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Hello everyone! My name is Fatemeh Raisesmaili but I prefer you call me Saba. I’m from Iran. At the end of 2019, I could come to the U.S. as a permanent resident and I had two short trips to San Diego to visit my family. I love this city because of the weather and so beautiful nature, especially the wonderful beaches. I hadn’t seen the ocean before.

This year I decided to settle in San Diego in September. It was so challenging because, after over 10 years of working as an architect and urban designer in Iran, I had to start everything in this new country. Language, culture, costs, and the requirements of jobs were different, and honestly, I was scared. ESL classes and continuing education at community college brought a light into my life. They made me feel of being a member of a community. It is so important for a new immigrant. My teachers Beth Baggage and Karen Hamilton are angles that gave me hope. They helped me to know about the Project Assistant Position. I couldn’t believe how much Beth cares for her students. She helped me to be motivated and prepare for the interview. I could get this job after several months of efforts to find a job. I feel community college is my home. I’m so happy to work here with you. You are so kind, supportive, and friendly like a family and I can learn many things from you without stress. I’m thankful for this opportunity.  I will do my best to support and make good feelings for the students like me.

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Greetings, everyone! I'm Judy and I'm from Seoul, Korea. (My Korean name is Hyeyoung, so if you want to look me up please type my Korean name) I've been living in San Diego for a year and 3 months now. I moved here to be with my husband who was born and raised in Southern California. I thought this transition would not be too challenging for me because I believed I was familiar with the western culture. But little did I know that living in a foreign country is not only about learning a new language and some new customs. I felt like I was back to being a kid who could not do anything without her parents. I had to learn how to do everything from making doctor’s appointments, choosing good grocery stores  to how the tax system works here. Because I was well settled back in Korea, I was a bit put off by these new changes. Then, I started taking an English class at SDCCE last fall, and I was so happy to learn that I was not alone. Also meeting people from all over the world added excitement to my daily routine. I only started working here last week, but I love how we get to collaborate and work as a team even though we are from all different parts of the globe. Thank you so much for your warm welcome and support, everyone. I’m really grateful for this wonderful and unique opportunity to be part of your team. I’ll do my best to be a great asset to you all.

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Hello everyone, my name is Hector. I'm from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; but I've been living in San Diego for 10 years. When I came to this country my first educational ambition was to improve my English, which led me to enroll in the ESL classes at the San Diego College of Continue Education.
Without a doubt, this decision made me improve my English and built my confidence to be able to express myself in another language, but more importantly, it taught me that making mistakes is part of a learning process.
I can say with certainty, that I have personally experienced the difficult adversities that an immigrant person must deal with when adapting to a new country, but I can also proudly say that I have overcome them; and teaching that to the students that I help is my goal in this job.
I'm currently studying at SDSU, and I plan to continue studying until I get an M.A.
It motivates me to know that my story can inspire many students who are starting in this country like me, but all the things that I did and I'm doing, is not something that only certain people can achieve, but with effort everyone can, and my job more than anything is to help the student find that effort and motivation to start being inspired by their own story and not someone else's.

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Hello everyone, my name is Paola Ramirez, I am from Cali, Colombia. I came to the United States eleven years ago. The place where I arrived and I had the opportunity to meet was Philadelphia, I lived there for seven months and the truth is that I am not a person who likes cold weather so I made the decision to go to Sarasota, Florida and live there for five years. and a half. And then I went to live in Tijuana, Mexico where I lived for two years and finally moved to San Diego than where I am today.
I like to help people especially because they remember me when I arrived in this country for the first time; when looking to enter to study and be part of the system.
I like sports in general and eating; also I enjoy to walk with my pet.
Finally, I am happy to be in this working group and I hope to see you soon physically.

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Hello, my name is Vanesa Espinoza. I'm from Mexico. I'm glad to be working with all of you. This is my first job here in the United States. Let me tell you that when I was interested on this job, I didn't feel confidente because of my English, but teacher Ingrid who was my teacher at that moment, pushed me to do it. I had two job interviews, the first one was in West City campus, and the second was in ECC with teacher Carolyn, she gave me green light to continue. After some months, in Summer 2020, I started working for CE being part of the ECC team.
I'm grateful with all the teacher that I've had during all this years being student (It hasn't been easy). I've learned a lot by them, even for all of you ladies, Liz, Paola, Mayrely, Lily, teacher Carolyn and Sheila, Thank you! I admire your intelligence, patience, some special skills with computers and teaching.
My family is my world. I have 3 children, I enjoy spending time with them. In my free time, I like to cook, preparing their favorite food, I push and support them to do sport.
One of the family plans, it's to travel and know different places in Mexico and the USA, and, why not? maybe one day we can travel to Paris or Venice.

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My name is Hongmei Tang and I prefer you call me Lily. Because it is my favorite flower and it is easy to pronounce and remember. I come from China and I speak Mandarin and Cantonese and English. When I came to the US, “hello” “thank you” and “good-bye” were all the English that I could say. I have a hobby. I love to watch movies,especially Hollywood movies. I learned how to speak English from movies.

Since the pandemic started, I saw my kids study online, and I thought I could learn English online too. I enrolled in the fall SDCCD  ESL class in fall 2020.

My teacher Bob told me the school was hiring in the spring semester and if I was interested in it, I could apply for the job as an IA.

As you all know, I applied for the job, I passed the interview and I have been working as an IA. I’m very appreciative that teacher Bob told me the hiring information. I appreciate my APC Sheila and my ex-APC Carolyn,  my team members Liz, Vanesa, Paola,and Mayreli. You help me a lot and all of you are very very nice people. Our team is just like a family taking care of each other and working together.

This is my first job in the US. It encouraged me to communicate with others and made me more confident living in the US.

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Hello, everyone. My name is Liliia Kobasa. I came from Ukraine 3 years ago. I speak Ukrainian, Russian, and English. I like going hiking and long walks at the beach. Also one of my passions is zoos. It is incredible how in one place you can see animals from all over the world. I can spend hours just by watching them, learning their behavior. San Diego Zoo is my favorite so far.

Since I came to the USA I have attended ESL classes from the Beginner level. We are very lucky to have SDCCD in our city and the possibility to study for free. Because of ESL classes in my life now I am Advanced level student  and even got a  job in a College.

I am a newly hired IA on the ECC team. Since I started working I have met very kind coworkers, who are very patient and hardworking people. Our students are very lucky to be served by people like you. Thank you so much for what you are doing. I feel proud to be a part of the ECC team.

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Hello, my name is Sheila Davis. My dad served 20 years in the U.S. Navy. I was born in San Diego and completed Kindergarten. Then, my family moved to my mom's home country of Philippines (3 yrs) then Japan (7 yrs) then back to San Diego. I'm fascinated by other other cultures. I speak Tagalog (Filipino) fluently and some Spanish.

I'm grateful to be a part of the ECC team. I look forward to our new office in 146A being "open for business" in a few months. Teaching is my passion and supporting teachers is my pleasure. Please let me know if there is anything that our ECC Support Team can do to help you.

Sheila Davis, sdavis@sdccd.edu

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Hi! My name is Liz Rodriguez. I was born in San Diego, but I spent most of my childhood in Tijuana, Baja California Mexico. When I came back to San Diego I registered into the ESL Clases. After that I started working as an Instructional Assistant for the VESL class, then I got my Instructional Assistant contract on 2004. I enjoy working for the ESL Department. This job was my first job and I love it. I love spending time with my family, I also love to travel and see new places.