One Immigrant Teacher Educator's Path to Success in U.S. Public Education

• In Event: Existence is Resistance: Educators and the Politics of Language, Immigration, and Deportation

Abstract

This paper introduces an autobiographical account of an immigrant determined to pursue successful personal and professional growth as teacher in the US. This path was not always smooth, but rather full of challenges and tensions. How to continue professional career in a new social, political, and cultural environments, which are “ocean away” from familiar spaces? How to overcome adjustment hardships combined with stereotypes and assumptions about immigrants, their lack of knowledge or skills? How to succeed in becoming a better educator without getting bitter and discouraged? These questions are at heart of the proposed qualitative self-study. The described experience reflects on the lessons learned and how they shaped this educator’s understandings about public education and own place in it.

Author

• Leilya Pitre, Southeastern Louisiana University