GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — She started out telling stories as a journalist in Colombia, South America. Today, the story is all about her because she’s our newest Teacher of the Week.
She teaches Spanish to first graders, which is why they wanted to say congratulations in Spanish.
Nora Vargas walked into her classroom to see the 13 ON YOUR SIDE crew and her students gathered by the door yelling “felicidades.”
She said, “It’s a surprise for sure. It was a surprise because I didn’t expect it. I just can’t believe – I still can’t believe that I’ve been nominated for this and then, honestly, it’s an honor.”
She screamed in joy once she realized what was happening.
“It’s an honor to be nominated for something that I love to do,” she said.
She didn’t start out teaching.
“I was a journalist in my country,” said Vargas.
Nor did she start here in the U.S..
She explained, “I’m from Colombia, South America. I moved to the States many years ago.”
After becoming a mom, she says that sparked her interest in teaching.
“I went back to school. I got my certification in elementary,” said Vargas, who double-majored in Spanish and elementary studies at Calvin University.
Now, she’s helping first graders at Legacy Christian become bilingual.
“Our Spanish Immersion Program is where our kids are immersed in the Spanish language and the Spanish culture,” said Curt DeYoung, the principal at Legacy Christian School. “By the time they’re done in eighth grade, they’ll be fluent in Spanish.”
Vargas said, “We teach the culture, we teach the traditions, we eat Colombian food.”
“We’re blessed with teachers from here from West Michigan in the program, but also we have teachers from Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic,” said DeYoung.
Giving these students more exposure.
DeYoung said the experience “just allows all of our kids to understand better what is outside this West Michigan area with the different cultures and appreciate the diversity.”
He also said it gives students a leg up on their futures.
“Opens some different doors for them when they get into college or jobs to have that second language,” said DeYoung.
All thanks to the dedication of our teachers.
“Our students, they became our family because they spend more time with us than they spend with their families,” said Vargas. “I feel really touched because I know a lot of teachers that they deserve to be in this position.”
Principal DeYoung said, “They do have an impact on kids. They’re making a difference and it’s good work that they’re doing.”
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.