Unsung Heroes: TCS Interpreters/Translators
Yesenia Guzman and Luz Mena Lopez have a few things in common. English isn’t their native language. They immigrated to the United States with their parents. And they have a passion for giving back to their community – one that includes immigrants, natives, students, teachers and Thomasville City Schools staff.
Throughout Bulldog Nation, both, fluent speakers of English and Spanish, serve as interpreters/translators for the school system. Guzman is assigned to the middle and high schools. Lopez, who serviced all four schools, previously, covers the primary and elementary schools. Guzman stated their primary role is “to serve as the connection between our Spanish-speaking families and our schools.” This includes:
Contacting parents and families through phone calls
Assisting with the enrollment process and the Parent Portal
Providing translation/interpretation services in English and Spanish for parents, teachers, administrators during parent-teacher conferences, school and district meetings, events at schools, etc.
Conducting home visits with social workers
Preparing and recording the weekly school messages/or any other messages in Spanish
Providing academic support to English Language Learner students in some classes
Translate/explain class assignments per teacher's request
Luz Mena Lopez has worked for TCS for 10 years. {Contributed photo}
For Lopez, this career path is one she’s not surprised to find herself traveling. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, her family moved to the United States when she was two months old. Reared in Loleta, CA, Lopez recalled how her parents always ensured she and her siblings were enriched with their Hispanic culture. “I can remember watching my mother make tamales from scratch, flan and custard. Going to church, which is a large part of our heritage, was a must.”
Additionally, being a firsthand witness to some of her parents’ struggles while they routinely helped others tapped into Lopez’s desire to replicate their actions.
“I grew up seeing my parents being active not only in our church community but in the community in general. I also saw the hardship my parents went through to give my siblings and me not only a better life but a better future. My parents have always instilled the value and the importance of education in me. Growing up seeing the lack of parent involvement they had because they couldn’t communicate with school staff really instilled in me my passion and desire to one day be in community service. I believe no parent should feel they cannot help their child’s education due to a language barrier.”
Guzman understands the challenges that present themselves in the US when you aren’t fluent in English. Reared in the Dominican Republic, in the capital city of Santiago, Guzman’s family immigrated to the states in the 1980s when she was a teenager.
Yesenia Guzman has been an interpreter/translator at TCS for three years. {Contributed photo}
When she enrolled in college, she soon had to drop out because her English wasn’t proficient enough to understand the coursework. Discouraged, Guzman worked full-time for three years until a friend encouraged her to apply to a different college that offered bilingual classes. Pushed by her parents and her “dear friend” to not give up on her dream to become a Spanish teacher, Guzman received her bachelor’s in Spanish with a minor in Elementary Education from Lehman College. Prior to relocating to North Carolina in 2012, the same year Lopez moved to Thomasville, Guzman was a teacher for the Universal Pre-K program in New York City.
Calling working for TCS “an honor,” Lopez believes it’s imperative for school systems to have people on staff to help the Hispanic population navigate the US education structure. “It’s very important for school systems to have interpreters for family engagement and participation. Communication is critical. I’m a firm believer that parent engagement equals student academic success.”
Speaking from experience, Guzman shared similar sentiments. “I try my best to help as much as I can. I have experienced how hard it is when facing all the challenges our immigrants encounter when they first arrive in a new country and don’t speak the language or have any idea where to find the assistance needed. I always try to find ways to help them. If I don't know how or where, I rely on a compassionate group of people who are always willing to collaborate with me and our families, such as our Communities in Schools, our social worker and others. I’m fortunate to work for TCS and serve my Hispanic community.”
The feeling from the school system is mutual. Summarizing what Lopez and Guzman bring to the table, Juan Ortiz, the ESL, English as a Second Language, director for TCS called Lopez and Guzman valuable members of the ESL team and great assets to the school system.
“They’re diligent, resourceful and committed to support students and their parents at TCS. They mediate communication among school staff, administrators, parents and students to break language barriers and create a friendly environment for diverse families. They advocate for students who need their assistance and call parents to provide them with the information they need to help their kids succeed at the school. They always have a smile and a positive word to share with people who come to our schools. We’re so lucky to have them on our team.”
