It's back to school time for children everywhere; but at Blanchard Library's FLAIR Literacy
program, any time is the right time for "back to school" for adults who want to improve their
English language skills.
Several years ago, Sandra Nieto, decided it was time to learn "just a little bit of English."
She signed up for a free one-to-one tutor at the library. That was then -- this is (Sandra)
now:
"Last May, I graduated from Ventura College. My diploma says Associate in Arts with a major in
Sociology. This is an important achievement in my life, which I didn't even dare to dream
years ago.
"A mature married woman with a poor earlier education, mother of two (a teenage daughter and a
disabled child) that demand my time and attention. This is me, not the common college student,
but one who had the luck of finding people who saw potential and believed in me more than I
did. They were my FLAIR tutors, and a family that inspired me all the time. My tutors were
good people who shared their knowledge and time helping me without any self-interest, and my
total gratitude goes to them. My family, especially my husband, has been very supportive. He
is a man who didn't feel threatened that his wife would be more educated than he, and who
encouraged and supported her without reservations.
"In the past my priorities were focused on my job and achieving money to have a good car and
house. Now, I see that education is a vital need, which needs to be fulfilled as well. As many
people, I came to the library aspiring to learn a little bit of English. Just a little, enough
to deal with my children's teachers, the manager of the factory where I worked then, and the
grocery shopping. I didn't want more.
"Somehow I made the library one of my favorite places. A familiar place, familiar faces, a
twice-a-week routine; it was comfortable for me. I spent many years learning from the
Challenger series, its wide vocabulary; its short stories were interesting and beneficial. It
is difficult to express it. I was doing things, but I felt as if I wasn't moving ahead.
"Life or destiny gives chances. It gives people who help you to see those opportunities as
well. When my son turned 6, his days at school were longer, so I had plenty of time to do
something else. My tutor then, Jeanne San Carlo, a wonderful practical woman, put the cards on
the table and made me realize that it was the time for a change. She saw that I had the ability
and time, and that I just needed a little bit of courage to step ahead and enroll myself in
college. As many people do, I had doubts and fears about commitment and fear of failure.
"It was a turning point. I realized that I had nothing to lose; then I started one summer,
when classes are small and short. After that, I didn't stop. Little by little I knew that hard
work and dedication are the key to succeeding.
"A fact that is remarkable is that I spent time doubting my learning ability. Many years
learning without a real goal weren't a waste of time, but I could get more benefit of them if
I had the vision that I have now. I believe that many are the same as I was, doubting their
capability and afraid to face challenges. It takes a little bit of courage at the beginning to
get you going and on your way. Once you're there, you will realize that it is not as difficult
as you were thinking in the past. Take your chance."
Sandra Nieto 2006
(Sandra is now a junior at UCSB, majoring in Sociolpgy.)
Let Sandra's words speak to the adult student or the volunteer tutor inside of you. Call
525-2384 to sign up for classes or to volunteer. "Take a chance."
mlb - 11/22/06