Rosemary Gutierrez

Rosemary Gutierrez is so qualified to be an elementary school teacher that she was hired on the spot during her first job interview.  This MiraCosta College graduate and stand-out student started teaching her own third grade classroom in fall 2006.

Rosemary began attending MiraCosta in fall 2000.  She decided to enroll at the college after taking a look at MiraCosta’s web site and hearing from friends about its successful dance program.

“MiraCosta just kept popping up,” says Rosemary.  “When I saw it, I just loved it.”

While at MiraCosta, Rosemary participated in the Today’s Tutors, Tomorrow’s Teachers (T4) Program, a future teacher professional development program.

“Rosemary has many of the valuable skills necessary for great teachers,” says former T4 director Christine Sylvia.  “She is dependable, adaptable, dedicated, a team player, is empathetic, self-motivated, creative, and confident. “

When it came time to start thinking about transferring to a four-year university, Rosemary was unsure where she wanted to go.  She consulted her instructors and made an appointment with a counselor at the MiraCosta’s University Transfer Center for guidance.     

“The people here are willing to go the extra mile to make sure you succeed,” explains Rosemary.  “They told me to aim as high as I could.  They made sure I could make it to the school that I really wanted to go.”                           

After two years at MiraCosta, Rosemary graduated with an A.A. in dance.  She then attended UC Riverside, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  She then transferred to Cal State San Marcos where she graduated in spring 2006 with a teaching credential.  Even with all of her current successes, Rosemary still feels grateful to the faculty and staff at MiraCosta who helped her to define her goals and to achieve them.

“If I could have gotten my B.A. here I would have. If I could teach here I would,” says Rosemary.  “I just love MiraCosta!”