Rosalba Sanchez at Mesa College graduation.
Sanchez, who studied Child Development and utilized DSPS resources, including the WorkAbility III vocational program, now serves as an Instructional Assistant with San Diego College of Continuing Education’s Child Development program. Read on to learn more about her journey and the support she found along the way.
Finding Clarity
Sanchez initially began at Mesa College with a desire to become an elementary school teacher. However, during her third year, stress and burnout led her to reconsider her career path. Encouraged by a counselor to take a gap year, she found clarity.
“While I was resting, I realized there was one class I really enjoyed: Child Development 101 with Professor Louann Gibson.”
This realization reignited her passion, leading her to pursue the program further.
“That was the best decision of my life,” said Sanchez.
While Professor Gibson piqued her interest in the field, it was Professor Marina Monta who nurtured and sustained it.
“She’s amazing,” said Sanchez. “I adore [her] so much. I wanted to become an Instructional Assistant because I wanted to keep working with her.”
A Humongous Relief
Navigating an academic path to an eventual career in Child Development was not without challenges. Diagnosed with anxiety, autism, and ADHD in high school, Sanchez knew she would need immediate support in higher education to manage the potential impact on her learning and social skills. According to Sanchez, discovering DSPS was a “humongous relief.”
“They provide everything involving classrooms and finding jobs,” she said, adding that their support made it “much easier to process things.”
Now, Sanchez celebrates and embraces her disabilities as “a huge part of myself.”
“I didn't let my disabilities stop me from doing the things that I love,” she said. “I made them into a strength.”
When asked to provide an example of this, Sanchez noted how her anxiety about tasks (such as being interviewed for this article) motivates her to dedicate extra time to preparing, which helps her succeed.
“If I do that, I don’t feel nervous!”
Throughout her time at Mesa, several individuals went above and beyond to support and encourage Sanchez. Among them were Jamila DeCarli and Stephanie Baldueza from the WorkAbility III program.
“Jamila and Stephanie were incredibly patient and helpful,” said Sanchez. “Stephanie, in particular, has been with me from the beginning, providing essential information about employment and the support I needed from the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
A Milestone Moment
The academic support Sanchez received on campus was mirrored by unwavering encouragement from her parents at home. Graduating as a first-generation student was not just a personal victory but a profound testament to the sacrifices and hard work of her parents, who moved to the U.S from Mexico.
“All my life, my parents struggled [and] worked hard,” said Sanchez. “They've done everything they could to provide the best for me. When I finally walked that stage to get my diploma, I felt so many accomplishments in just one second.”
Graduating was not just an educational achievement but a symbolic moment of gratitude and fulfillment, proving that her parents' efforts had paid off.
A Strong Bond
Today, Sanchez thrives in her role as an Instructional Assistant, where she supports primary teachers and assists in children's development, which includes providing their guardians with “support that helps them feel at ease.”
Sanchez’s lived experience creates a strong bond with the families she works with, making their journey smoother.
“I have met many families who have never done this kind of thing before,” she said. “I carefully gave them guidance because I'm pretty sure they feel just as nervous as I did. Not only do I feel accomplished, but I’m also helping other people in the program.”
A Full Life
Outside of work, Sanchez enjoys a full life filled with family, friends, and hobbies. She loves going to the movies, watching shows, and spending time with loved ones. A recent highlight was obtaining a library card and starting a book club with her friend. She’s currently reading Stephen King’s “Misery.”
“It’s terrifying, but I’m so intrigued,” she said. “Is the main character going to make it out?!”
(It appears overcoming adversity is a theme that resonates with Sanchez, even in fictional stories).
Continued Success
Sanchez’s real-life story underscores the importance of strong support systems, including dedicated family and educators. In closing, she offered this powerful advice to prospective students:
“Go for it. Do the very best you can, and keep going. If I was able to make it through to that graduation stage, so can you. So can you!”
If you are a SDCCD student with a disability looking for academic and/or vocational support please visit DSPS to learn about the programs we offer!