An English language learner forges a path from student to substitute bilingual tutor
Just a couple of months into taking English classes at Fontana Adult School (FAS), Maria Caro found herself starting a new career as a substitute bilingual tutor.
Caro had moved to Fontana from Anaheim in 2023 and began looking for new work and new opportunities, which led her to FAS and its English as a second language classes that summer.
Caro has now worked as a substitute bilingual tutor for the Jurupa Unified School District since September 2023 and plans on returning to FAS to complete her GED, since her high school diploma is from Mexico.
Making the decision to return to school was not easy for Caro, but she says it was important for her to gain better employment opportunities. Now that she is older, Caro says her brain is more “asleep” than it once was but advises others not to wait on chasing their goals.
“Don’t lose time, if you think, ‘Oh I want to be doing this,’ do it immediately.”
Maria Caro, Student, Fontana Adult School
“Don’t lose time, if you think, ‘Oh I want to be doing this,’ do it immediately,” she says. “Don’t say ‘tomorrow,’ ‘maybe next time’ or ‘in the future,’ say ‘I’m going to do this.’”
Caro says she was happy to learn that FAS offered many educational opportunities.
“When I first enrolled, I was a little frustrated, I feel like I didn’t know too much,” Caro says. “But when I started learning and knew I was capable, it was a difference. I’m more confident and my dreams are different.”
Now, Caro says her newfound confidence helps her every day. Caro hopes to finish her GED courses soon so she can seek a promotion to a full-time tutor at JUSD.
“What I like about the school: They motivate you to do it,” she says. “I’m going to get hired permanently, that’s my goal,” Caro says.
To learn more about the Fontana Adult School, visit https://www.fusd.net/adultschool.
Written by Chris Woodard
| Regions | Classes & Topics |
|---|---|
| Southern California | English as a Second Language |
