Diana Tlapanco-Ceron is a freshman at iSchool. Although she was born in the United States, her parents are from Mexico, specifically from the state of Puebla. She was raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she grew up surrounded by a mix of cultures. Diana’s first language was Spanish, as she was raised in a Hispanic home where her parents made sure to teach her the language from a young age. While Spanish was spoken most often at home, Diana also learned English quickly because she was surrounded by it at school and in her community.
At home, Spanish is still the main language, and Diana speaks it with her family. However, Diana feels more comfortable speaking English because she uses it most of the time. At iSchool, she speaks mostly English, but in her class with Ms. Rosado, Diana has the chance to practice her Spanish. This is where she talks to her teacher and classmates in both languages, which helps her get better at speaking Spanish and stay connected to her culture.
Diana is proud of her Mexican heritage, and because she was born in the United States but has deep ties to Mexico, she feels connected to both cultures. This is why she identifies as a “Chicana.” A “Chicana” is a term used for a woman of Mexican descent who was born or raised in the United States. It represents a person who feels connected to both Mexican heritage and the experience of living in the U.S. The word carries a sense of pride and strength in one’s culture. For Diana, being Chicana is an important part of who she is.
As I mentioned before, at iSchool we have students from different countries, where Diana has the opportunity to learn about new cultures, but she always does so with respect. For example, with me, she’s learned about a new culture, since I’m from Ecuador and she’s from Mexico. This has sparked her interest in learning more about mine. Together, we can see how things are different here at iSchool compared to our homes, since coming from Hispanic families, our environments are configured differently. But Diana, whenever she encounters a new culture, treats it with respect, and her interest in learning more about different cultures continues to grow.
Diana also enjoys the traditions from Puebla that are a big part of her family’s life. One of the traditions they celebrate is the feast of San Miguel Arcángel, which happens on September 29. This holiday is celebrated in Puebla to honor the archangel and bring the community together. Another important celebration for Diana is Cinco de Mayo, on May 5, which honors the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. These holidays are very meaningful to Diana and her family and remind her of the rich culture she comes from.
Diana also loves the food from Puebla. Like tacos, chilaquiles, mole, and pozole. But Diana’s absolute favorite food is cemita, a Mexican sandwich from Puebla. It’s similar to a torta but has special ingredients and flavors that make it unique. Diana remembers enjoying cemitas with her family, and she would love to share them with her friends at iSchool to teach them more about Mexican food and culture.
Diana is not only proud of her own culture, but she also loves learning about other cultures. She thinks that understanding other people’s backgrounds helps build a better community. Diana enjoys sharing her Mexican traditions with others and is excited to learn about the cultures of her classmates at iSchool. She loves hearing about different customs, food, and traditions, and she values the diversity at her school
Diana is proud of her Mexican roots and is excited to share her culture with others. Her bilingual background, the traditions she celebrates, and her love for Mexican food all shape who she is. At the same time, Diana is open to learning about other cultures because she believes it makes the community stronger.
Ms. Rosado is a Spanish teacher here at iSchool. She is from Peru, specifically from a small town called Norte Costa. It’s called that because it’s located next to the beaches and near the border with Ecuador. When she was in Peru, Ms. Rosado worked as a primary school teacher and taught for 2 years. While in Peru, she decided to immigrate to the United States. Ms. Rosado arrived in New York in 1999, and since her arrival, she has always done everything possible to stay on her feet and try to secure a better future for herself, even though it was difficult for immigrants at that time.
Since arriving in the United States, Ms. Rosado has dedicated herself to working. She started as a waitress and worked at that restaurant for 15 years. In 2012, she decided to return to her career as a teacher. During all that time, she worked very hard. There were nights when she didn’t sleep to finish her school assignments. Ms. Rosado put in a lot of effort in every aspect of her life, including studies and work. But in 2018, she started working here at iSchool. Since then, she has been a Spanish teacher and has remained one of the kindest and sweetest teachers at the school.
Sadly, in 2019, Ms. Rosado was diagnosed with cancer, which took her by surprise. However, despite learning of the illness, she never lost hope of recovering. When she found out there was a possibility she might have limited time, she chose to improve her life. Throughout the process of battling the disease, Ms. Rosado continued teaching and coming to school, even though it was difficult for her. Ms. Rosado kept going with her life and always wore a big smile on her face. She is a very strong teacher, and knowing what she has been through, we can see how, despite spending 25 years in the United States, she never stopped visiting her family in Peru. To this day, she always goes to Peru to enjoy her favorite dish, “caprito norteño,” a stew made with goat meat, served with white rice and beans.
Every time she visits Peru, she makes sure to have her favorite dish, and at the same time, she enjoys celebrating her culture, such as on July 28th, which is Peru’s Independence Day. There are dances, fireworks, typical food tastings, and it’s a time when she shares her culture with us and introduces us to something new. Ms. Rosado also enjoys learning about other cultures because she likes to understand people more and socialize better.
