Helping with the language barrier
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
At Tucker School, Elena Fraire is earning experience as well as tuition as she helps Hispanic families fit in. It's all part of her long-range plan to work with children.
A 1999 Rogers High School graduate, Fraire is now a member of AmeriCorps. For two years she'll work in the Rogers School District and receive a small stipend in return. But at the end of each year, she'll also receive an education award that can be put towards future tuition. She plans to attend Northwest Arkansas Community College to earn the certification needed to work in a preschool.
She was born in Oklahoma, but has lived in Rogers for 14 years. Her family is originally from Mexico, she said. Before she joined AmeriCorps, Fraire worked in retail.
Most AmeriCorps members are young, said Mike Hummel, the director of the local program, but there is no real age limit. The local program covers both Rogers and Springdale schools with 22 full-time members and 22 part-time members. It's financed by grants that must be renewed each year.
In the Rogers district, only Bellview and Garfield elementary schools don't have Ameri-Corps members at least part time, Hummel said. Fraire is part time at two schools, Tucker and Crossroads, the alternative high school.
Although Fraire loves children, she spends most of her time working with teachers and parents. AmeriCorps members work in school offices. They translate when parents come in and help teachers translate notes that must go home, Fraire said.
"Sometimes they can speak
She also answers the phone when she has a few minutes.
She's just starting to get to know the kids who attend Tucker.
"It feels good when they come in and hug you," she said.
When she's not at school she spends time with her own children.
AmeriCorps members serve two years, then most will continue their own education, Hummel said.
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