Eliana Villarroel Nominated for Touching the Heart Award

Bell Gardens, California. Diane Kissas has nominated Eliana Villarroel for a Touching the Heart Award. When Eliana Villarroel first came to America as a child to have a better life she had to live with relatives, leaving her parents behind in Bolivia. When she arrived, she only spoke Spanish and that proved problematic at school where both teachers and students were neither kind nor understanding of her culture and special needs. At that time, (not so long ago) teachers were not bilingual or sensitive to non-English speaking students. Despite personal and outside obstacles, Eliana was a good student and worked very hard in school. When she received a 100% on an exam, the teacher stated that she cheated and to prove her innocence she had to take the exam again! Much to the teacher’s surprise Eliana received another 100% but instead of being pleased or supportive the teacher said unkind things to her. Over a period of time Eliana mastered the English language and made the decision to become a teacher and commit to helping others learn and achieve.

Eliana Villarroel has been teaching in Los Angeles for over twenty years. She is a kind and understanding teacher who from personal experience knows how difficult it is learn a second language. It’s because of her experiences as a child and her understanding of the power a teacher has on students, that she’s aware of the importance of having a positive and sensitive relationship with students and their special needs, whether they are language barriers or cultural differences.

As a teacher Eliana develops most of her own materials to boost her students knowledge and as a result her students do extremely well in all written activities. One of her creative teaching tools is called ‘the folder’. She makes a folder for each student describing various ways to begin a story and then her students are given the assignment to write stories that are descriptive and informative. These writings are kept in the folders and then become the students personal “books: of short stories and poetry that they can keep forever. Eliana’s students are also encouraged to act out their favorite classic fairy tales, the students always do an excellent job when performing a play on stage and the educational bonus is that their teacher Ms. Villarroel, knows that they’re also developing their reading, verbal and social skills. Eliana religiously attends workshops and conferences to stay abreast of current teaching trends. She always brings her enthusiasm and new skills to her students, instilling them with the tools they need to succeed in school and in life - and that’s what teaching is all about!

These unsung heroes, our teachers are vast in many communities! Do you know of a teacher who is teaching from the heart? Who goes above and beyond their ‘job description’ and who touches the hearts of their students and parents? If so, nominate them for a Touching the Heart Award.

BRIGHT START EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS of Chino, California is a national company who trains parents on literacy, personal wellness, effective parenting and developing success in their children announces the launch of its’ 1st Annual TOUCHING THE HEART AWARDS SHOW to be held on July 17, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, which recognizes and spotlights teachers making a difference in today’s community who envelop the spirit and passion of what teaching is about!!!

According to Bright Start’s President, Gary Sonora Surdam: “From the very beginning of our company, we felt that there is more to being a teacher than just teaching material. It takes a teacher that can touch the hearts of the children to make a difference. A teacher that can touch a child’s heart can change the world. When your life has been touched, you are never the same.”

Anyone can nominate a teacher. Along with your application, submit a 1,500 words-or-less essay about the person nominated. Entries are broken into three (3) categories – teachers in elementary, middle school and high school (3 finalists in each category). Nomination deadline is April 7, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. via U.S. mail or email. Finalists will be notified on May 7th. Two special awards will also be given to teachers: one teacher is selected through submissions by current or former students and the other is a special Legacy Award selected by Bright Start Educational Consultants.

Please visit www.brightstartfamilyliteracy.com for more information about Bright Start Educational Consultants and Touching the Heart Award nominee information and submission forms.