It’s the end of the school year, I can’t believe it. I remember seven years ago when I first sent my oldest daughter to the nearest district school and for my own convenience because i didn’t have to drive or walk very far. I had no idea that the school was not doing very well academically. I did not know the importance of choice and how we, as parents, could decide which school our children attended. I had no idea that I could send my daughter to a school of my choice especially because this school in Eastside San Jose was doing very poorly. I thought that this school was going to continue what the preschool had already started with my daughter, it seemed like she was learning and growing academically.
I was not aware that this school did not provide high quality education, where my oldest daughter could learn and have motivation to continue learning. I failed my daughter and once I noticed she was not learning and growing, I knew that I had to start looking for other options for her to learn, no matter what was necessary.
I was lucky enough to have found an amazing public school during one of my visits to my local library. Rocketship Discovery Prep was my choice, where she found the necessary tools, teachers, principals who helped her a lot, not only my oldest daughter but my younger child too. The experience for my daughters was very incredible mostly because of their teachers who gave so much of their effort throughout the years, and they supported both of my daughters and encouraged them to keep growing. The most important thing for me and for my daughters was the love they received from all the teachers and their passion to teach.
My oldest daughter was very shy, she was always very embarrassed and did not talk much, but the confidence that she had in school with her teachers taught her that sometimes being shy or being quiet was not very helpful but over time she gained more confidence in herself. They taught her that it is okay to speak up and raise your hand in class when you have doubts.
I would like to say thank you to all the teachers who once were a part of both of my daughters’ lives. You made an impact that we will never forget.
Mr. Huizar, Mr. Medrano, Ms. Alvarez, Ms. Womack, Ms.Sullivan, Ms. Snyder, Ms. De Dios, Ms. Davis, Ms. Prado, Ms. Ericka, Coach D, Ms. Lindsay, and Ms. Marcus.
THANK YOU, to you and everyone else who was a part of my daughters’ journey during the last seven wonderful years.
It was worth driving those four extra miles to go to an elementary school further from my home. I would do this again if it was necessary to make sure that my daughters continue to receive the education that they need and deserve. I will go far if is necessary to make sure that my daughters attend a high quality school where they are motivated and learn and encouraged to go to college.
Eva Heredia
She began her leadership at Rocketship Discovery Prep over four years ago. She learned that there was so much more that she could do as a parent beyond volunteering in her children’s classroom. Eva became fully aware of the political involvement a parent must act on.
She has the experience and extensive knowledge about public officials, school board members, and school administrators who play an important role in public education in East Side San Jose. She supported the opening of Kipp Navigate at a State level, by advocating for quality schools alongside other parents in 2018. She then became a founding parent at Kipp Navigate. Besides being a champion for high-quality education and choice, she also helped build the Wooster Neighborhood Association in her community. She is the voice for her children, students, and her community. She is a huge supporter of parent engagement, choice, and access to higher education. In addition, Eva also attended an Adult High School and graduated from Independence High School in 2019.