Autobiography

My name is Lourdes T. Machin Santiago and I was born on October 28 1991 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My parents are Anthony Machin and Zaida Santiago. I lived in Caguas, Puerto Rico and at the age of four my parents, older sister and I moved to Orlando, Florida. I started attending school at the age of five in Conway Elementary. My mom had three more girls making me the second of five daughters (nope there were no boys).

 

I lived very close to many famous theme parks (Disney World, Universal Studios) and we would go there a lot. We would also travel to our island to visit family members. In the summer of 2000 I went to Germany with my whole family and it was an unforgettable experience.  Overall, my parents worked hard to give me the best and even though I’m not rich, I’ve lived a happy life. My parents always have strived to see us happy and they always save money just so we can travel every summer vacation.

I studied in Conway Elementary school up to fourth grade. My parents only spoke Spanish to me therefore, I spoke Spanish at home and English at school. After living for almost eight years in Orlando, Florida, we moved back to Puerto Rico in 2002. I went to a small school called Carmelo Figueroa to take fifth and sixth grade. It was a huge impact on my life because the school system was so different, as were the teachers (also my classmates were wild). Afterwards, I went to the intermediate school Espino Km. 12. I continued my high school studies in Maria Cruz Buitrago. In all the schools I studied, I graduated with honors and I went to the Dominican Republic with my senior class in 2010 (it was great).

Thereafter, I was accepted to the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. It was a big change and I wasn’t completely sure of what I wanted to study. I first wanted to be a Social Worker (I wanted to help people out), but then I realized it wasn’t my thing. In my second year at the University I realized that I wanted to become an English teacher. I loved my school in the states and I think that’s what made me want to pursue my teaching career. I want to be as fun and creative as those teachers were with me, here in Puerto Rico. I want students here to have the best and I could do everything I like which is reading and writing stories, performing (I like pretending), helping out students, dancing/singing (even though I have two left feet and can’t sing), and having fun. Even though it is challenging, I love this profession because I can do things I love while helping others out and transforming our society.

Right now, I’m in my practice teaching (yes finally finishing my BA!) and I know I worry a lot but it's because I want to do my best. Currently, I have three nephews and one niece which I adore. I have a boyfriend and we’ve been together for almost five years now. It’s in the plans to get married around 2017 (depending on our economic status). But for now, I would like to continue my masters and doctorate degree and have a family. Some other aspirations I have is to travel the world, (meet different cultures and people) and give the best education I can to students in Puerto Rico. I have many goals yet to achieve and it’s all a work in progress. I am thankful for all I've had and for discovering my vocation to teach.