Wendy (on the left) smiling with SMAS classmates
while volunteering at the San Mateo Public Library

At San Mateo Adult School, students learn many skills to help them succeed.  Some students progress from the classroom to jobs.  They are learner to earner success stories.  

Wendy Yeung is one of these success stories.  She agreed to share her experience in order to help other students move forward toward their own goals.

Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your story! 


What is your name?  

 

Wendy Yeung

Where are you from - what country or part of the world?

 

I am from Hong Kong China. Hong Kong is in the south part of China and was a British colony for 100 years.

What classes did you take at San Mateo Adult School?  Who were your teachers?

 

I took Distance Learning class of teacher Cynthia, ESL Advanced Low Class of teacher Jessica, ESL Adv High Listen/speak Class of teacher Vasyl, ESL Advanced Writing class of teacher Lisa and Online class of teacher Carol.

What are your doing now - what is your job or volunteer work?

 

I am a multi-purpose clerk in Lucky Supermarket. I work in the Berkeley Deli Department. Although I have no experience on that before, but they give me a chance.

 

 

What helped you find this job or volunteer position?

 

My husband David inspired me to create my new life in America.  But no feedback from online job hunting. I went through a loss of confidence when i couldn't understand what other people were saying.

San Mateo Adult School opened a window for me to get to know American people and American culture. That is the first step for all new immigrant. so meaningful! The teachers of School let us study in English environment.

When I couldn't speak in English, my sister Jessica accompanied me to read aloud at home. When I was afraid to find a job in person, my friend Shirley encouraged me to go into the store to express myself. the most critical step is my families and friends' support.

 

I have to survive. I know deeply I want to live in a real life but not only American Dream.

What helped you the most at San Mateo Adult School?

 

The professional teachers at SMAS helped me the most.  Patricia Villar as a transition navigator said to me: You don't know what you can do, until you try.   Teacher Cynthia, Jessica  and Lisa taught me a lot of kinds of ways to learn English.   Teacher Vasyl told us more about American culture.

 

Do you have advice for other SMAS students - about learning English, looking for a job, taking risks, doing something new in the USA?  

 

New world, new life! That is what i think. I am not the best, but I will try my best.

And English Learning will stay with me for the rest of my life in America.

 

 

Thank you so much, Wendy, for sharing your experience.  Your advice is spot-on and will help many people.  Thank you!  

 

Click here to see more #Learner2Earner success stories.

Rita with one of the Keys to Success
that she designed for Adult Ed Week 2018

Many SMAS students become active volunteers - both at school and in the community.  Rita Maria Noguera Ricardi is one of these students. 

Here is an interview with her about her experience as a volunteer:


1. Where you are from and what are the languages you speak?

I was born in São Paulo, Brazil. I speak Portuguese. My father is Spanish, and I am also Spanish. I lived 20 years in Madrid, Spain, and I speak Spanish.


2. How long have you been a student at SMAS?  What classes are you taking now and have taken in the past?
I started studying at SMAS in February 2017. I have studied two courses with the teacher Elizabeth, one with teacher Vasyl, and two with Deep. I have also done conversation classes with David, Lili, and Glenn.

Now I'm in Low Advanced, with Jessica. I am also taking the Career Exploration course and the ESL City Government Academy program.

I think it is important to talk when commenting to teachers that I am dyslexic. All teachers have demonstrated understanding and support in my difficulty, and encourage me to continue making progress.

 
4. Tell us about your volunteering experience - what you did, how you got started, etc.
Note:  Rita volunteers at SMAS as a Student Ambassador and also in many places in the community.

Mid–Peninsula Boys and Girls Club.
Since June 2017 - Art Educator
Design and delivery of art workshops for children from 6 to 14.
My husband and I contacted the center.
I wanted to be able to work with children and that it be near my home.


San Mateo Public Library
Since April 2018  - Creative Workshops in Spanish for preschool (with English translation)
Design and delivery of workshops where children and their parents enjoy the creative process, develop their imaginations, and encourage their artistic expressions.
My husband and I contacted the center.
I proposed a new activity that suits the library's activities.
Ben Ocon and Adriana Valencia were pivotal help in my work at the library.


SMAS - San Mateo Adult School
Since January 2018 - Student Ambassador
Help new students arriving at the center, as a translator from English to Portuguese and / or Spanish.
Teacher Vasyl encouraged me to sign up and I thought it was a good idea.


