Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TheStoryOfEmma #CollectiveBias
I’ve told the story of my mother and my grandparents coming from Mexico, before but I’ve never told the story of what it was like for me. I was born in the United States and am a super proud Mexican-American, having been raised by someone who didn’t know the language and was new to this country had it challenges. Before I go into my story and how I became the person I am today, I want to share with you a special cause: The Story of Emma. Thanks to #CollectiveBias for bringing this cause to the fore front I’m very proud to be a part of the #TheStoryOfEmma campaign. I get to share my story of growing up and express my thoughts on the importance of early education. I was lucky to have learned so much from a local day care and I know that changed my life for the better.
First I ask that you watch this three-minute movie trailer that depicts the story of a successful young woman who got the educational boost she needed from Mi Escuelita. Continue reading to learn more about Mi Escuelita!
How do you feel after watching the video? To be completely honest, I cried. With each generation our stories change but for the first generation Mexican-American, I have to say it’s the hardest in my opinion.
I was raised speaking Spanish as my first language, I was the typical ESL child, English as a second language. Both of my parents worked full time so when we lived with my grandparents my older sister and I stayed with my grandmother. She kept us until she went back to work and my older sister started school and I was taken to day care. That daycare changed my life. I learned to speak English there so when I started school I was prepared. I cried much like Ezra cries now when I drop him off for pre-school, along with needing the childcare I know my parents knew this would be the best for me. My older sister had issues her first year of school due to not speaking English, so they decided to give me a little extra help by attending an all day English speaking day care. Let’s be honest, they could have put me in the care of another non-English speaking friend, but they didn’t. I think they knew this would be beneficial for me and my future.
I was in daycare until I started Kindergarten and I just continued to thrive. My English got better and I never had any issues in school. I think I got to the point where we spoke nothing but English at home, my youngest sister grew up speaking more English. She was even more prepared for school and that was a good thing. We all did well in school, my older sister participated in Academic Decathlon, I participated in Debate and my youngest sister was active with Yearbook and social clubs. My two sisters and I, we graduated from high school. My oldest sister is a Dental Assistant and my youngest sister will graduate with her Bachelors this spring. While I did attend college, I didn’t finish. I think I will go back eventually. I know that I have done well for myself, there are so many other turns I could have taken but I know that the base I received at the day care helped me. And it’s made me the person I am today.
I will continue to pursue my goals all in hope to provide the best chances for my boys, so they too will be successful and live the American dream like my grandparents hoped when they immigrated. God willing one day we will all be college graduates in our home. I’m very proud of my husband, he graduated with a double major and with honors from Stephen F. Austin State University, after we got married. We always talk to our oldest about when he goes to college and when E gets older he too will get encouraged to go to college. It’s all about helping the next generation of Mexican-Americans prosper in this wonderful nation!
What exactly is Mi Escuelita?
“Mi Escuelita Preschool Inc. teaches English to children from all cultures and prepares them for academic success. A 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with five locations in Dallas, Texas, Mi Escuelita provides a unique service to low-income families with children considered to be “at- risk.” While remaining strongly dedicated to the preservation of each child’s cultural heritage, Mi Escuelita’s primary focus is to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment where non- English speaking children of preschool age are taught the English language, pre-reading, literacy, and social skills necessary to have a successful experience in both school and life. Visit http://miescuelita.org/” What an amazing cause right?! Helping the children to live the best life possible here in the United States by providing an amazing service. The thing I love most about the program is the fact that not only are they teaching the children, the families gain so much as well. There isn’t a day that my son doesn’t come home from his school and tells me about what he learns so I know that the children attending Mi Escuelita are doing the same in their homes! Early education is truly the gift that keeps on giving!
Want to learn how you can help:
Join us for #TheStoryOfEmma #LATISM Twitter Party on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 9:00pm. @LATISM and @ColectivaLatina will be joining forces to support of the Mi Escuelita campaign and create awareness about #TheStoryOfEmma. 5 prizes of $50 gift card + $50 donation to Mi Escuelita in winner’s name will be awarded during the twitter party. RSVP Coming Soon!
