Not Just a Gateway Mom

Denise Mosqueda has worked with Gateway for over nine years and is currently our Community Engagement/Outreach Coordinator. She interacts daily and directly with community organizations, parents, and our Gateway students. Denise’s daughter attended our dual enrollment high school with much success. And now, a second daughter of Denise’s is joining our student ranks, too. Let’s hear from Denise as to why GCCA has factored so heavily in her life — for the better.

1. What drew you and your daughters to Gateway?

“For my younger daughter, knowing the difference between Gateway and the other alternative schools that are available to us drew her to this school. My daughter needed credit recovery, and a flexible schedule, and was excited for the benefits from the smaller school size and college level courses”.  

“My older daughter was looking for a fresh start, a new set of individuals, The excitement of building new relationships and taking college classes really appealed to her.”

2. What are her child’s most important educational needs?

 “…My daughter is incredibly bright, concerned with many social justice issues and enjoys critical thinking,” says Denise. “But she is more introverted and struggles with anxiety issues. Her most important educational needs are for her to have extra attention and a better chance at connecting 1:1 with her instructors and counselor…so that she may feel more comfortable to share her ideas, reach out or voice when she needs clarification with her work. In the past she procrastinated because she was not comfortable with some of the instructors around her, and failed to turn assignments in a timely manner.”

“My other daughter needed to review some fundamental study skills and concepts in her academics. Having smaller classes was important in order for her to have all of her questions answered by the teacher in a timely and thorough manner.”

3. How will the flexible Gateway schedule(s) impact/augment her learning?

“The flexible schedule allows more empowerment over the day to day schedule in terms of doing the actual work when she is feeling at her best emotionally and physically. Both of my daughters work more at their own pace and value not feeling pressured. The system of block schedule type classes on different days of the week allows/allowed for more focus around each topic of study.”

4. Why did you join the Gateway team as a staffer and what is your role?

“I, without hesitation,  joined the Gateway team due to the small family style feeling of the school. I believe in the mission of the school and very much enjoy building relationships with the youth that come through our doors.”

“Working with Gateway for nine years, I’ve facilitated both student and parent health and life skills workshops. As we have learned more than ever in the recent year, connection is vital to our well being as building relationships is at the core of our humanity.

I am fortunate and blessed to be able to be part of a bigger picture here — a picture that portrays resilience, hope, and tenacity of the human spirit.”

5. What is your favorite aspect of the Gateway College and Career Academy experience for students?

“When asked by family and friends about Gateway, I have often said ‘I wish Gateway was around when I was growing up’. I was a 15-year-old sophomore struggling to recover 80 units of HS credit when I became pregnant with my first child. Once I gave birth to my son and became a Mom, I realized I needed to change the trajectory of my life for us both. I got serious about earning that diploma AND was determined to go beyond by enrolling in college so that we would have a fighting chance at a healthy, thriving and sustainable lifestyle. I vowed to not become a dropout, poverty-ridden statistic. 

I understand the feeling of being seemingly lost, scared, alone, hopeless, and overwhelmed by the dim future that was forecasted to me due to my circumstances, BUT I also know the feeling of an innate driven force within that says, ‘You are meant for MORE!’ I just needed that small handful of people who believed in me, even when I did not. 

My favorite aspect of Gateway is the close-knit experience, wrap around services and individualized attention that is the blanketing culture of the school. I love the way students know who they can turn to for their questions or concerns. They can get everything they need or someone here can/will find what they need, whether it be on campus or in the community as an available and accessible resource. 

Working on many HS campuses in the past it is easy to notice the division between groups of students (clicks if you may). Being on Gateway’s campus has an entirely different feel…most all of the students, though each unique, belong to the same click/tribe/village. Commonalities seem to overshadow differences. The adversities, (no matter what they may be, big or small) are the common thread/strand /binding this wonderful place that is Gateway.”

Thanks Denise! For all the years of dedication, for championing your daughters at GCCA and for helping live our motto and school culture — #youbelonghere 

About Gateway College and Career Academy 

Gateway College & Career Academy is an early college option for students, aged 16-21 years old, to gain college credits while obtaining a high school diploma. Located on the Riverside City College campus, in beautiful downtown Riverside, our tuition-free Riverside County charter school is dedicated to providing learners who are not on track to graduate with the opportunity to complete high school —  and achieve success  — within a supportive college community. Enroll today!