Valley Star

Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Dan Villasenor Dan Villasenor / Valley Star ON TOP OF THE WORLD - ESL teacher Norma Smith received a teaching award at the 39th annual Teachers of English to Speakers Other Languages´ Conference.

Norma Smith, a part time teacher at Valley College, attended the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages' 39th Annual Convention recently where she was honored as an outstanding English language teacher.

Smith, who is in her 50s, moved to United States five years ago and has been teaching half of her life. Born in Philippines, she traveled to Singapore where she taught ESL and later lived in Papa New Guinea, where she taught at the Teacher Education College.

"I started out wanting to be a doctor," Smith said. "When I finished my bachelor's, I decided to study English. My family are either dentists or teachers, and I choose to be a teacher."

Speakers of other Languages first took notice of Smith after receiving a letter from Consuelo Escobar, one of Smith's students. The letter describes Smith as an "excellent teacher" from who she didn't just learn pronunciation and grammar but also some citizenship knowledge. "Going to her class was interesting because the environment of the classroom was really fun."

Feeling extremely surprised but honored by the letter, she believes that hearing how much her students have learned is why she's a teacher.

"It's most rewarding when your students can speak English and come back saying they are now employed and successful," Smith said.

Lynn Brower, director of GAIN/CalWORKs at Valley believes that the honor is well deserved.

"It takes a special kind of a teacher to teach the beginning English class, which she does with enthusiasm," Brower said.

As a way to show her students their accomplishments, Smith makes sure to take many photographs during the different tasks they perform during the year. At the end of the year she turns those photos in to collages, which she later places around the room. The time she takes to involve and help her class is why she is so highly appreciated by her colleagues and students alike.

"She teaches a very friendly class," said Yoko Kamiguchi, an accounting student at Valley. "She is patient and listens to her students. Always trying to understand what we are trying to express."

The convention was held in San Antonio, Texas on March 30 through April 2 in celebration of World Teachers' Day by recognizing those English language educators whose commitment and efforts are changing the lives of their students and colleagues.

When asked what makes her stand out as a teacher for so many to find her deserving of the honor she receive she credits it to being compassionate.

"I have a motto: your students won't remember you for your brilliance but for your compassion," she said.

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