David Pena

I was born in Fort Worth, Texas to a single mom who was working as a nurse. As is often the case with single moms, my grandparents were eventually handed the responsibility to raise me and my younger brother And although my grandparents did a wonderful job seeing that my basic needs were met, I always felt like something was missing. As I got older teen angst really set in and I became restless. Feeling that my grandparents were too old to understand what I was going through, I left home early and began “searching”. In 1986, my search led me to El Cajon, CA where I rejoined my mother and continued “searching”. What was I searching for? I can’t say I really knew, but I spent a lot of time doing it. In fact, the rest of the 80’s and 90’s were spent searching and living wild.

I have no doubt that my crazy path would have continued if it were not for divine intervention.  As the new millennium rolled around I found myself at Grossmont Community College enrolling as a Child Development major. It was here that I began to find some clues to what I was looking for.  I graduated with honors from Cuyamaca College in May of 2006 where I received my Associate Degree in Child Development.  In 2008, I graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Child, and Family, Development. Shortly thereafter I began working full time at SDSU’s Children Center as a Master Teacher.

It was while working part time at each college’s respective Child Development centers that I began to feel that my search was nearing a conclusion; not only had I found a place where I where I felt I belonged, but a place where I could do my part to make the world a better place “one child at a time.” One of the most satisfying aspects of working with children was the relationships I began developing with them. The importance of these relationships were further crystalized during my training with The Program for Infant/Toddler Care organization which promotes responsive, caring relationships for infants and toddlers. It is my own personal belief that building solid relationships should be the basis for any kind of teaching especially when working with children. Another idea that I’ve adopted from PITC is the idea of individual care; every child is unique and beautiful in their own way and should be treated as such. Another cornerstone of the PITC philosophy is that of primary care and continuity of care; all teachers are assigned children that they are primarily responsible for and as the children get older and change classes the teachers move with them. I totally feel blessed to work at a center that believes in such a philosophy. At the time of this writing (summer 2012) I have a classroom of wonderful toddlers, many who I’ve been with since they were infants. And although I’m technically the teacher, I feel like I learn as much from them as they from me, maybe even more. I am so impressed with my children that I have started a blog about them entitled “Learning through Teaching”.

I have to say it’s been a long journey to get where I am today, but I couldn’t be any happier; many children have Blessed me by allowing me to be a part of their lives, I’ve met a lot of great families, and I get to work with a lot of wonderful people. And as for my searching?.....I’m happy to say that my search is not over, but at least I know what I’m searching for.

“I always consider myself a work in progress and I am always looking for ways to be not only a better teacher, but person.” — David Aurelio Pena