Pa. teacher pens book about bilingual students living American dream

NORWOOD, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — “About 10 years in the past, I labored with a selected group of English language learners and so they got here from all totally different walks of life,” stated Andrea Bitner. “Adopted youngsters, change college students, youngsters that have been born right here, youngsters which have waited for these visas.”

Bitner, a trainer at Norwood Elementary Faculty, hadn’t supposed on changing into an teacher of the English language. However after being paired with a bunch as a studying specialist, she fell in love with the inhabitants.

She had cultivated a robust group of bilingual college students by instructing them extra than simply language. She additionally helped them apply for greater training, search out driver’s licenses and extra.

However everybody’s perspective modified when one scholar, Nancy Lopez, tragically handed away after being struck by a prepare in 2015.

“If I’ve discovered something from her, it was to simply have a look at the world with numerous lenses,” stated Bitner.

Bitner eulogized Lopez with a poem she wrote concerning the journey to America. And her phrases despatched shockwaves all through the group.

Following the response to her poem, Bitner felt inspired to share much more tales about her bilingual college students.

“I took about six months and I went again and I interviewed 11 of my former English language learners who at the moment are of their late 20s, early 30s, all wonderful bilingual professionals understanding on the earth,” she stated. “And I stated to them, you already know, what was that have actually like for you?”

One scholar from Lebanon, Roy Abboud, went on to change into the Assistant Capital Growth Supervisor with Amtrak.

“Miss Andrea taught us so much from English to the way to apply for schools,” he stated. “Something we want, she was there for us.”

One other scholar, Christian Nshimiyimana, emigrated from Rwanda and is now a Senior Accountant at La Colombe Espresso Roasters.

“15 years in the past, we have been simply deer within the headlights,” he stated. “However when of us are given the chance, then they’ll do exactly pretty much as good as anybody.”

The completed ebook is titled, “Take Me House,” and illustrates these journeys whereas weaving Nancy Lopez’s story all through. Bitner hopes it raises consciousness for the way English-speaking People will be good stewards to their group.

“Once you meet somebody who’s studying a language for the primary time, deal with that point of their life like an asset and never a deficit,” she stated.

To be taught extra, go to Andrea Bitner’s web site.

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