Every student deserves to be seen — not just accommodated but truly supported.
That belief guides my work as a math professor at MiraCosta College, and it’s at the heart of Celebrate Diversity Month, recognized every April.
Math is often seen as a difficult subject — even more so for students who learn differently. But I’ve come to realize that with the right support, every student can grow their confidence and succeed. That perspective comes from my journey as a newcomer to this country and continues today as I strive to support students of all abilities in reaching their potential.
I first experienced what it meant to feel different when I first moved to the U.S. from Tijuana in my junior year of high school. My parents valued education, and I’d always been a good student, on track for college. But after the move, I struggled with my classes — not because they were too difficult. Although I knew how to read and write to some extent, I was still considered an English learner and placed in “sheltered classes.”
I was a dedicated student, used to rigorous coursework, but in these special classes, it felt like little was expected of us. Some of us seemed placed there just to satisfy a requirement. That experience stuck with me.
Later, as a student at MiraCosta, I became a tutor to support fellow English learners and discovered my passion for tutoring math. I’m not a very extroverted person, but when I’m talking to students about math, that’s when I feel most comfortable communicating.
These early life experiences broadened my perspective, opening my eyes to the importance of specialized education and the limitations some students face. They also shaped my future, as my pursuit of a medical degree evolved into an aspiration to teach the next generation.
Everyone learns differently, and students with accommodations are no different. I’ve never underestimated them or expected less. Instead, I try to get to know them and learn what I can do to help them succeed.
I work closely with MiraCosta’s Student Accessibility Services to support and empower my students. I check in often with them and their tutors and constantly adapt my teaching strategies to meet each student’s needs.
Instead of using a traditional whiteboard, for example, I now use an iPad during lectures to record my screen and voice via Zoom, so I can provide recordings with captions and annotated notes to all my students.
I learned to describe complex graphs and tables in detail to create a mental picture for a student with vision impairment. I also started recording myself reading the exams aloud to reduce the risk of errors caused by a proctor misinterpreting or incorrectly reading the questions to the student.
As the number of students with accommodations grows, I may not be able to check in with each one as often as I’d like, but I’ll still continue to do what I can to create a welcoming environment where they can succeed.
As educators, we must advocate for our students to receive the support they need to find the learning techniques that work for them. It’s not enough to provide accommodations — we must adapt our approach, challenge assumptions and work to remove barriers to their success.
This is a month to celebrate the beauty of unique cultures, backgrounds and perspectives — including the diverse ways we learn and experience the world.
This month and every day, let’s all consider how we can ensure the students in our lives have the support they need to succeed.
Communication is key. Try different approaches. Create a safe space where mistakes are allowed and asking for help is encouraged.
Because when we truly embrace differences, everyone has a chance to succeed — and that benefits all of us in San Diego. We need the talents, ideas and diverse abilities of every student to shape the innovative, inclusive workforce of tomorrow.
Juan Castillejos is a part-time faculty member teaching math at MiraCosta College.
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