Enrique's Journey by https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg This is the small group, book club circle where you will discuss ideas with other educators who read the same book. Please post a reflection about how the content of this book relates to your teaching practice. For example, share specific examples, events and quotes from the text that were significant to you or caused you to consider more deeply the experiences your students may have had. Post one reflection (2-3 paragraphs) by Thursday, August 1st and respond to at least two other posts by Thursday August 8th. en-us 2019-07-16 15:16:36 UTC 2025-12-28 17:34:33 UTC hello@padlet.com Before reading this book I never knew how dangerous of a journey it was for illegal immigrants to make the journey to the United States. To know that there are illegal immigrants in our community that have made this journey causes me to even have a greater appreciation for them and the hardships they have gone through. To risk your life, limbs, family, etc. for a chance at a better life is a noble idea to me because they again, are risking it all to try to make things better for themselves. noonanr1 https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372593690 Even if some of the immigrants in our school did not come here illegally, there is a chance that some of their family members or extended family members did. From reading the book, I can see the intense strain that this journey put on all members of a family. 
Lastly, if I were to relate any part of the book that would reflect on my teaching practices it would be the chapters that speak on how giving certain cities and churches were during the immigrants journey. There were specific stretches of the immigrants journey where some of them didn't know if they could survive due to the harsh area they were in or due to the citizen who were completely against immigrants. Then, along the journey the immigrants encountered cities and churches that were so willing to give to the immigrants. They would throw clothes, food, drinks, etc. onto the train in order to support the immigrants journey. The amount of hope these cities and churches gave the immigrants reminds me of the hope we can also give them as educators in the United States. There are some people who will look down on them, just as in the book, however, there are so many more people who are willing to lift these individuals up. ]]> 2019-07-29 17:20:19 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372593690 https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372693526 Prior to reading Enrique's Journey, I was fairly unfamiliar of the dangers that many migrants face trying to get to the United States. With hopping train tops, dealing with starvation and dehydration, gangs, and corruption, the odds are stacked against them before they even set out for their journey north. 

From reading this book, I have come away with a better understanding of why people would take these risks; better opportunities. For those students that have come to America illegally with their families, there is a high possibility that they have experienced death at some point on their journey, whether is was someone they knew or a stranger. They have had to deal with some type of traumatic event. With that in mind, as educators there has to be some way that we can help them coup and express themselves to aid in their healing process.


]]> 2019-07-30 14:14:22 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372693526 dccrosby https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372709388 One of the reasons I choose to read Enrique’s Journey over the other options is because of a student I taught last school year.  Enrique's journey to America is very similar to his.  He was an unaccompanied minor who traveled from Honduras to the United States border to be reunited with his mother.  He also had to make numerous attempts before he was successfully across. Prior to him coming to our grade, we had a meeting to summarize his background.  In that meeting, we were told that his family relations were a bit strained, especially with his mother.  He had shown signs of abandonment issues and was outwardly hesitant to trust others. We were also told that he had a younger sister who he barely spoke with.

After reading Enrique’s Journey, I was able to understand so much more about my student.  Reading about another boy who had similar experiences gave me clarity to the trauma that occurred before, during and after the trip to the United States. The strain between Enrique and his mother and sister when he finally reunites explained a lot to me.  Enrique has a lot of feelings that he isn’t sure how to process and on top of it, is thrown into a completely different life than he had in Honduras.  The shock and trauma have lasting effects- this shows with both Enrique and my student. 


]]> 2019-07-30 16:49:33 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372709388 Enrique's Journey Reflection garoberts1 https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372815884 This book had a number of emotional ups and downs. There were points of hope, despair, disgust, and strength. Enrique's Journey only leads me to further believe, and hopefully teach in a a way that recognizes, that all of our students have their own story. By the age of 10 our students can go through amazing and possibly horrific journeys. 

This felt more like a story about trauma and its impacts on an individual/family than specifically a story about immigration. But despite that Enrique's story inspires. It's hopeful. Even though the deck is stacked against him and the anger built up through the years towards his mother Enrique doesn't give up. There are points of humanity when Enrique falls into drugs or drinking or his own anger for Lourdes' decision to leave him but his love and ambition prevails. He makes the journey against all odds, he crosses the border, he finds his mother, and he turns his life around. He does well for his children. He wants to be a good father. 

Our kids' are going to make mistakes. Many will come from rough backgrounds but they can still be driven and they can still be inspired.They each have their own story and they're probably tougher than I'll ever know. Trauma can't be erased but neither can somebody's will. ]]> 2019-07-31 13:13:53 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/372815884 https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/373003682 While I knew the journey to America was difficult, I was unaware of exactly how dangerous it was. The fact that despite knowing this, thousands of immigrants still set out to make this journey for the possibility of a better life for themselves and their families. Now that I have more insight of the challenges and dangers one will face along the way, I cannot say with confidence that I myself would be willing to do the same. It just goes to show you the courage and strength these people have. It's not only physically strenuous, but puts your emotional and mental well being to the ultimate test.

My current school has a heavy Hispanic population. Some students only know of their family's struggles getting to America from the stories they've heard. Others remember bits and pieces of the journey, while few can explain in detail the horrible things they saw and experienced. I am always so interested in hearing from those students who remember enough from their experience and willing to share. However, now that I know in more detail how dangerous the journey to America can be, I want to know how we as educators can better support the emotional needs of these students. We are always so anxious for our ESOL students to make progress with their language, but we need to ensure their emotional state allows them to be available to learn.

Last year I had a newcomer from El Salvador who transitioned very well and made a ton of progress rather quickly. This particular student was sent to America to stay with extended family until his parents could come here legally. For the majority of the school year he was happy, eager to please, and social. Both he and his cousin, whom he was living with, were in my class, but he showed great effort to be independent. However, towards the end of the school year I began to notice frustration, lack of patience, and even aggression. He was very private about his feelings and wouldn't openly share that anything at home had changed. But, I can only imagine the emotional strain he must have felt being separated from his immediate family. Yes, he was staying with family, but we all know it's not the same. Like Enrique the separation wears on you and as time goes on it only gets more strenuous. Looking back, I wish I pushed more for him to open up to someone about what he was feeling.]]> 2019-08-02 00:46:07 UTC https://padlet.com/daturner/h22ibywbhygg/wish/373003682