Kids and Art*
May 06, 2018 - Design and delivery of the workshop: "You are the most special person in the whole wide world".
Artist Krytzia Daboub and Art educator, Rita Noguera treated pediatric cancer families to a special treat during this workshop.


Peninsula Museum of Art*
March 25, 2018 - Design and delivery of the workshop: “Jugar con Arte”, with families. "The memory of water." Bilingual workshop: Spanish and English. Run by Rita Noguera and Krytzia Dabdoub.


Family Connections - Menlo Park*
May-June, 2017 - Accompany and support pre-school classes with children and parents.

* The contact for these three volunteer activities were thanks to my friend Krytzia.

6.  What was your professional experience before starting this volunteer work?


•    Teacher in art workshops. More than 25 years’ experience with children above 18 months, in preschools in Spain and Brazil
•    Pedagogical renewal. Development and delivery of courses in creative expression for teachers and parents
•    Art workshops coordinator, art/educator, and cultural mediator for all academic levels (preschool through university) and Family Art
•    Author of grade school textbooks in Visual Arts for Grupo SM
•    Published author of a substantial number of articles in Art Education magazines in Spanish and Portuguese
•    Participant/attendee in numerous congresses, conferences, and workshops


7.  What are your favorite parts of volunteering?

I like learning new things and sharing my knowledge. It is a very enriching information exchange.
I have searched for these volunteer jobs, because I am an art teacher, with more than 27 years of experience in art workshops with children and adults. I have worked in Brazil, Spain, and now in the United States.

Being a Student Ambassador was something new, because I had never done a job as a translator. It is very rewarding. I recently arrived at the Adult School not knowing very well what was going to happen. When I noticed that there was a Student Ambassador, I felt more confident, knowing that the school only wants to help us, that we are fortunate to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. In general, they believe me and breathe relieved, and giving a smile.

I like helping people. It is good to do volunteer work in something that you like. You may not have any experience in the volunteer work you intend to do, and you may or may not like it. If you do not like it, you will know that this is not for you and you can find another activity.



8.  What is your advice for SMAS students who are thinking about volunteering?
I recommend everyone who has time and availability to do some volunteer work.
It is the possibility to know more about the community in which we are living, to share knowledge, and to practice English. To anyone who wants to do volunteer work, I recommend that you look for something related to what you like, or something done before living here. By doing something that you like you can make connections with what you already know and bring new perspectives. Surely there will be many people willing to help you in the search of an appropriate volunteer service. Sometimes I could find it hard to know where to start. You may be afraid or ashamed, but I encourage you to overcome these normal barriers of adaptation. For me, volunteer work is a very good way to integrate and be known in the community.


I thank all the people who have made it possible for me to carry out and continue to carry out this volunteer work.
Thank you, Rita, for sharing your story.  You inspire us to take risks, share of our talents, and be generous with time, talent, and skills.




Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club.




Hanging ornament workshop and drawing. April 04, 2018.




Workshop "Creating with squares". August 01, 2018.




Workshop “Autumn”. November 2018
SAN MATEO PUBLIC LIBRARY




Workshop “Circles”. June, 2018




Workshop “Colors”. May 2018



KIDS and ART




PENINSULA MUSEUM OF ART

For Adult Education Week 2018, students from Ms.Thompson's PreGED Morning and Evening classes were asked to write about the, "Keys to Success."   Our heartiest congratulations to all participants.

Keys to Success

by Gustavo Rosas

Third Place Winner - Evening Class

Probably the first step to success is a dream.  Dreams come true all the time, but you have to land into the reality.  Then you have to convert on a short or long goal with a deadline to start the journey.

Time is the most important part of this subject, because before you start the road, you need a plan and strategy.  You need effort every day like the same way you do with life. Dedication is important too, because if you combine dedication and effort you have a clue to success.

Emphasis on what you really want to do is important also.  Patience is a virtue that not many people have. If you put a little bit of time, effort, dedication, emphasis, and patience you will be closer to success.

Sometimes you will suffer, because nothing is easy.  You will have to show that you are strong and courageous.  Like the quote says, “No pain, no gain.” Once you have achieved what you proposed, you will feel proud and successful for your achievements.

One of the most important key to success is, “Perseverance.”  You can be persistent in what you really love or are interested.  Like education, that’s a priority in our lives and is a complement to success.  In conclusion, we need to focus on priorities and move step by step to achieve the success.  

For Adult Education Week, students from Ms.Thompson's PreGED Morning and Evening classes were asked to write about the, "Keys to Success."   Our heartiest congratulations to all participants.

