Stanley Gonzalez beats the odds and goes to college
|
Posted By: Lena Almstrom on May 05, 2024 Stanley Gonzalez’s journey to the University of the District of Columbia’s Van Ness Campus has been filled with challenges related to his English language barrier. Against all odds, Gonzalez is striving to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from the College of Arts and Sciences to work in the District public school system as a bilingual counselor to help immigrants, just like he is thriving academically and in life. Gonzalez is passionate about helping immigrant students and their families overcome English language barriers and challenges he faced in DC public high school, at publicly funded career learning centers, the workplace in construction, and now in his college journey. Gonzalez came to the United States in 1998 at 14 years old to join his parents and younger brother in Columbia Heights, DC. He spoke only Spanish at that time. In the 1980s, El Salvador was ravaged by a bitter civil war. His parents fled the country to pursue a better life and more opportunities for their children. In Washington, DC, they worked to provide for their three children living with their grandparents. Reunification took years, but it happened. “My parents worked very hard for years to pay for us to come to the United States,” Gonzalez said. “My brother and sister were so happy to come here.” Living in Columbia Heights, Gonzalez enrolled in 9th grade at Cardozo Education Campus without understanding English. So did his brother and later his sister. Together, they struggled to learn academic and everyday English. It was a rough start. “I did not speak a word in English,” said Gonzalez. “I struggle to communicate in English, but I got help from the Spanish-speaking school counselors.” That helps him to navigate high school life. With built-in English language support classes, he managed to learn English. He graduated from Cardozo with little understanding of what it takes to attend college or how to pay for it. After graduation, Gonzalez passed on going to college. Instead, he went to a trade school for carpentry and began working in the construction industry to help his parents financially. By 2007, he decided to take another look at going to college. His enrollment at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, an adult public charter school with its main campus in Columbia Heights, sparked this hope. There, he started all over again, taking high-level English classes. “I made up my mind to do my best to be successful this time because Carlos Rosario has a lot of bilingual support teachers and support staff to help,” Gonzalez said of his determination to return to school life as a working adult wanting to achieve his college dream. In 2013, Carlos Rosario opened its workforce development campus, Sonia Gutierrez Campus, near Rhode Island Metro Station. This adult education center provides job training to prepare immigrant students for jobs that are in high demand in the Washington area. Job training areas include the culinary arts, healthcare, education, and information technology. Gonzalez felt drawn to the adult program to improve his life. It was very different from his high school years, and he liked the adult learning environment and exposure to many different career pathways. Gonzalez then moved on to the Sonia Gutierrez Campus in pursuit of enrolling in the school’s Bilingual Teacher Assistant Program. Still trying to be more confident in his abilities to do college academic work, he took Microsoft Office and computer classes to prepare him for the teaching rigor of the program. The school offers college preparatory advanced English classes, which he enrolled in. There, Gonzalez met his favorite English teacher, who changed his life. Mr. Ladd, known to students, is an English teacher with a journalistic and linguistic background. Gonzalez felt at home in his classroom, excelling in learning English, even taking Mr. Ladd’s class twice in one academic year. With a better understanding and command of academic English, Gonzalez made the leap to pursue the Bilingual Teacher Assistant program and graduate from it. Then, in 2020, he headed to the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Community College, which opened in 2009 and is now located near Fort Totten Metro Station. In no time, Gonzalez completed his Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2023. With that accomplishment, Gonzalez transferred to UDC Van Ness Campus to pursue his bachelor’s degree in education. Now, he is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Human Development and he enjoys every minute of his success to reaching this far in life. Gone are the days when he did not speak English, just Spanish, when he arrived in the United States. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Lena Almstrom
Digital Media Specialist, Lena Digital Media - College Not Listed - class of 2025 Member Since September 2023 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
What does “verified” mean on an Airbnb account?On an Airbnb account, “verified” means that Airbnb has confirmed the identity or information of the user. This can include:
Email verification – confirming your email address.
Phone number verif ...more
Harry Canee • 52 Views • February 3rd, 2026 |
 |
2026 honors and Deans ListHonored to be recognized on the 2026 Honors List and Dean’s List. Grateful for the journey and excited to keep pushing forward ...more
Camren Caldwell • 51 Views • February 2nd, 2026 |
 |
2026 honors and Deans ListHonored to be recognized on the 2026 Honors List and Dean’s List. Grateful for the journey and excited to keep pushing forward ...more
Camren Caldwell • 58 Views • February 2nd, 2026 |
 |
Who’s cafeteria has the best H2oHow many times do I simply request agua from the Cafe
My beverage of choice in college had to be fruitopiA
Water from the fountain YES
Shower water NO
Figi Water https://share.google/t2Hrz1rpg9 ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61 Views • February 1st, 2026 |
 |
S.P.I.T. Spoken Poets InTellectualizing™ Honoring Nikki! -Call for Submissions-S.P.I.T. Spoken Poets InTellectualizing™ Honoring Nikki!
-Call for Submissions-
Gumbo for the Soul Publications is in the process of developing our first “strictly poetry” publication by the vision ...more
Beverly Johnson • 55 Views • February 1st, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,795,289 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,104 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 74,472 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,396 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
