Gloria Villegas: From an ESL Student to an ESL Teacher

I am Gloria Villegas. I came to the United States in 1980. I am from Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. I immigrated to this country because most of my extended family had already lived here. For many years, my family had been trying to bring us to this country. My grandfather and uncles on my mother’s side used to come and work here, but they never stayed. It was my father’s side of the family that stayed and wanted us to come. My father used to come to this country and work since he was very young. He never wanted to settle in here, so almost all my sisters and brothers were born in Mexico. Only two were born here. One day my father lost his job and went back to Mexico. Then, he decided to come to this country legally. It took ten long years to come as a family and to reunite with my two sisters who had been waiting for us here. By then, I had already turned eighteen years old.

When I moved to the United States, I was in tenth grade in Mexico. My parents decided that I was too old to continue high school here and that I needed to help them support a family of ten. I learned to drive, started working as a machine operator, and worked for three years. Later, I worked for another company in San Marcos inspecting sports clothes. It was in the first company that I was informed that there was a college where I could learn English. And it was in 1982 that I started attending the non-credit ESL classes at Palomar College. At that time the classes were at the corner of Rancho Santa Fe and Mission Road in San Marcos. It was very challenging for me to keep on going because there were many needs in my family. Every day, early in the morning and late in the afternoon, I had to transport my father and sometimes my brothers back and forth between fields and a ranch. I did this for many years until everybody adapted to this country. I kept working full time until all my brothers and sisters completed high school. Then, it was my turn to become a full-time student and to complete my advanced ESL classes, and so I did that.

In Mexico, I always wanted to study. However, I was poor and I was a woman. These characteristics always worked against me. When I came to this country, I didn’t think that it would be possible for me to get an education. Again, I was a woman, poor, not young, unable to speak English, and not well-informed. By then, however, I had learned that persistence was another one of my characteristics. I kept taking all the ESL classes, and then the non-credit program moved to the main campus. This was an advantage to all the students, especially to me because I became more informed about the different opportunities that were available for students who completed the advanced ESL courses. When I finished ESL, I decide to take regular classes. It was difficult at the beginning and very discouraging at times. However, I found very good teachers, counselors, and fellow students, who in many ways helped me to succeed. I graduated from Palomar College in 1991, transferred to Cal Sate San Marcos, and graduated from there with a teaching degree in1994.

Now, I am working as an ESL teacher at Vista Adult Education and at Palomar College’s Escondido Center, where I teach a non-credit class. This is such a pleasure for me, and it also keeps me motivated all the time because learning a second language is a life-long journey.

Elena Ibarra: A Successful Former ESL Student

Elena Ibarra started out taking our intermediate ESL level 5 and level 6 classes back when those classes were still noncredit in our dept. She then progressed to our credit Academic ESL Program, completing both ESL 102 and ESL 103. Trying to get more English exposure and to learn to communicate faster, Elena also took dancing and swimming classes.

In 2001, Elena graduated from Cal State University San Marcos with a BA in visual and performing arts.

Currently, Elena works full time as an Information Services Network Assistant for the Palomar Community College District. In this position, she has had the opportunity to assist Network Specialists in the day-to-day operations of the enterprise data communications network and devices; to perform a variety of technical tasks servicing faculty, staff, students, and vendors in the entire district, such as installation and troubleshooting of networked devices, peripheral equipment and software applications; to provide technical support; and to respond to requests from district users regarding enterprise operations and procedures.

Elena has previously worked for our dept. as an ESL Computer Lab Technician where she had the chance to work one-on-one with students and instructors.

To continue her academic pursuit, Elena is working to attain an MBA degree. She would love to be able to work with students again.

Elena lives in Temecula, California, with her 13-years-old son, her mom, and her dog Pepper. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, going for rides on a bicycle, and salsa dancing.

ESL Success Stories

As you know, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has requested success stories of ESL students who started out in a noncredit program and have reached their goals. Thanks to the great response to my email to the whole dept., we have so far identified the following students, both former and current, that fit the bill.

