Bilingual teacher fights for Spanish-speaking students to have a voice in classrooms
For many Hispanic students raised in Spanish-speaking households, communication can pose a significant barrier to their success in the classroom. Rosanna Serres is no stranger to this struggle. Coming to the United States over two decades ago, she feared how language would limit her success. Serres, a long-term substitute teacher in the Independence School District, specialized in bilingual outreach to Hispanic students for the past 16 years. Her passion has always been to make sure their voices are heard and their needs are met. Now, Serres travels from school to school in the district, going wherever and whenever, she is needed.
Recently, Serres sat down with The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks, to talk about coming to this country as a Spanish speaker, bilingual resources in the classroom, and how learning language opens cultural doors.
Banks: Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing?
Serres: I am from Caracas, Venezuela, the capital, but I was raised in Táchira, which is by the border of Colombia. My dad was in the military and he passed away, then my mother moved us by the border. All of my brothers and sisters are teachers and very educated. Two are professors in Venezuelan universities. I taught there for five years then made a crazy decision to move to the United States. When I was younger I saw the new government coming in with the political views and I told my mom I had to leave because I didn’t want my son to live under this government in 2003. I went to Salt Lake City, Utah first for a year and half then moved to Kansas City and have been here ever since.
Can you tell me about your experience when you first moved to the United States?
When I first moved here I was undocumented for several years. I was able to work different jobs as a housekeeper and for other companies. I am thankful that I was able to work until I got my citizenship taken care of and will always be grateful for being able to come here and get an opportunity.
Can you tell me about your work as a teacher and what made you want to go into this particular field?
For me being a teacher is something that is in your heart. Obviously, it is not about money or recognition. As soon as I was able to legally work here in the United States I knew I wanted to teach but I could not speak English well at that time. The school I was getting hired at had a large population of Spanish-speaking students and they wanted somebody like me to work with them. That is when my journey started.
What are the challenges that you face in your career?
Keeping my mouth closed. In the past I have seen teachers tell students not to speak Spanish. Sometimes they want to check my language. That has happened to me in a past position where they don’t want me to speak Spanish to students. I ask them, “is that a policy?” If so, I would like to see it.
How do you feel your work impacts the community around you?
I think it impacts it tremendously at the moment. Right now we know that there are a lot of companies in the country that need people who speak other languages. Spanish is one of the most spoken languages here in the United States. I work in a building where only about 10% of the adults know how to speak Spanish. Languages help to open doors and build connections. I think that is the biggest impact I can offer them.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
Being around the community and talking with people who look like me. I love connecting with them and I think that is the best part of my job. Being able to help people just by talking with them and letting them know I understand you and that is really important in school. It is important that students have access to bilingual teachers because the population in the United States is changing dramatically and there needs to be more people in these positions to help those students.
Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you?
God is my rock. I have been here (in the U.S.) for 22 years and being an immigrant in the country is not easy. Being a single mom for many years and learning how to manage the system without any help. I recognize that America gave me the opportunity and I was able to work and I will always appreciate that. That is why I put my heart into everything and ask God to keep me humble in how I serve my community.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
I am not looking for recognition or to be on the news but I do want to make change and I want to be the voice for change in the Latino community. It is hard when you are not a native speaker here in the country and feel like people won’t listen to you because of how you speak the language, or if you don’t have a bunch of degrees. I want to be a voice for the people like me who feel like they aren’t heard because they may not speak the language as well.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to follow the same career path as you?
Always find the light because some days will look dark. You are the only one who knows what is inside of you and what you could give to others.
