Why I am Learning English with the Best Teacher for Adults in East Side San Jose

15Jan
by Eva Heredia

I am a mother, a wife, a coworker, a fellow parent leader in my community and so much more! I decided six months ago that I wanted to take English courses through the East Side Adult Education program in San Jose, and it has been one of the best learning experiences I’ve had.

I decided to take English classes as a necessity, to read write and speak English correctly. Being bilingual brings more opportunities for better jobs. In addition, I will be able to help my daughters with their homework to review it together and help them correct errors. I am sharing my experience to serve as an example to other parents who want to learn English like I did for a long time.

Mr. Bell teaches my English class at Independence Adult Center. He is a great teacher and is not only very caring but is determined to ensure that we all learn. He knows how to motivate his students and everyone you ask describes him as a very patient teacher.

Mr. Bell is always concerned when one of his students misses class because he knows the impact that it has when someone misses a lesson. Knowing that it is inevitable and sometimes even as adults we may not be able to attend one of his classes, his system to keep us accountable is assigning a buddy system. The buddy is responsible in supporting those who may have missed a lesson.

Mr. Bell is a retired California public school teacher of 32 years, and he taught special education, English, Social Studies among many other subjects. Since 1985, he has taught English part-time at Adult Centers in San Jose. He took part in establishing English classes in Bolivia during his time in the Peace Corps. I want to take this time to appreciate and thank Mr. Bell for bringing his knowledge and expertise to the adults here in East Side San Jose. The textbook he uses is one he prepared himself! I truly hope one day it can be published because many others could benefit from it. His passion to impact and help others is evident in my class and in his textbook.

Teachers like Mr. Bell are very valuable, teaching with love and with care makes a big difference in my own experience. I can’t help but to think about the teachers that are teaching my daughters in middle school and the importance of having love and kindness in every classroom, especially teachers who are teaching English to English learners like me and like many of our children in East Side San Jose.

The program schedule for Spring 2019 is up on the website and classes begin January 7th! Classes are free for adults of all ages. It is never too late to continue our education and meet our goals. Set up a meeting with a counselor to know which classes to take and get started next semester! I hope my experience helps other parents in San Jose who are searching for opportunities to learn.

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Eva Heredia

Eva is a parent leader at Rocketship Discovery Prep and at KIPP Heritage Academy in East Side San Jose. She currently lives in San Jose California with her two beautiful daughters and her husband. She was born in Mexico City in 1976 but also considers Oaxaca as her home because of her mother.

She began her leadership at Rocketship Discovery Prep over four years ago. She learned that there was so much more that she could do as a parent beyond volunteering in her children’s classroom. Eva became fully aware of the political involvement a parent must act on.

She has the experience and extensive knowledge about public officials, school board members, and school administrators who play an important role in public education in East Side San Jose. She supported the opening of Kipp Navigate at a State level, by advocating for quality schools alongside other parents in 2018. She then became a founding parent at Kipp Navigate. Besides being a champion for high-quality education and choice, she also helped build the Wooster Neighborhood Association in her community. She is the voice for her children, students, and her community. She is a huge supporter of parent engagement, choice, and access to higher education. In addition, Eva also attended an Adult High School and graduated from Independence High School in 2019.

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