Martha Salazar has a genuine connection with her Newcomer students from Afghanistan at Colonial Hills Elementary School. Just one year ago, she was a newcomer herself. She moved to San Antonio from Tijuana, Mexico, with her children to work for North East ISD.
“This is a different culture for me too, so I really understand them. We clicked right away.”
NEISD worked with the International Alliance Group (IAG) to hire more than 20 qualified and experienced Dual Language teachers from outside the U.S.
Salazar is one of those educators. She currently teaches fourth and fifth grade students in our Newcomer Program, which provides direct support for arriving refugees or asylees entering U.S. schools.
“I have kids who already know how to read and others who are learning their ABCs,” explained Salazar. “I am so proud of them. I cried during their graduation last year. Just watching them become more confident in speaking and writing – it’s amazing.”
When Martha and her children arrived in San Antonio, they stayed with Alicia Alvarez-Calderon, Senior Director of Bilingual/ESL, until they could find their own place.
“They took us in like family.”
The kindness, generosity and support she witnessed on day one has remained. She loves her new family at Colonial Hills and is so grateful to have found a new home in San Antonio. She's also thankful for mentors like her fellow teacher Lauren Ramirez.
“I don’t know what I would have done without Lauren Ramirez. Everyone at Colonial Hills has been so kind, but she really took me under her wing and helped me so much with everything. She’s been my guardian angel.”
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month #theNEISDway from September 15 - October 15.
