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Denver Hires Immigrant Teachers
posted by: Ruthie | April 15, 2014, 07:58 PM   


The Denver Public School District made headlines this week for reaching out to immigrant graduates who came to the United States illegally as children
for their teaching potential. Advocates cite their unique ability to relate to students as a primary goal of this controversial program.


For example, Kareli Lizarraga, a 22-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate, grew up in California and Arizona after her parents illegally emigrated from Mexico when she was 4. A new teacher in the urban district, she still remembers the shock and isolation she felt when she first came to the U.S. and was unable to communicate with her peers or teachers due to the language barrier.

Ms .Lizarraga is just one example of the many teachers who are now qualified to teach in the U.S., under President Obama’s
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy.  Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg said he hopes to hire more teachers like Ms. Lizarrga, who will be especially capable of reaching the state’s many bilingual and immigrant children.

"Anything that touches on immigration generates a level of attention and controversy," Boasberg told the Associated Press in an interview. "But for us, this is about finding the very best teachers for our kids."

Ms. Lizarraga said her language skills have helped her immensely in communicating with her students’ parents as well as relating to their own personal struggles.

What do you think about Denver’s effort to hire immigrant teachers? Do you think these teachers will make a greater impact?
Comment below.

 

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