Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1360078
English teacher should know that you can't judge a book by its cover! There is no escaping it; my features are something that will always be a part of me. A close teacher friend once stated that he loves how Armenian students are so proud of their culture. I agreed, but embarrassedly thought to myself that I was not proud to be Japanese American because it kept me from being "equal." is saddened me and made me feel like less of a person due to the discrim- ination I experienced throughout life, but it also was a harsh reality for me. As a teenager in the 1980s, Ronald Reagan was my president. He signed my Physical Fitness Certificate, he contributed to bringing down the Berlin Wall, and he issued redress money to interned Japanese Americans. I do not like to publicize my political views, but I am a Republican. In early 2021 and over the past four years I've been saddened that being a Republican has taken on a dierent cast. Now it's a negative thing to be patriotic, and wav- ing a flag is linked to extreme groups. I was disheartened when the former president referred to COVID-19 as the "Chinese Virus." Once again, I am feeling that "someone like me" does not belong, in this case as a Republican. Thinkin g back to kind ergar t en , I remember learning all the songs about patriotism and the lyrics: is land is your land, this land is my land, this land was made for you and me. I was hopeful then as a young girl entering school, and in the almost 50 years since, I thought we would have made more progress in America. Dina Tsuyuki has been a high school English teacher in Southern California for 27 years. A member of Whittier Secondary Edu- cation Association, she and her husband raised twin daughters who are now in college. "After I landed my first teaching job, the department chair's first remark was, 'That's odd that someone like you is an English teacher.' I had the nerve to reply, 'It is the only language I speak.'" 21 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 21 APPLY TODAY: call 888.758.7946 or visit newcardonline.com Mention Priority Code BAAEXH For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefi ts associated with the use of the credit card, call the toll-free number above or visit www.newcardonline.com and refer to the disclosures accompanying the application. Residents of the US and its territories only. See full disclosure for details. Federal law prohibits students from receiving a premium. Restrictions apply, see amazon.com/gc-legal. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. ©2021 Bank of America Corporation 3466318 CC050421 MB0421-AD-CAEDU THE CTA ® CASH REWARDS VISA SIGNATURE ® CREDIT CARD CASH BACK 3 % in the category of your choice, like Online Shopping Earn 2% and 3% cash back on the fi rst $2,500 in combined grocery store/ wholesale club/choice category purchases each quarter, then earn unlimited 1%. Amazon.com Gift Card Bonus after you make at least $500 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening (students not eligible) on purchases everywhere, every time CASH BACK 1 % UNLIMITED at grocery stores and wholesale clubs CASH BACK 2 % AUTOMATIC Your card. Your rewards. Your way. 1 2 Plus a $ 200