Zenaida Ellis

Professor Diaz

Education 355

            While conducting my interview I met with a woman named Diana. In doing my research I was able to get a glance of Mexican American life. I noticed that certain issues I mention in relevant literature pertained to my interview. Through this interview I learn of the struggles Mexicans face in class. Diana was very eager to give me a full insight of her school years. By conducting this research, I was able to notice the constant problems within the educational curriculum. Educators do not do enough to help Mexicans and they are failing them. Due to the lack of knowledge of the Mexicans, America is able to keep them at a disadvantage. After conducting my research I had a different view on Mexicans. I learned that Mexicans are determined to get a proper education, but because of economic difficulties it is not always obtainable. Through this interview I was able to see Mexicans daily struggles and somebody needs to represent these people. Educators need to implement a curriculum that helps bilingual students progress.  This

Zenaida: Hello, How are you? My name is Zenaida.

Diana: Hello, Zenaida I am Diana.

Zenaida: Where are you from?

Diana: I am born in the United States but my parents are from Mexico?

Zenaida: Do your parents speak English?

Diana: My parents understand a little bit of English.

Zenaida: How old are you?

Diana: I am twenty four years old.

Zenaida: Did you go to school in the United States?

Diana: Yes

Zenaida: What was your first language when you enter school English or Spanish?

Diana: My first language was Spanish

Zenaida: Was it hard for you to learn the English language?

Diana: It was hard for me to learn the English language. In school I was required to speak English but at home I had to speak Spanish.

Zenaida: In school were you placed in a bilingual education program?

Diana: Yes I was placed in the bilingual program.  I often got teased because only Spanish kids were in the class.

Zenaida: How did you feel when kids would tease you?

Diana: I felt lonely because they did not want to be my friend. I just stayed to my Spanish people.

Zenaida: How were your grades in school?

Diana: In school I passed all my classes but Reading. I love to do math and calculate numbers.

Zenaida: Did your teachers try to give you extra help in Reading?

Diana: Yes my teacher tried to help me but not enough. The main focus was studying to pass test to go onto the next grade. I believe my teachers should have helped me more.

Zenaida: Did you finish high school?

Diana: By the time I got to high school the subjects became more intense. I could not handle the pressure of English and I dropped out.

Zenaida: Did any of your teachers try to help you?

Diana: No my teachers did not help me.  In class whenever it was my turn to participate, I would tell the teacher no. I failed myself and my school also played a part in that.

Zenaida: Do you have children?

Diana: Yes I have two children a boy and girl.

Zenaida: Do you help them with their school work?

Diana: I try to help my children as much as possible with their school work. I speak to their teachers frequently. Their school provides me with help of a translator if I need it.

Zenaida: Do you have any anticipation to finish your education?

Diana: Yes

Zenaida: Thank you for giving me the chance to conduct this interview.

Diana: You welcome

Michelle Jenkins

Education 355

          As part of this group assignment I was asked to interview parent that was of Mexican descent and has children that are currently enrolled in the New York State Education system.  Fortunately the area of New York That I live in, the East New York Section Of Brooklyn there are quite a few famiies of mexican Descent that live in my community.  In fact there is a family that lives on the ssme block that i livce on.  The family is quite large, there are six small children rangingfrom infant to ten years old, two young adults, four adults and an elderly woman whom is the grandmother of the children.  One of the young adults is a boy named manuel who is the same age as my son; 23.  MAnuel speaks fluent english and attended the same high school as my son.  Although the grandmother (everyone calls her MiMi)doesnt speak much english, she understands it very well.  I decided to interview MAnuel and MiMi because the other adults including Manuel's parents are never home.  Manuel informed that the adults are all working everyday so that everyone can contribute to the household and the rent for the three bedroom apartment.  Maneul was very helpful because he was able to translate the the answers that his grandmother had for my questions.

Me; MiMi how long have you been in the United States?

MiMi; I live her alomost 15 years

Me; why did you come to the Unitec States?
MiMi; I want my family to have good school and good job.

Me; why did you decide to come to Newy York City?

MiMi; I lived in Atlantic City New Jersey for three years too.

Me; Oh so you entered the United Sates and moved to Atlantic City?
MiMi' No I lived in NY for a few years and then moved to AC and them moved back to NYC.

Me; Why did'nt you stay in AC?

MiMi; Ac has very big community with my people but schools no good and work hard to find.

Me;  how do you feel about the schools in NYC?

MiMi; Schools are good but class so big. but good teachers.   they care.

Me; how was school for your children in Mexico?

MiMi; where we lived people have no money.  My children did not go to school.  they stayed home and helped out with chores. when they little they have school at church.

Me;  Manuel how old were you when you came to NYC?

Manuel; eight years old.

Me; how was it going to school in NYC?

Manuel; At first i was scared because i spoke very little english.  my friend helped me with my english and the schools in NYC had classes that taught me english too.

Me; do you thunk it will be esier for your younger sibling to do well in school.

Manuel;  yes because now i can help them .

Me; MiMi if you could change one thing in the schools in NYC to make it better for student transitioning from mexico whay would it be?

MiMi;More teacher from Mexico or more teacher to help with english.