Daniela Azuela: I was born in San Jose, California, and moved to Leon Guanajuato, Mexico, when I was 10 years old. I then returned to San Jose when I was 16 years old. Having to move twice and being an English Language Learner was a challenge. Being a first generation student I had to adapt and learn the educational system, which wasn’t always easy. I now am working towards my Master’s in Counseling at California State University, East Bay. My experiences have inspired me to work with students in providing them with the support and resources they need for a successful post-secondary transition. These experiences also led me to engage in this action research, in which I collaborated with two colleagues to implement a Community College Transition Program for Latina/o seniors.
Becky May: After graduating from the College of Notre Dame with a B.S. degree in Behavioral Science, I worked in social services with senior citizens at the Senior Center of Palo Alto and taught at Washington Hospital and Palo Alto Medical Foundation as a Childbirth Educator. I began working as the Registrar at a high school in Fremont Unified School District in 2008. Since 2015 I have been the Career and College Specialist at this High School. In this action research, I will collaborate with Ms. Azuela as a specialist in career guidance and college information.
Rina Ortega: After immigrating to the U.S. from Honduras 32 years ago, I earned an A.A. degree in Business Administration from Chabot College. Later on, I acquired a B.A. in Spanish with a Minor in American Sign Language. I also obtained my Bilingual Teaching Credential, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and an Administrative Credential from California State University, East Bay. My passion is working with Second Language Learners as a Dual Spanish Immersion School educator, and currently, as an English Language Development Specialist at a high school in Fremont, California.
