Knowing her strengths, she set off to first teach and then to learn
Tyler Barreto '08 Before Tyler left Grinnell, she wrote a thank you to her fellow Grinnell alumni: "I was the secretary of the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL). I learned about an array of different cultures, especially the many cultures represented at Grinnell. My role as the SOL secretary taught me important life skills like the ability to stay organized and to take a leadership role.
"Thank you for showing me the way."
- Tyler Barreto ’08
Tyler took advantage of a wide range of opportunities. She studied Biological Chemistry, worked all four years, and made almost daily use of the fitness center. Wanting to do something after graduation and before pursuing medical school, she taught middle school science in Honduras. She enjoyed her host family, personally experienced dengue fever, cheered at soccer games, and touched the lives of many young scientists.
The sphere of Grinnell's influence grew exponentially because she took experiences as cofounder of Grinnellians for Global Health, lab assistant for inorganic chemistry, mentor for inorganic chemistry, tutor in the science learning center, and the pedagogic practices of Grinnell to her students. Her impact? We may never know. But one of her students may follow in her footsteps to study science and medicine, knowing they could do it because they met Tyler who didn't know she couldn't.
Studying medicine in Puerto Rico, she feels extremely well prepared to think critically and so finds herself often as a leader with her fellow students.
