About Me

Hello, my name is Melanie Hasty. I was born in East County San Diego and grew up in a little town called Crest. In middle school my family moved to North County San Diego, Valley Center. As an elementary student I was diagnosed with dyslexia. This diagnosis made every subject challenging. I worked with a specialist to improve my reading, writing and mathematics skills for a while. Then, after the move, I struggled on my own with my studies. This was when I found mathematics to be my default subject. Mathematics did not require long term comprehension; this was an added challenge when trying to read through material for any subject. Mathematics also did not require precise letter articulation; also a challenge with many subjects. I graduated from Valley Center High School in North County San Diego knowing I wanted to study mathematics in college. I then, was a student at California State University San Marcos(CSUSM) for the first half of my undergraduate courses. At CSUSM I focused on developing an interdisciplinary perspective of a well-rounded education. For the second half on my major courses I was a student at Azusa Pacific University(APU). APU was where I studied the bulk of my major courses. I was challanged as a Math major, but thankful for the opportunity to develop my mathematical understandings. I am not and never was intimidated by my dyslexia, I am thankful for the direction it took me. Now, with the passion I have for mathematics, I plan to teach secondary level mathematics. I want to find the students who struggle with learning and find their niche, so they can develop further into who they want to become.

     I mainly grew up with my father. My father was 42 years old when my mother gave birth to me. He was always much older than the parents of my peers. He grew up in a generation where computers were uncommon. He was a full time carpenter. As a carpenter, he hardly needed to use technology. For these reasons and the fact that he was stuck in his ways, my father rarely integrated technology into the home. I was mainly introduced to technology through my peers and schooling. These opportunities were scarce. Now, as a college student living outside of my father's home, I am able to access technology at my desire. I however, still do not have many opportunities to interact with technology. In studying mathematics as an undergraduate, I was given a few assignments that demanded me to work with technology. However, I was not guided and supported as I might have liked. Such experiences have not scared me. I love to problem solve. I am okay with not feeling comfortable with a situation or tool. I look forward to working with technology when and wherever I can. I know technology is the future of education.

     When I applied to CSUSM as a freshman, I was innocent and naive. I was not familiar with the level of diversity, nor the open communication about equal education or social justice. I was challenged in who I was and what I believed. Now, as I applied to the credential program as a college graduate, I am well aware of these dynamics. These dynamics were derived as the desire of CSUSM and are clearly identified in the School of Education's Mission Statement. I chose to apply to CSUSM's School of Education in hopes to develop the necessary dynamics of a professional educator. CSUSM has invested into their students and I, as a credential student, desire to embody the results of their scarifies. I too am invested in community development, professional proficiency, and plan to participate in planning and decision making along side the faculty, staff and administration.