Area Hispanics urged to participate in awareness program
by Diana De Leon, Feature Editor

 
    Immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries come into a unique educational system nothing like what they left.
   Maestros De La Communidad (Teachers of the Community), a program supported by TCC, helps Hispanic parents to understand all the opportunities available to them and their children.
   "We educate them about education in the United States," Noemi Vela, academic advisor on NW, said.
   The program is a series of nine classes geared toward Hispanic immigrants, whether they are new to the country or have been here many years.
   The classes cover issues such as the American educational system, finance and credit, health and relating to the police or other professionals.
   Classes are conducted in Spanish and meet Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
   "It opens up a whole new world for them," Modesta Lopez-Tollison, English as a second language (ESL) coordinator and instructor on NW, said.
   Tollison, who teaches the class, explained that the program covers topics many of her students asked her about in her ESL class.
   "We really don't have time to cover these things in class although we have tried," she said. "It was frustrating; it was like trying to teach a new culture," she said. Tollison explained that many immigrants believe that because they are immigrants or because they do not speak the language, they cannot go to school or are not entitled to many services.
   The Maestros De La Communidad program educates immigrants on what steps to take and who will listen to them.
   "We teach survival and living in the United States," Tollison said. "We teach them about opportunities for the whole family."
   Diana Martinez sat in class alongside her husband, and both parents are happy they did because of the wealth of information given.
   "The teacher talked about moving forward and gave us information on how to do it," she said.
   Martinez explained that although she knew some of the issues covered, she did not know specifics. "It was a lot of information," she said. "The program builds your self-esteem when you know where to go and who to call," she said. Martinez believes that the class will help her when it comes to dealing with the education of her children and herself. She is currently in an ESL class and believes that the class will help her prepare for other things, including speaking to her children's teachers.
   Maestros De La Communidad was the brainchild of Dr. Manuel Garcia Grigeo of the Center for Mexican American Studies at UTA.
   Jaime Nisttahuz, who also works at the center, implemented the program at UTA in December 2001.
   When the idea was conceived, the men did not think it would go beyond a few classes, but the program was a great success from the start, Nisttahuz said.
   Word about the classes spread among the community, and soon parents were asking for more.
   "It lets parents become involved with their children's education and their own," he said.
   Although some of the immigrants are educated and have degrees from their own countries, they cannot obtain the same job here because of their undocumented status or because of the language barrier.
   "Education is highly valued by these people," Mark Escamilla, associate director of TCC enrollment services, said.
   Escamilla explained that enrollment services is recruitment and outreach, which go together to inform the community and especially minority groups about the educational opportunities TCC offers.
   Escamilla saw the potential of the Maestros program for TCC and took the steps necessary to implement the program. The Maestro program targets the parents of potential students, and the parents can become students as well.
   "I have five parents who are now in ESL classes because of the Maestro program," Tollison said.
   Escamilla explained that many times the children are sitting beside their parents in the classes.
   "We want to increase the enrollment in higher education within the community and within the minority population," he said.
   The state wants to close the gap that exists between the Latino population numbers and the number of Latinos enrolled in higher education.
   If 20 percent of Tarrant County's population is Hispanic, then 20 percent of enrolled students should be Hispanic, Escamilla said.
   Enrollment services goes to high schools, some middle schools and community agencies to inform and recruit students.
   Flyers, word of mouth and visits to ESL classes and community agencies by enrollment service advisors such as Vela have helped make the Maestros program a success, Escamilla said.
   "I bring in the people," Vela said. "It is a lot of fun. People are surprised at what is out there."
   Maestros has had two classes on NW Campus and one on SE Campus. A new class will be Oct. 8 on NW.
   The goal, according to Vela, is to have one class each semester on each campus.
   For more information, call Vela at 817-515-5186.