Think College Now, an elementary school that fosters the
growth of local impoverished children, stands proudly in the middle of
Fruitvale’s notorious International Boulevard. According to their website, the
institute has a theory of action centered on college focus, high expectations,
more time for students, small class sizes, strong family and community
involvement, and recruiting of outstanding teachers. Their vision “is to ensure
that all students have the tools to
choose their life’s path and desired occupation with an equal opportunity to
attend college and pursue their dreams.”
When you walk up to the school, you immediately pick up a
sense of refuge. Within the gates, there are colorful murals that depict
mountainous landscapes with deep valleys and signs with terms like “Ganas!”
As I entered the main office, I was welcomed by Yesley Del
Rio-Bursell, a school therapist. Like many of the other people we interviewed
in the area, she was more than happy to provide useful information to aspiring
teachers who wish to understand future students on a deeper level. Del
Rio-Bursell described the racial composition of students and teachers while
noting the disparity between the two groups. She mentioned that most of the
students at TCN are Latino and most teachers are white. We discussed that while
there’s nothing wrong with such a disparity, the successful teachers in such
situations make an effort to understand students’ backgrounds. I asked Del
Rio-Bursell if there was a quote, motto, or anything she would like to add for
the project’s blog. She smiled and said, “Juntos,
si se puede.”
Together, we can.
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