Seeing everything that Ms. Rosado has been through over the years, we can only see a great teacher, who continues to fight despite all the difficulties in her life. She emigrated to this country for a better future, and she achieved it. She is an emigrant and shows us how hard-working she is, and what a great person she is, and without a doubt, Ms. Rosado is an example to follow.
Mr. Rodriguez is a teacher at iSchool, where he currently teaches a variety of Social Studies classes, including U.S. Current Events, U.S. History, Advanced Placement U.S. History, and the Mexican Revolution. He is known for his kindness, positive attitude, and great sense of humor. His students appreciate his ability to make them laugh with his sarcasm and jokes, making his classes not only educational but also enjoyable. Mr. Rodriguez is dedicated to his students, always striving to help them succeed, and as a result, he has earned the respect and admiration of both students and fellow teachers.
However, Mr. Rodriguez’s journey to becoming an excellent teacher was not an easy one. Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Mr. Rodriguez moved to the United States when he was just 15 years old, leaving behind his family, his favorite foods, and the traditions of his home country. When he first arrived in the U.S., he faced many challenges, including the language barrier. Not knowing English made it difficult to adjust, but his determination and strong work ethic helped him overcome this obstacle.
In the U.S., Mr. Rodriguez worked various jobs to support himself, including working as a cleaner and at McDonald’s. These jobs taught him the value of hard work and perseverance. Despite the difficulties he faced, he continued to push forward, learning English and adapting to his new life. His experiences as a young immigrant, along with the kindness he received from educators during his adolescence, inspired him to pursue a career in teaching. After years of hard work, Mr. Rodriguez is now a dedicated teacher who strives to inspire and motivate his students, just as he was inspired by those who helped him along the way.
Although Mr. Rodriguez is now deeply invested in his work as an educator, he never forgets his roots in the Dominican Republic. He regularly calls his family back home, speaking with them in Spanish, and makes sure to visit his relatives in Santiago whenever he can. During these visits, he always takes the time to enjoy his favorite dish: carne de gallina con habichuelas y arroz blanco. This meal, which was his grandmother’s specialty, brings him comfort and peace, reminding him of the memories of his childhood and the warmth of his family.
Although Mr. Rodriguez is far from his homeland, he still holds dear the cultural traditions of the Dominican Republic. One such tradition is the celebration of Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day), a holiday that was especially meaningful to him as a child. This special day was a time when he would receive gifts, and the memories of those celebrations are some of his fondest. However, since moving to the United States, he hasn’t been able to celebrate this tradition as much as he did before.
Mr.Rodriguez also used to celebrate the Carnaval de la República Dominicana, a vibrant festival held throughout February. The festival is known for its lively celebrations, where men dress as demons and carry whips and bimbas (a type of belt) to strike people playfully. While it is a bold and spirited tradition, Mr. Rodriguez no longer participates in it as much, though it remains an important part of his cultural heritage.
Despite being away from his homeland, Mr. Rodriguez has always kept an open heart and mind when it comes to other cultures. He loves trying traditional dishes from different Spanish-speaking countries, and some of his favorites include salchipapas and pupusas, among others. This curiosity and respect for other cultures enrich his experience as an educator, as he enjoys learning about the diverse backgrounds of his students and sharing his own cultural experiences with them.
Mr. Rodriguez’s dedication to teaching and his love for learning about different cultures make him an invaluable member of the iSchool community. His journey from a young immigrant worker in the United States to a respected teacher is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and the impact of kindness and support from others. He continues to inspire his students, making history come alive through his lessons, humor, and the passion he has for his cultural heritage.
At iSchool, students celebrate and respect each other’s cultures. Diana Tlapanco-Ceron, a freshman, is proud of her Mexican heritage. Born in the U.S. to parents from Puebla, Mexico, Diana speaks Spanish at home but feels more comfortable in English. She identifies as a “Chicana,” feeling connected to both her Mexican roots and her life in the U.S. She enjoys celebrating traditions like Cinco de Mayo and loves sharing Mexican food like cemitas with her friends.
Ms. Rosado, a Spanish teacher from Peru, moved to the U.S. in 1999. Despite facing challenges, including battling cancer, she never gave up. She shares her love for Peru’s culture, including its food and traditions, with her students.
Mr. Rodriguez, a Social Studies teacher from the Dominican Republic, moved to the U.S. at 15. He worked hard to learn English and pursued teaching. Although he doesn’t celebrate Dominican holidays as much, he still holds them dear. He loves sharing his culture and learning about others.
Diana, Ms. Rosado, and Mr. Rodriguez are proud of their Hispanic heritage and inspire us to celebrate our backgrounds while respecting others’. Their stories show the strength, resilience, and pride in being Hispanic.
