Sylvia Tellez: Determined and Independent

Sylvia Tellez has been sure to heed this sage advice from her parents: échale ganas.

It means, do your best, and give it all you got.

Tellez certainly adhered to this guidance as she navigated a difficult public school experience, where she struggled to learn English and acclimate to a different culture than her Latina roots and Spanish-speaking home life.

Her experiences compelled her to pursue a St. Ambrose Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement and a minor in Sociology.

Tellez's parents immigrated from Mexico, moving between Georgia and Iowa while working in poultry plants to keep their growing family fed. Between her parents' tireless work schedule and the language and cultural barriers, Sylvia found herself at the helm of her own education.

"My parents didn't have time to help with my homework, and they only got up to a third-grade education; plus, the language barrier didn't help, Tellez said. "It was really hard for me growing up. My brothers' English was also limited, so I could not look to them."

For the most part, Tellez had some amazing teachers whose patience and guidance inspired her to do well, but she did have a few experiences that were not exactly supportive. Yet, she used even these negative experiences as further inspiration for her future career as a teacher.

"I had really amazing teachers growing up that were patient with me and walked me through things. I also had some not-so-great teachers, but they also inspired me to do better," she said. "I felt put down and picked on by some of my early teachers; they would probe at me for not understanding some things in English. Because of these role models, both good and bad, it made me want to be a teacher.

"Now, I am so passionate about teaching kids in the ESL program. I understand what some of them are going through; they are stuck between their own culture and their new culture, all while trying to learn English. I can't wait to help guide them from my own hard-fought lessons."

As Tellez grew older, she began to wholly realize the sacrifice her parents made so that their children could have a better life.

"The older I got, the more determined I became to be the first one in my family to get a degree," she said.

Despite numerous obstacles and necessary breaks to act as a medical interpreter for her ailing, Spanish-speaking grandparents, she accomplished this goal and now plans to help others follow in her footsteps. With 12 nieces and nephews, and a thirteenth on the way, Tellez hopes to serve as a positive role model for her extended family.

"It is rare for someone from my background to make it – especially in the teaching field. I want everyone to know that it is possible."