1. Marcela Gomez, who started out in non-credit ESL classes, later became our very own, first-ever full-time ESL Student Specialist, and is now getting her master's degree in counseling from USD.
2. Jose Luis Ramirez, who a product of Palomar College and is doing very well as our full-time Non-Credit Matriculation Assistant.
3. Claudia Covarrubias, who started out in our Fallbrook program and is currently working part-time driving a bus for Special ED of the Fallbrook Union School District and taking classes, according to a Program Assistant in Fallbrook.
4. Blanca Carrasco, who is about to enter an MA program in sociology.
5. Jorge Villalobos, who started out as a level-3 student and is now a full-time Program Assistant while pursing a college degree at CSUSM.
6. Juan Gonzalez, who started out in our level 5, became our ESL Student Specialist based in Escondido, and is our newest full-time Program Assistant in San Marcos.
7. Patricia Alvarado, who has been our only full-time Program Assistant in Escondido for a couple of years now.
8. Elena Ibarra, who now works full-time as an Information Services Network Assistant in the IS Dept. at Palomar.
9. Elio Reyes, who, while taking our ESL classes back in mid-1990s, applied to become a US citizen, took the test, passed, and was sworn in as a US Citizen. He finished his ESL classes, opened his own core drilling business, and is now making a very good living.
10. Roberto Martinez, who used to work in our dept. as a student employee and is now teaching math in a high school, according to his sister.
11. Rigoberto Reyes, who also used to work for us as a student employee.
12. Judith Marquez, who started out in our Academic ESL Program and is now working in the Foreign Languages Dept.'s Lab.
13. Martin Castaneda, who used to work part-time as our lab assistant for quite some time.
14. Leticia Feria, who finished the VESL Cosmetology Program and entered cosmetology school right away. After successfully passing her licensing exam on the first try, she started working at a shop in Escondido. Two years later, she bought the shop. She later hired one of our other VESL Cosmetology students, Rosa Navarro, who worked in Leticia’s shop for quite a while.
15. Guzman Acevedo, who started out as a non-credit student, progressed on to take VESL, and has been taking Academic ESL for the past three semesters. He is so self-motivated and motivating to other ESL students because unlike them, he is not only learning a new language, but he is also dealing with getting in and out of his wheelchair. He also owns a TV/VCR repair business in the area, according to one of his former teachers.
16. Miriam Synder, who is now one of our INEA teachers in Ramona.
17. Laura Ruiz, who is another one of our INEA teachers in Escondido.

Success stories of these and other students will be used in an advertising campaign by the Chancellor's Office to help educate the legislature and the public on the benefits of basic skills instruction including ESL. The power of such stories, emphasizing the need for special programs like ours to help guide immigrant students through the maze and encourage them to achieve their academic goals, is without equal.

Thus, if you have such students who are willing to share their stories, please send their names and stories to Anne Stadler by Friday, 3/21. If each one-page bio could come with a photo of the student, it would be just fantastic.

Thanks for any help you can lend this "success project."

Amazing Students

On Friday, our dept. selected five finalists to submit for the Foundation to process as this year's ESL Resident Scholarship recipients. In all, 11 colleagues recommended 14 amazing students to be considered for the special award. Here is what the teachers wrote about the five winners:

From Katrina Tamura, NESL 303 teacher:
I nominate Zoila Amador for the ESL Resident Scholarship. Zoila is an outstanding student who never misses a day or an assignment. She is a leader in the classroom and acts as a mentor to her classmates in need. Although she maintains a busy work schedule, she attends Palomar College ESL classes 6 days a week (General ESL, Computers, and Citizenship). She is a competent self-advocate and a truly self-made success in life. (Additional note by the teacher: Although the following bio refers to her residency status, I did not solicit that information. I got this information from her response to class discussion questions: What obstacles have you faced? How did you over come them?)

When Zoila was a child, she dreamed of becoming a dressmaker or a nurse. However, her parents didn’t believe in educating women. Zoila says that she was sent to live with her uncle when she was 2 years old. She returned to her parents’ home only to serve as the household servant. Her uncle died in 1979 and she was left with nobody to call family. This same year, she met her future husband. They eloped in 1980. Zoila was then 17 years old. She and her husband decided to come to the United States. They were met with many unexpected challenges and obstacles. They were forced to live in the hills without shelter and suffered thirst and hunger for the first few months they were here. They didn’t speak English either, but Zoila and her husband were determined to work, live, and have a family in the United States.

By 1983, Zoila was the adoring mother of two. She now faced the challenge of working and taking care of her two young children at the same time. Saving money for her family’s future was a great motivator for Zoila. She says that this was difficult, but not impossible.

In 1987, Zoila and her husband received their green cards. She then learned how to drive a car and got her drivers license. Next, Zoila and her husband bought their house. For many years, Zoila continued to work hard to build solid foundation for her family. This, Zoila says, is why she never went to school.

