Diana Gonzalez, Ecuador
"My years with VIF have been a powerful learning experience for me, and this makes me feel proud of myself."
Diana, a VIF teacher from Ecuador, has taught in the Washington County School District in North Carolina from 2003-06. She teaches Spanish at Creswell High School.
Being a cultural ambassador has been the most rewarding experience I've ever had in my personal and professional life. Through this adventure, I've learned to appreciate more my country and my culture, and I've also learned to be more understanding and accepting of others. I firmly believe that everyone is unique and has much to give.
Thanks to the VIF Program, I have had the chance to make a difference as a cultural exchange teacher in the USA, sharing the unique perspectives and culture of Ecuador with our students. Now, Hispanic countries have become more than just dots on the map for them. They have become real places filled with real and wonderful people. I've shared my culture with the students, school and community, and I've felt the positive impact of Ecuadorian traditions on people here. All my enthusiasm, positive energy and dedication have resulted in different ways to share my Ecuadorian heritage, while encouraging kids to share their own cultures, making them feel proud.
I can't forget the memorable moments when we celebrated Christmas, arranging the Christmas tree in the classroom; celebrating the Day of the Dead with my students, who, following customs of Hispanic countries, made creative colorful handicrafts, skulls and skeletons as a symbol of respect to death; the amazing Piñata Fiesta, where my students made piñatas; and a birthday party where they sang a birthday song and Las Mañanitas in Spanish. I also shared with them empanadas and hornado with yapingachos, so they could taste Ecuadorian food.
I'll never forget when I wore typical clothing for my students in a fashion show and even dancing to salsa music for all the school and people in the community. These memorable experiences make me feel special.
I play an important role for the Hispanic students at Creswell Elementary School, where I routinely translate newsletters and correspondence from English to Spanish. I interpret for Spanish-speaking parents at conferences, making parents feel welcome and more involved in their child's learning process. My years with VIF have been a powerful learning experience for me, and this makes me feel happy and proud of being myself. I feel a big responsibility sharing my culture and traditions to people halfway around the world, and I believe I am doing my best as a cultural ambassador.
Now I can understand better how challenging it is to prepare lesson plans and constantly find the best way to introduce my Ecuadorian culture into the different activities or projects I develop inside or outside of the class. VIF gave me the opportunity for self-growth, and all my experiences from this adventure will be a great resource that I will share with my colleagues and students when I return to teach in Ecuador.