STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Growing up, Isabel knew she wanted to help others. She was interested in becoming a child psychologist, but life had other plans. Isabel was born in San Felipe, Guanajuato, Mexico. She lived with her mother, five sisters, and one brother on a ranch near the city. Her father traveled to the United States in search of better job opportunities, as did her brother when he turned fifteen. Isabel grew up in an all-female household in an area where poor education gave rise to ignorance and machismo. Nevertheless, Isabel’s mother raised her daughters in a “bubble of happiness—where [they] were safe of everything, no bad words or nasty looks,” said Isabel. Of course, she did many of the chores in the house: carrying water, carrying firewood for cooking, and harvesting, but she still dedicated time to doing her homework and going to school.

The two most important things for Isabel's parents were safety and education. Because of the poor education where Isabel lived, Isabel's mother decided to take her children to a middle school in the city—that offered a better education—despite her family's beliefs. Isabel admired her mother because of this and knew she wanted to make the most of her education. The school was Isabel's second home—she loved to be in it a lot. Her favorite subject was math, whereas reading was more difficult. "I always had to read a second time to understand, but I knew my responsibilities, so I had to work more on the difficult part," said Isabel. She always wanted to advance academically, so when it was time for her to go to high school, Isabel had to move to the city and live with other family and friends to attend. After graduating high school, Isabel was determined to work. She began working as a manager in a hat shop and later worked as a receptionist in a hotel in Mexico, where she met soap opera artists and singers who were famous at the time. During this time, Isabel married and had her oldest son. In 2009, she and her son moved to the United States to be with her husband.

Isabel's goals changed according to the needs of her family and their possibilities. She has three boys, of whom she is so proud. "They are kind, and even when they were small, they have great aspirations for the future. My oldest son wants to be a businessman, my middle son wants to be a scientist, and my youngest son would like to be a chef or work in something food-related," said Isabel. She always tried to improve academically to help her children in their education. Realizing the need to improve her English fluency, Isabel decided to enroll in ESL classes at the Aberg Center seven years ago. Isabel knew she eventually wanted to go to college but was told that although she had already obtained a degree in Mexico, she would need to take exams to attend college. Isabel's path was better served by working to receive her GED. She decided to pursue her GED and began taking our GED preparation classes at the Aberg Center for Literacy. "My experience as an ESL student and after that a GED student makes me feel like I can grow and fly happily and freely to achieve everything I want to achieve. I recognize that the teachers and Brandy Mendoza were an important part of my academic and spiritual growth," said Isabel. Isabel recently received her GED and now works in a Spanish school as a teacher's assistant. Her goals are to work as a social worker, learn sign language, and help others.

We celebrate Isabel's accomplishment. By taking the brave steps to improve her education, this mother knows she's also greatly enhanced her entire family's opportunities to participate in their community fully.

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Important Dates

• 05-26-2022
   Last Day of Spring Classes

• 05-30-2022
   Memorial Day

• 07-04-2022
   Independence Day

• 08-01-2022
   Fall Registration Begins

• 09-07-2022
   Start of Fall Semester

• 09-22-2022
   North Texas Giving Day

• 10-27-2022
   Legacy of Literacy Breakfast

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