educational roots

Jamila Del Raso received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education Studies from North Park University in 2018. She currently works as a Lead Preschool Teacher at Breakthrough FamilyPlex. She always had a passion for teaching and was influenced by many teachers around her.

Reflecting on her childhood, she realized she had this passion at an early age because “when I was young, I would use my graded papers to pass out to my stuffed animals and teach them while managing my ‘classroom.’  Education was all around me growing up. My mom was an entrepreneur, owning her bus service and company. She would have so many kids on the bus, and I would tag along sometimes. I remember telling the kids what to do and essentially being bossy. My mom knew how to lead, instruct, teach, and discipline challenging behaviors in a way that impacted them later in life. She is memorable to them (they still remember her to this day,)" said Del Raso. 

More teachers in her family continued to influence Jamila as an inspiration for education. “My grandma Minerva White was a music teacher. She taught all of her grandchildren how to play the piano. The gentleness she exhibited softens my heart to this day. She had so much to offer young minds. She was patient, loving, kind, wise, godly, and experienced a lot of hardship. She is a reminder that no matter what, I can keep my cool, whether that’s in the classroom or walking down the street. She was an amazing storyteller as well. Reading me bedtime stories when I spent the night. One of my distinct memories I have is of me sitting at the edge of the bed with her and starting to cry because I didn’t want her to die. She looked at me and asked, “Where is your faith?” That story is forever etched in my memory,” said Del Raso. “My grandfather taught history at a university. When I would have homework regarding history, I would ask my grandfather multiple questions, and he had so much to say about different times in history. My grandfather was wise and knowledgeable about the world around him.” 

As Jamila followed her educational roots in her undergraduate experience, she mentioned the encouraging support system she had. “I had a great support system in college. My mom would take me to NPU from the South Side of Chicago. Also, my dad would pick me up from night classes since he works at NEIU. We would talk, catch up, and bond while he took me home. My church community was also a huge part that made me feel supported during college. My professors were super understanding when my grandmother got sick and died in 2014. They let me have an incomplete in my first semester so I could finish my work and be there with my grandma. I met with a counselor, and they were very accommodating and supportive,” said Del Raso.

Jamila had a strong foundation of support, and she mentioned how Pursue Scholars was a bonus to her support system. “Pursue Scholars was an encouragement to me. When Derick and Kevin would visit me, check on me, and eat with me, it was so nice to see them, catch up, and be around people who were truly in my corner. The care packages were so great, with good snacks. Mentally, it was nice to see familiar and safe faces on campus when Derick and Kevin came,” said Del Raso. 

Also, Jamila appreciated her support system because one obstacle she faced in college was “living at home and traveling to school via train or my mom. Pursue helped encourage me to keep going even though it wasn’t comfortable always traveling from far distances. Grouping me with people who were also trying to be excellent at their university was also helpful,”  said Del Raso. 

As Jamila continues to reinvest in her students, she mentioned being aware first. “I see myself giving back by first making sure I am conscious of my identity. It starts with the way I respond to the kids. If I am on edge, bringing my personal life into the classroom, I won’t be able to give as God calls me to or on a professional level. After I continue to be strengthened, softened, and molded into who God wants me to be, I can be what the kiddos need me to be in the classroom. I can re-invest in the future by seeing children's challenging behaviors as them communicating something beyond defiance and not wanting to listen. I can reinvest in the future of education by giving every child the tools they need to be the best they can be. I hope to see the children I teach cope with their emotions, express their feelings and thoughts confidently, and make a difference in the lives of others, knowing their value and worth in Christ. Helping foster a healthy internal voice that doesn’t diminish or devalue themselves or others. The community that I teach needs emotional investment as well as teaching basic life skills and needs. People from infancy to old age should be equipped with emotional support, therapy (even if there aren’t any issues) and the best chance at life,” said Del Raso.