Augustin’s story is an inspirational one. He is from Mexico and has attended our school for the past two years. He has been working at Viognier, the restaurant above Draeger’s in San Mateo for the past 9 years as a cook, specializing in signature sauces, gourmet pizza, and designing plate presentations for photo shoots. Recently, he interviewed with Google for a position as a sous chef in San Francisco. In the last few years, his English has improved greatly, he says, due to his English as a Second Language classes with Shirley McMahon, Elizabeth Yale, and Distance Learning (DVDs and learning packets) with Carolyn Pannu.
As a result of his English competency, not only his career has advanced, but also his influence is felt in helping his family members and his community. His sister is a struggling single mom and he helps her by attending the Parent Conferences for his nephew, 15, a San Mateo High School student and his niece, 5, who attends College Park Elementary School. Sometimes he attends these conferences alone; other times, he accompanies his sister and translates for her.
Augustin is well-known at our school for his outgoing ways and friendliness. Too, his Auntie, Maria Luisa, has always been happy to prepare tamales, a most popular item, for International Days as well as the Annual School Flea Market.
Augustin says, “Thanks to my progress in English, I feel comfortable in my career and to assist my family members in the San Mateo community as well as offer my volunteer services at Friends of the Urban Forests in San Francisco whose group plants trees throughout the city to make the neighborhoods more beautiful.”
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Friday, March 13, 2009
A Student with a Goal!
Luis Aguilar has been a student of mine at both the Workers' Resource Center and The Adult School. In the short time that I have been a teacher here, I have watched this young man change from a person with little direction, into a person who knows exactly what he wants in life. Because of the ESL program, Luis has realized that getting an education is the only way he will obtain the kind of success he desires. Once Luis completes the ESL program, he has decided that he will continue his education by entering the GED program at this school. This is a student who is going somewhere, and I believe that within a few years Luis will be a true success story of The Adult School!!
- Written by Alesha Dentoni
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- Written by Alesha Dentoni
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
English for the Future
Abner Ramirez came to the San Mateo Adult School to learn the English he needs for his restaurant management training program. He is working his way up to assistant manager from his current job as cook. Ramirez says his English classes have improved his restaurant vocabulary and help him assist his manager in doing inventory. He also uses the English he has learned to help restaurant workers serve customers better. His communication skills help keep the kitchen running smoothly and reduce the time it takes to serve up orders. Ramirez also uses his English to communicate with customers. The restaurant where he works has an open kitchen, and customers ask him questions about the food.
Ramirez says he needs to continue improving his English so he can interview prospective employees when he becomes assistant manager. "Studying English opens many doors, " Ramirez says. "It's important to study English for a better future."
Click here to read the full post
Ramirez says he needs to continue improving his English so he can interview prospective employees when he becomes assistant manager. "Studying English opens many doors, " Ramirez says. "It's important to study English for a better future."
Click here to read the full post
OPEN COMPUTER LAB: Another Success Story!
ESL and GED student Miriam Vasquez recently came to the OPEN COMPUTER LAB for help finding work. Working with Teacher Martin, Miriam posted her own advertisement (free) on the Internet to start her own business as a personal companion. Miriam also worked with Teacher Martin to create an impressive resume. A few days later, Miriam got a phone call. Now she is working as a personal companion for an elderly lady. Congratulations, Miriam!
OPEN COMPUTER LAB: Monday - Thursday, 4:20 - 6:20
Individual instruction in basic computer skills
E-mail, Internet, MS Office applications.
Job search assistance
Resume preparation and editing
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OPEN COMPUTER LAB: Monday - Thursday, 4:20 - 6:20
Individual instruction in basic computer skills
E-mail, Internet, MS Office applications.
Job search assistance
Resume preparation and editing
Click here to read the full post
Finding a Job in a Difficult Economy
ESL student Alberto Roman was frustrated with his job search. Previously, he had worked as a chimney repairman. He looked for a job in his area of expertise, but he couldn't find anything. Alberto was even thinking about leaving the Bay Area because he could not find work. Then, he decided to go to the OPEN COMPUTER LAB for help. Working with Teacher Martin, Alberto set up his own email account. Next, with the teacher's help, Alberto made a resume. He also searched on the Internet for Bay Area companies that do chimeny work. On Wednesday (March 11), Alberto got a phone call from one of the companies he had contacted. He started his new job on Thursday, March 11!
Congratulations, Alberto!
The OPEN COMPUTER LAB is available for ESL students Monday through Thursday from 4:20 to 6:20 pm. Teacher Martin is available to assist students with their job search and other help on the computer.
Click here to read the full post
Congratulations, Alberto!
The OPEN COMPUTER LAB is available for ESL students Monday through Thursday from 4:20 to 6:20 pm. Teacher Martin is available to assist students with their job search and other help on the computer.
