, what I'm learning in the classroom as a student again, I'm directly applying to my current students. It's amazing what I'm seeing, and what I'm learning. (And I think my kiddos like knowing they're a part of my learning, too.) My master's (M.A) is focused on trauma work/trauma theory and how taking a trauma-informed approach to discipline through the lenses of different trauma theories, restoration can transform the culture of a charter school. Still working out the exact title of my thesis, but we're getting there.

How you can help...

When I made the big bold decision to apply and accept a position to my university, I did so without any FAFSA support. I've financed the first year of grad school through my own personal loans and salary from my current teaching job. You see, when President Biden attempted to wipe out student debt, I qualified for that program and sent all my undergraduate loans down that bumpy and not so fruitful program--so that being said, FAFSA was off the table when it was time for me to apply to school. And it's still off the table now, as my loans from undergraduate are now being put into another program from President Biden to wipe them out. So, you see, I'm stuck in limbo when it comes to FAFSA assistance.

As I approach my final 9 months, I've come up short on the remaining tuition for the year--and that is where I'm hoping you and your generosity can assist me in reaching my goal of completing my master's degree.

The $8,500 that I'm hoping to fundraise will take me through the rest of the year with all my classes. It will also cover all materials, books, software requirements, practicum requirements, and any fees from licensing/credential assessments that I'll be required to take, and any remaining fees from the University. Everything has a cost. And this is the last bill that I have to pay before that degree is in my hand!

Classes resume in a few weeks, and Santa Cruz has let me register--but I'm on a tight deadline to repay the rest of the tuition. Time is of the essence as I want to really dial my focus into my last 9 months and the second semester of teaching that I have to do alongside it. Oh, and you know, the other things that being an adult demands. lol.

A Final Thought...

Before you click the link to support me in my goal of completing my master's degree, I want to share with you why this means so much to me, and why I'm so thankful for your support.

When I was a child, school was safe for me. It was always safe. My home life, like most in my generation was bumpy. Filled with verbal and emotional abuse-substance abuse transcending generations, divorce, and a lot of grief/loss. School was my escape. School was my freedom. School was my sanctuary. School was the place where my teachers, at every grade level, met me where I was. Met me, saw me, heard me, and saw an immense potential for greatness. Most, if not all of my teachers knew that home was turbulent; and they knew that regardless of that tension, I was determined to succeed--and succeed I did. If it wasn't for the support and love from my teachers, I wouldn't be where I'm at today. With every life challenge thrown my direction there was an army of teachers, and now turned mentors ready to pick me up, help me find my step/cadence again, and remind me how strong that I still was, and always have been. The safety that they all provided in every steppingstone in my educational career has only propelled me in my professional career. I hear their words sometimes in my head as I connect with a student and teach them.

Teaching is my calling.

My true purpose in this world. In the last several years education has changed, and COVID-19 has transformed it drastically with acceleration. I felt a duty, a responsibility to go back to school and learn more! I saw and felt the change when I went back into the classroom after lockdown was over. I knew that I wanted and needed to learn more skills, gain more tools, and means to connect with my students. Connect with my students in way of safety and love that lifts them up to learn in a world that is always changing and it always on. Their pressures are much different than the ones I faced at their age. This generation has seen such a drastic change and shift in everything, they're stunted, and they are scared. This program has helped me bring so many of them out of that, and into a space to activate their greatness that I see in them. Pushing past the fears that they have. The same greatness that my teachers saw in me at every venture. I will pay that forward as long as my body lets me.

I truly believe what Nelson Mandela says, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Thank you again for your support. Thank you for helping me change the world!! My students in room 210, also thank you!

Love,

Ms. Ramos