Daniel Bragg

Student

“I want to do something for people. And I enjoy history so much that teaching it is just the best way to share it with others.”

Daniel Bragg was pretty frank about how he felt that teachers are undervalued in society. “I just don’t like it,” he says. “Look at the kind of emphasis put on education in this country, and look at where all those tax dollars go. And then take a look at other countries—you’ll see that education’s a much higher priority.” Teaching might not be America’s number one priority, but it’s definitely Daniel’s.

“Once, I heard that success is just the art of being happy,” says Daniel. “I may not have all the material success in the world as a teacher, but if I can help other people discover their potential, that will be good enough for me.” Daniel says that “being empathetic with students will—I hope—make me good at my job.” And there is one group of students that he feels he’ll be able to relate to particularly well. “I was born with an eye condition that I’ve had to deal with my whole life. I’m technically legally blind, so I have to have large-print books and other special help,” he says. “And the SMC’s Center for Students with Disabilities has been great for me. The people there are just so determined to do anything they can to help you out. They cut through the red tape and got me on computers, and they arranged for special proctoring on my tests. I do get frustrated once in a while,” admits Daniel, “but it’s less so when you have people to help me out.”

He was applying to UCLA and UC Riverside and reported great confidence in his chances. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Oscar Galindo at the Transfer Center,” says Daniel. “He guided me to all the right classes for transfer, so I’m going to be in good shape. But he’s more than a counselor. He’s also the first guy you want to think of whenever you have a problem.” 

Back