What Teachers Say About VIF

Mikel Ortiz de Lataburu
(Spain)

"Other programs might say, "You are on your own, you are an adult," but it is important to have the support of your school system and the support of VIF."

Mikel taught Spanish from 1998-2001 in an elementary school in South Carolina.

It was thrilling getting ready to come to the U.S. I had many expectations and I didn't really know how to accomplish them - expectations about school, social life, and friends. When I arrived at Orientation, the thing I appreciated most was how VIF made us feel comfortable and welcome. I met other teachers and knew I wasn't on my own.

Adjusting to a new culture is very humbling. When you come from an environment where you know where everything is, you feel untouchable. When you have to build that same thing again, you learn that you need help from other people and that people are willing to help.

It was hard to adapt my first couple of months. My students come from pretty difficult backgrounds and their backgrounds affect their ability to learn. I asked for advice from my school - I wanted to make a good impression and the only way to do that was to learn and ask questions. Eventually I realized that my students are just kids. As kids, they always have the door open to learning, even if they have problems that show up as learning disabilities or acting out in class. There are ways for us as teachers to deal with it.

I was part of the first group of teachers in Columbia, SC, and we got a lot of support from VIF when there were problems that needed to be solved. Also, a VIF consultant was in charge of visiting us, checking to make sure we were progressing in our classroom management. The first year was not easy, but with the help of the district's foreign language coordinator, VIF, and my fellow teachers, we now are having success and can see the fruits of our work. It is a good feeling to know you can count on other people. Other programs might say, "You are on your own, you are an adult," but it is important to have the support of your school system and the support of VIF.

A month ago, a student of mine approached me because she wanted to present at the school district's Visual Literacy Festival. The festival is organized by the Department of Instructional Technology Services, which encourages students to use technology - web design, multimedia, etc. My student used text and voice in a Power Point presentation on numbers, colors, days of the week, and her family. She came to me because she wanted to make the presentation in Spanish. It was a very exciting thing for me. I met with her a couple times after school to perfect her work. When she was selected a first-place award winner, I was delighted. I had the chance to speak to the district's TV channel and say how grateful I am to the district's foreign language program and VIF for giving me the chance to work here. When a fourth grader comes up to you with this idea, you know that you and the other teachers have inspired her.

Outside of school, I've been involved in taking courses. Right now, I am taking a French course at Midlands Technical College. I am also taking a school district web design course and if I am successful at it, the district will reimburse me for the cost.

The most important thing for me as a VIF participant has been the opportunity for self-growth and the human experiences, as well as all the people I've met. My VIF friends and I, we say we will be made of iron once we leave because we have been able to deal with things we never thought we'd be able to. The work I've done will stay here and what I will take with me is how much I have grown, as well as the love of my friends and co-workers.