First Graduates of Alpha Parent Center are Empowered By Learning English

By Guest Blogger Karen Martinez, Parent Center Manager, Alpha Parent Center* and the Alpha Parent Center Graduates

Karen Martinez, Parent Center Manager

Summer was busy for the 13 members of the Alpha Parent Center’s first English Class. Students in the five-week session that graduated the end of July got a great start on learning English, setting up email accounts and learning how to use a computer.

There were three parents in the class who didn’t know how to read or write Spanish, but they are on their way to learning English. One of the three parents was a dad, which was important. In the traditional Latino culture, males don’t normally put themselves out there in this way. Seeing him every Tuesday and Thursday evening work hard to learn English and use a computer was inspiring to me.

More importantly, all our parents will work toward earning their high school diploma.

Why do Alpha parents want to learn English? Mostly it’s because they want to better communicate with their children, their children’s teachers and other people. Below are quotes from the students themselves, but Margarita Morales perhaps said it best.

“English is important to me because I need to communicate with people in the community and my children’s teachers,” said Morales. “I like the school because my classmates and teachers push and help me to continue with my education. In the future, I plan to continue coming to school and get my high school diploma.”

Being the Manager of the Alpha Parent Center provides a huge honor for me to serve my community. Most importantly, the Alpha Parent Center is a tool to empower parents like me, and others.

Words (and video) from the Alpha Parent Center Graduates

“My name is Mercedes Montalvo. I am a student at Alpha Parent Center. Thank you for your support. I am studying English because I want to communicate with people at school, the doctor, and other places. I want to help my children to do their homework. Thank you ACE.”

“My name is Aracely Morales. I am a student at Alpha School. I want to learn English to support my children with their homework and to communicate with my friends at work. Thank you.”

“My name is Celia Coello. My two daughters are part of the Alpha family. I want to learn English because I want to communicate with people around me. Thank you Karen and ACE for helping us.”

“My name is Margarita Morales. I have two children. My son is in Eighth grade at Alpha Blanca Alvarado. My daughter is in third grade at Rocketship Si Se Puede. I am studying English at Alpha Parent Center. The school is convenient for me because it is close to my house, and I walk five minutes to get here. Learning English is important to me because I need to communicate with people in the community and my Children’s teachers. I like the school because my classmates and teachers push and help me to continue with my education. In the future, I plan to continue coming to school and get my high school diploma. Thank you ACE for helping us to improve our education. “

“My name is Migdalia Villavicencio. Thanks for coming. This program supports me to communicate more with my children and their teachers. Thank you for everything.”

“My name is Arturo Flores. I usually work twelve hours everyday, and I come to school after work. I am learning English at Alpha Parent Center. I only went to first grade in my country. Thank you ACE for helping us.”

“My name is Maria Reyes. I am a mother of three kids. One of them comes to Alpha Jose Hernandez and the other two go to Rocketship Si Se Puede. I have been in the United States for thirteen years, and I want to learn English because it is very important to communicate with my children, my boss, teachers and people around me. Thank you ACE.”

“My name is Guadalupe Hernandez. I am a student at Alpha School. I want to learn English to communicate with my children, my boss, and other people. Thank you for your support.”

“My name is Cecilio Villafaña. I am a student at Alpha Parent Center. I am studying English because it is very important for my job and I can also help my children. I would like to say Thank you very much for your support.”

“My name is Rosa Lopez and I am studying English at Alpha Parent Center. I am very happy because I am learning English. Thank you Karen and teachers.”

“My name is Elizabeth Bernardino. I have two daughters and I am very interested in learning English in order to have a better communication with my daughters and teachers. Thank you everyone for your support.”

“My name is Antonio Pineda. I am a student at Alpha Parent Center. I want to learn English. Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you very much.”

“My name is Consuelo Medina. I am studying English because I want to communicate with other people. I have been in the United States for twenty years. Thank you ACE for helping me.”

*The Alpha Parent Center summer classes were held on the José Hernández Middle School in San Jose, CA. This school is one of the Alpha Public Schools, a network of public charter secondary schools that prepares students in low-income communities with the knowledge, skills and character traits they will need to succeed in college and career. The Alpha Parent Center is an ACE Learning Center and supports the parents of these students.