Colton Conley
3/17/16 - Present
International Institute
Sam Bianco
Now, I’m a much more proficient teacher and Spanish speaker. I’ve taught the beginner, advanced, and Spanish-only classes by now but still focus on the beginner class. I’m able to lead a class on my own, and can communicate by ideas about grammar and US civics in Spanish with a newfound fluency.
Teaching at the International Institute has also given me a significant amount of perspective on how lucky we are to attend Menlo. It reminds me how privileged I was to be born in a place where everyone goes to school, and how privileged we are to get such a high quality education. Many of my students never had the opportunity to learn in a traditional classroom setting, and those who did were not attending a school like Menlo. It’s incredibly rewarding to use the stellar education I’ve received in Spanish and US History to give back to others and provide them (and their children) with the opportunities we have in their area.
So, I’m continuing to volunteer here not just because it’s a great way to practice my Spanish, but also an incredibly rewarding experience. Getting to know the students and making connections is truly gratifying, especially when they graduate to the next class or pass their test. I know that the work I’m doing here really matters because I can see firsthand how much becoming an American citizen means to everyone in my class, and how happy they are when they pass. My favorite classes are always when new citizens come back and bring pizza, tamales, and sopes to celebrate their achievement. It’s really awesome feeling knowing you made such a big difference in someone’s life.
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