   Education is a Hope

by Adriana Leite

Education is a hope because I believe that Education can change our life.  It can do this by reducing violence, providing more jobs for everybody, giving people a good quality of service, and a better future.

When I was a child, I could not go to school regularly, so I was sad and unconfident.Two years ago, my husband and I moved to the United States. He was transferred from his company in Brazil to here. I didn't speak English, so it was so difficult for me to do simple stuff, like go to the doctor, or to the grocery store.  

My husband encouraged me to take English classes, and, at the first it was difficult, but now I can  go anywhere and do all my stuff. I can have a nice conversation with my neighbors, go shopping, make plans for the future here. I have a plan to go to College and be a cosmetologist.  I'm really proud of myself!

Education for me  is the key for a better life and a better world. The life without education is like a tea without sugar .

This is really good!  Great job; welcome back!!

Three Things I Have Learned at SMAS


by Takayo Erami

It has been one and a half years since I started taking an ESL class at San Mateo Adult School. I felt nervous when I moved to the Bay Area because this is

my first experience living away from my home country, Japan.  I had studied English hard for 10 years until I graduated university.  I liked studying English better than math and science in my school life. But, unfortunately, the teaching method didn’t help me English fluently. I have been thinking about the reason why I am not a good English speaker. Why is it difficult for me to describe things?

Why is it difficult for me to respond quickly in a conversation?  I found some clues recently while attending a morning class and distance learning class. Let me share with you some points to be a good English learner.

First of all, it will be important to change the way of approaching English. I have realized that English is not a subject, but a tool of understanding culture and people. When I was young, I used to study English grammar and vocabularies technically.  Iin other words, I just memorized them to pass the exam. I am ashamed to say but my goal might have been to pass the exam.

Here at San Mateo adult school, I have learned American culture from teacher Katherine. It is really interesting. She gives me some local information such as the places to go, things to do, and foods to eat. And she shares her memories. It helps me understand American culture.

Teacher Cynthia gives me some interesting materials such as Newsela and Annenberg Learner. Some video programs show me daily local life.  They are interesting and sometimes touching. Some articles inspire me to learn American history and global nature problems. I am getting interested in how political decisions have affected people and earth and nature. In summary,  English should be related to my daily life.

Secondly, I should not be passive but active. At first, I was afraid of making mistakes and hesitated to have a conversation. I realized it didn’t make sense. My classmates encouraged me to say something out loud. It is getting natural to have a conversation in the class. In short, I just have to get used to it.

Next, I need to relax and have fun. I am not a native English speaker, so I don’t have to be a perfect speaker. Teachers and classmates always accept my limited English, and I get courage and confidence from their attitude. I don’t need to feel much stress.  The most important things is to enjoy learning English.

In conclusion, I have realized that I can develop my English skills through daily life. Fortunately, I have made some friends who have lived here in California for a long time. They are really kind and make me feel comfortable. I couldn’t imagine such a good relationship with local people when I moved here. I hope I will continue to improve my English while I communicate with local friends and classmates and teachers.

Teacher Cynthia and Takayo Erami
discussing things in English in Distance Learning

For Adult Education Week, students from Ms. Thompson's PreGED a.m. and p.m. classes were asked to write about the, "Keys to Success."  Some questions they were asked to consider were:

* What is your goal or destination?

* Where are you going?

* What are the obstacles in your path?

* How is the San Mateo Adult School helping you get there? 

Each student was assigned a number with only Ms. Thompson knowing who belonged to which essay.  Then, three readers were asked to read the essays and award them First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention. 

This process of writing, editing, refining, and rewriting takes time.  So does the judging.  Also, Ms. T was out recuperating from hand surgery, so students didn't find out the winners until June 7th! 

First, we would like to thank our readers Carlota Zuniga, Ron Beall, and Eric Saavedra. 

The winners are:

Honorable Mention AM class: Lawrence Boyle

Third Place AM class: Isaias Lantan

Second Place AM class: Narciso Hernandez

First Place AM class: Reina De Los Santos. 

Honorable Mention PM class: Saul Sanchez Lopez and Christian Duran

Third Place PM class: Gustavo Rosas

Second Place PM class: Simone Coelho

First Place PM class: Emerson Torres Jr. 

Participation certificates were issued to all who took part. 

To announce the winners, a class party was held.  Mr. Saavedra and Mr. Tim Doyle attended, handed out the prizes, and listened to the students read their essays aloud.  Our heartiest congratulations to all participants.