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\u00a0How the hope of representation inspired ESOL students to overcome language barriers and carry their teacher to victory\n<\/em><\/p>\n
At Language Testing International<\/a>, we see the powers of language learning manifest in all different forms, and a person\u2019s decision to improve their language skills can be in response to a multitude of reasons\u2014especially when there is a sense of urgency to do so. Even more powerful than an individual motivated by urgency is the collective power of a group of individuals who are all motivated by the same urgency and work together towards a common goal.<\/p>\n We heard an incredible example of this when we were joined by special guest Johanna L\u00f3pez in a recent episode of LTI\u2019s \u201cLanguage Is Your Superpower<\/a>\u201d podcast.<\/p>\n After being named Teacher of the Year in 2017 by Florida\u2019s Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), Johanna L\u00f3pez became a member of the county\u2019s School Board. She was the first Latina to attain such a prestigious role via landslide vote in 2018. It was the culmination of a strategic campaign fully managed by her former students coupled with an impeccable career as an educator and advocate for marginalized youth.<\/p>\n Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ms. L\u00f3pez moved to Orlando, FL to escape her difficult situation and seek better opportunities for herself. As a disenfranchised Latina woman, Ms. L\u00f3pez is fully aware that she has been tasked by the community she has served for over two decades to be the eyes, ears, and voice of students, parents, and educators\u2014especially those who look like her and who experience the most disparities. To many, including Ms. L\u00f3pez, the announcement of her campaign to become a School Board member meant something far bigger than just a position on the board. It meant the voices of an underserved and underrepresented population could finally have one of their own get a seat at the table.<\/p>\n Ms. L\u00f3pez points out the uphill battle that she and her students had to face throughout the campaign, because of their noticeable accent when speaking in English. \u201cSo, it was a project because with my<\/em> accent, I had to set an example to them, so they\u2019d feel comfortable enough to knock on those doors and try their best to speak English to the community that speaks English, because we also have a big community that speaks Spanish as well, but the majority were English speakers,\u201d said L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Ms. L\u00f3pez\u2019s students were up to the challenge and, in many cases, were surprised by the response from neighborhood residents. A few of the students \u201ceven have stories of senior citizens crying at their door when they\u2019d see that the [students] were trying to speak English and saying, \u2018You have to vote for my teacher. My teacher is going to advocate for me, and for your grandchildren,\u2019 you know, \u2018and for the community.\u2019 So, it was very emotional to everybody,\u201d explained L\u00f3pez.<\/p>\n The effort put forth by Ms. L\u00f3pez\u2019s students inspired English- and non-English-speaking residents alike to rally around her campaign. \u201cYou know, this is about working hard, not only for English language learners, but also, for all the people who believe in inclusion and diversity,\u201d said L\u00f3pez. \u201cSo, for the first time, that seat won by 40,000 votes. That seat usually won by 9,000, 12,000. But, with the mobilization of English-language learners \u2026 even the signs were designed by students. Everything was based on my students\u2019 intelligences, skills, and ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what was it that Ms. L\u00f3pez told her students to help them face their fears of communicating with complete strangers in English, their second language? She explains that \u201cduring my campaign, I also told my students, \u2018You know what? My accent is an asset. And that is the way you have to see it. You know, when you speak and you have an accent, everybody is going to know that you speak another language. So, you are bilingual. So, you have to feel proud about your roots and you have to be proud about your accent, because it\u2019s not the accent what is important. It\u2019s not being a perfectionist. It\u2019s about having the commitment and it\u2019s about passion. It\u2019s about the community, it\u2019s about the engagement, it\u2019s about being transparent. People know when you are committed and transparent with them. They know when you\u2019re honest, and when you try your best, and they value that.\u2019 And they forget about the accent… And if they say something, it\u2019s something that is going to help us to be better and empower us to achieve the goal that we are looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n