Click here to read the full post
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Whole Story
Pat Bradley, a student in the Memoirs Class (part of the Fifty Plus Program), writes the following about her experience in the class:
My first story in the Memoirs class is dated 1999. I joined the class because I had spent several years in the Genealogy class researching my family history. I decided I should write my history for my family.
This class has been an amazing experience for me as well as for those who also attend. I have been achieving my goal of writing my life story for my children and grandchildren. However, over the time I have been in the class, I have also greatly improved my writing skills to the point where I have successfully written a couple of short fictional stories. I have also improved my earlier attempts at writing.
That is not the whole story.
This is a group of people who have had amazing life experiences, from tales of World War II, to internment in concentration camps, to living in camps for the Japanese in this country. We have heard stories of eccentric families, vacations and adventures in other countries, philosophy on the art of living, love, loss, and personal achievement. Our childhoods have varied a great deal and we have learned much about growing up in different parts of this country and different parts of the world. We have written about awareness of racial discrimination and gender discrimination and political awareness.
We have received great guidance from our teachers, leading us to think of various aspects of our lives, suggesting subjects, and bringing examples of other writing to inspire us. We have laughed, we have cried, and we have learned a great deal about one another. Because of this, we are family. No one misses this class if at all possible. We support one another when illness befalls us, we cheer on those who go off to the Amazon or want to climb the mountains in Nepal. And the stories return to us. All of our lives have been greatly enriched by this class and the relationships we have found here.
People in other places where I travel are envious of the opportunity I have to attend a class like this and to produce these stories for my family. They are hesitant to try it on their own. There would be an empty space in my life if this were to end.
I realize these are difficult times but I urge you to appreciate the value of this class for the Seniors who attend and the value of these histories for the families who will benefit from receiving them.
Sincerely,
Pat Bradley
Click here to read the full post
My first story in the Memoirs class is dated 1999. I joined the class because I had spent several years in the Genealogy class researching my family history. I decided I should write my history for my family.
This class has been an amazing experience for me as well as for those who also attend. I have been achieving my goal of writing my life story for my children and grandchildren. However, over the time I have been in the class, I have also greatly improved my writing skills to the point where I have successfully written a couple of short fictional stories. I have also improved my earlier attempts at writing.
That is not the whole story.
This is a group of people who have had amazing life experiences, from tales of World War II, to internment in concentration camps, to living in camps for the Japanese in this country. We have heard stories of eccentric families, vacations and adventures in other countries, philosophy on the art of living, love, loss, and personal achievement. Our childhoods have varied a great deal and we have learned much about growing up in different parts of this country and different parts of the world. We have written about awareness of racial discrimination and gender discrimination and political awareness.
We have received great guidance from our teachers, leading us to think of various aspects of our lives, suggesting subjects, and bringing examples of other writing to inspire us. We have laughed, we have cried, and we have learned a great deal about one another. Because of this, we are family. No one misses this class if at all possible. We support one another when illness befalls us, we cheer on those who go off to the Amazon or want to climb the mountains in Nepal. And the stories return to us. All of our lives have been greatly enriched by this class and the relationships we have found here.
People in other places where I travel are envious of the opportunity I have to attend a class like this and to produce these stories for my family. They are hesitant to try it on their own. There would be an empty space in my life if this were to end.
I realize these are difficult times but I urge you to appreciate the value of this class for the Seniors who attend and the value of these histories for the families who will benefit from receiving them.
Sincerely,
Pat Bradley
Click here to read the full post
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
History Made Real
"Grammy, did that really happen?" her awed grandson asked her. He was watching the movie, "Pearl Harbor" and found the events hard to believe.
"Yes, dear, it really did happen," Billie replied, recalling the events of years ago.
The interchange prompted Billie to write her memory of those events for the book her Memoirs class was composing.
In 2005 members of the class wrote their stories and memories of World War II, which they then assembled into a book.
Many of the students gave copies of the book to their children and grandchildren and many of those grandchildren shared their books with classmates or used the stories for schoolwork.
"I had stuff no one else had!" another of Billie's grandson's happily informed her. He used some of the information from the World War II book for his US history class assignments.
History - not just the recitation of facts but the recollections of living, breathing people - made real for future generations, through the work of Fifty Plus students like Billie.
Click here to read the full post
"Yes, dear, it really did happen," Billie replied, recalling the events of years ago.
The interchange prompted Billie to write her memory of those events for the book her Memoirs class was composing.
In 2005 members of the class wrote their stories and memories of World War II, which they then assembled into a book.
Many of the students gave copies of the book to their children and grandchildren and many of those grandchildren shared their books with classmates or used the stories for schoolwork.
"I had stuff no one else had!" another of Billie's grandson's happily informed her. He used some of the information from the World War II book for his US history class assignments.
History - not just the recitation of facts but the recollections of living, breathing people - made real for future generations, through the work of Fifty Plus students like Billie.
Click here to read the full post
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