Carmen: |
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Marlena, thank
you for granting this interview to Profiles
in Catholicism. |
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Marlena: |
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Thank you for the opportunity! I’m very humbled
to be interviewed for Profiles in Catholicism.
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Carmen: |
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Which is
your current church parish? Please explain when and why did you
join it? |
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Marlena:
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We have belonged to
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Aurora, IL
since 2004. We love all the
ministries in our parish and have participated in
Catholic Engaged Encounter,
C.R.H.P. (Christ
Renews His Parish),
and
Theology-on-Tap. |
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Carmen: |
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What was your
motivation to continue postsecondary studies on
English as a Second Language (ESL)? Why a MA on
Applied Linguistics? |
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Marlena:
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I studied abroad during my undergraduate years
and was placed into an internship downtown San Jose, Costa Rica
in a business college -
Boston Colegio Universitario where I shadowed an ESL
instructor. It opened my eyes to loving and learning about other
cultures and languages and guided me to pursue my M.A. in
applied linguistics and teaching language. Even though I have
enjoyed teaching at the postsecondary level, I love the freedom
of teaching part-time because it has allowed me to instruct
around my children’s busy schedules, whether it’s an evening
class or two in the summer, or morning classes during the school
year. |
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Carmen: |
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Did the fact
that you are bilingual in English and Spanish
guide your
educational choices? |
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Marlena:
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Having studied a second language has certainly
helped me understand how my students feel. I was born and raised
in Naperville, IL and met my husband, who is originally from
Puerto Rico, in college. I can identify with my students and
their experiences with moving to a new country, experiencing a
new culture, and learning a new language. |
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Carmen:
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Your teaching
praxis has followed
what I would call a reversed path.
You first taught at the postsecondary level and you are teaching now at
the elementary level. Considering that our goal as teachers –
especially in the XXI century – is
college readiness, do
you find your career path illuminating? |
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Marlena:
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We could call my path a reversed path or a
diverse path! I currently teach classes at both the
post-secondary level while tutoring at St. Therese of Jesus
Catholic School in Aurora. I’m trying to diversify my portfolio
because of the uncertainty the conflict with the Illinois state
budget generates and the uncertainty public schools face with
all the adjustments and cuts they’re facing.
At St. Therese of Jesus Catholic School, the goal
is to develop the students’ moral values in conjunction with
their academic talents. I play a small role in helping the
students who struggle with language and academic vocabulary as a
pull-out small group tutor. I work with kids from pre-school to
8th grade! I love being a part of their day while
helping them, teaching them, nurturing them and playing games
with them!
On the other
hand, the
Illinois Community College
Board (ICCB), who provides funding for adult
education, is focused on career-readiness and will fund programs
that can show achievement through students gaining employment.
As an instructor, this is frustrating because I think our goal
should be to provide the tools necessary for students to decide
how they can best succeed, whether that’s college, vocational
training, being supportive parents, and/or successful community
members. These students are highly motivated and enthusiastic to
learn English. It could mean a better life for their families or
their immigrant children!
I have also privately tutored two priests, one
from India and one from Vietnam on clear speech pronunciation in
the English language. This was an amazing opportunity! Seminary
prepares them with language instruction, but sometimes
individualized focused attention on American English speech
patterns can be helpful. Because I’ve always been a part of a
large parish, this was the first time I have ever had a personal
interaction and connection to individual priests! We even had
them over to our house for dinner and it was so unbelievably
interesting to hear about how their lives were so different in
India and Vietnam! Another couple I tutored was from China, here
on work VISAS. They came to our wedding and sat with my parents
at their table! I cherish the relationships that develop through
my tutoring work! I cherish the diverse settings in which I can
play a small part in helping others! |
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Carmen: |
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In what manner
does your religious evolution influence your teaching praxis? |
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Marlena:
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I feel my faith has prepared me to be a
compassionate, kind, and understanding teacher who provides a
conduit of American culture to my immigrant students. Our
immigrants carry heavy crosses and I strive to try to make their
lives a tiny bit easier in whatever way I can. |
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Carmen: |
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Imagine for a
moment that any of Jesus’ disciples, let us say
Mary Magdalene, was
granted the opportunity to visit us at this time, what
would be,
in your opinion, her
one advice to teachers? |
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Marlena: |
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She would probably quote my hero,
Blessed Mother Theresa
and say “Whatever you do for your family, for your children, for
your husband, for your wife, you do for God. All we do, our
prayers, our work, our suffering is for Jesus.” Mary Magdalene
would probably say the most important advice for teachers is to
love others, value them, and pray for them. |
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Carmen: |
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Marlena, with permission
from our
readers, I take advantage of this opportunity to thank you for
your service to our students. Your role as a mother and a
compassionate teacher is not small by any measure. I saw them flourish under
your wise guidance and
I appreciate more than words can express our fellowship. |
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Marlena: |
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Thanks again for this opportunity. I feel
extremely blessed in my small role as a mom and a teacher and I
love my vocation. |
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