Now, Zoila’s children are grown up and self-sufficient. She is ready to pursue the education that, as a child, she was told she could never have. She now has time for school and has set new goals for herself. She wants to learn English grammar and how to use the computer. She would like to explore a career in nursing. In addition, she wants to become a citizen of this country. Zoila has faced many challenges and has reached every goal she has made for herself. I have no doubt that she will be a role model for other students at Palomar as she pursues her new goal of receiving an education.

From John Mullens, ESL 35 teacher:
It is my opinion that Abigail Avila is an excellent choice for a resident scholarship. She is one of my best students, if not the best. She has yet to miss class, and she’s a model student in class. Ms. Avila is a very enthusiastic student who is always willing to participate in class and offer support to her fellow classmates. She has a desire to get a B.A. in the future; therefore, this scholarship would help her to achieve that purpose, as well as encourage her in whatever future endeavors she may pursue.

Also from Tracy Fung, ESL 20 and ESL 34 teacher:
I would like to nominate Abigail Avila for the ESL Resident Scholarship. Last semester Abigail successfully completed my ESL 34 class, and this semester she is taking my ESL 20 class and proving again to be one of the top students. Abigail is never absent and always an energetic, enthusiastic addition to my classes. She can always be counted on to participate, as well as to put extra effort into completing assignments. Her grades are consistently high, and she is a dedicated, hard-working student. She is one of the few night students who takes more than one class per semester, and she currently studies for 4 hours two nights a week and 2.5 hours the other two nights a week. This does not detract from her commitment to each of her classes, however. Abigail is a model student and worthy of receiving a scholarship to recognize her hard work.

From Joanna Murphy, NESL 301 teacher:
I would like to nominate Omar Bello for the ESL Resident Scholarship. Omar was an accounting student at a university in Mexico. He worked as an accountant in Mexico but the salary was very low. He came here to earn more money so he can help his family in Mexico. He is in my level one class and is an excellent student. His attendance is very good; his tests grades, high, and he is very helpful to the other students. He finishes his work fast and then tries to help his classmates. His aspirations are to perfect himself here - in English and in accounting so he can work professionally. I think he would be a deserving recipient of the scholarship.

From Elena Lattarulo, ESL 36 teacher:
I would like to recommend Pablo Lorenzo for the ESL scholarship. Pablo is a quiet but hard-working student. In spite of his shyness, he is a pleasure to have in class as he frequently volunteers to answer the most difficult questions. He is patient with other students and goes above and beyond the call in order to stay after class to lend a helping hand. Pablo consistently receives the highest scores on quizzes and tests. His attendance is outstanding and in spite of a heavy work schedule never misses a beat.

From Marianne Uribe, NESL 300 teacher:
For my computer class, I nominate Saturnino Alonso Reyes. He is an excellent, hardworking, and very deserving student. He comes to class consistently and is motivated to do well in class. He takes every effort to do his best, helps others while in class, and serves as a role model to other students.

Listed below are the other 9 nominees and their teachers:

• Mareli Cruz, recommended by Marianne Uribe, NESL 300 teacher
• Daniella Jordan, recommended by John Mullens, ESL 35 teacher
• Miguel Ramirez, recommended by Jan Lenhert, NESL 303 teacher
• Alejandro Sanchez, recommended by Terri McMurtry, NESL 302 teacher
• Omar Santos, recommended by Elena Lattarulo, ESL 36 teacher
• Maria del Carmen Sosa, recommended by Elizabeth Lohr, NESL 303 teacher
• Laura Valdez, recommended by Terri McMurtry, NESL 302 teacher
• Ileana Valencia, recommended by Susana Davis, NESL 301 teacher
• Maria Venegas, recommended by Heather Weldele, NESL 302 teacher.

Please congratulate our finalists as well as all the nominees. These are all role models we need in our classes. It is my hope that their examples will continue to shine. In the coming weeks, we will most likely showcase some of their stories on our dept. web site.

My heartfelt appreciation also goes to all the colleagues who have taken the time to identify their best students and write the bios and recommendations. I hope with your continued nurturing and encouragement, your finalist will not let us down, your nominees will realize that it's already a great honor to be recommended, and your other students will learn from your best student and work together to have a successful semester.

Dowell Myers' Latest View of the Future

Professor Dowell Myers of the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California is a respected scholar with visions for our future. Last week, at the ACCE (Association of Community and Continuing Education) statewide annual conference in Palm Springs, he gave a dynamic presentation on the same topic as addressed in his new book Immigrants and Boomers: Forging a New Social Contract for the Future of America.

Dr. Myers offers outstanding information about the retirement of Boomers and the need for educated immigrants, among others. Check out his PowerPoint here.