Si Se Puede

I pass by him as many times as I need to everyday during class to make sure he understands when the teacher asks the students to "turn in the worksheets." He just moved to the states around July and he is absolutely terrified of the English language. Today the work was on fractions to percents and he zoomed through it as the other students struggled with 1/2=50%. The teacher started asking for volunteers to answer the problems...

I remembered the ESL teacher asking them to practice their English at all times so I made a move. "Hey man you're really good at these why don't you try answering one?" He immediately bows his head down and shyly answers, "No Miss." My mind couldn't help but flashback to my 6th grade year during which I never spoke a single word to anyone. Fear would overtake me, the fear of knowing I was different simply because Spanish was my first language. Yes I could zoom through all the math worksheets but what good was it to me knowing what PEMDAS was, when all the other kids felt perfectly comfortable and "as a part" of the school and "American" society... All of them except for me. Why was I at a disadvantage? Why did I have to be born into a Spanish speaking family? What is the name of the famous singer that sings "hit me baby one more time?" Who are the Spice girls and why did all the girls want to be them for halloween?

I snapped back into reality. I could not let history repeat itself once again. I made a second move... "Come on I'll help you with the translations." He picks up his head suggesting to me he wants to try... He starts stumbling through the numbers "un cuarto es won forth o equals twenty-five porsent?" I nod my head at him but make sure not to smile to ensure he has no misunderstandings about his English skills. I take a step back.

Once again the teacher asks for a volunteer. His hand immediately shoots up into the air. The teacher looks around the room to choose a student. She spots a new set of fingers waving high above all others. In awe she calls his name... He replies, "won forth o equals veinti-cinco o sorri! Twenty-five porsent!"  

This is why I joined City Year. To ensure that our youth know they can reach their full potential. To ensure that they have the full support that they need. In today's scenario it was a simple, "Si se puede." Someone out there now knows that with his great voice, yes he can. He belongs, and he made not only myself proud... but he made HIMSELF PROUD.