Ivania Del Carmen Lipari

I know by my own experience how hard it can be to learn a second language and excel as a bilingual student.

My name is Ivania Del Carmen Lipari I am a first-generation post-graduate college student, a mother of two college students this fall, and I am working as a bilingual translator for the Napa Valley Unified School District in the Special Education Program. I am a returning student who found her calling for teaching, after working in the American Canyon Schools for 13 years as an instructional assistant with special education students. As a parent and professional I assumed the responsibility to be a positive role model, not only for my students but for my own children as well. I am here at Sonoma State University studying in the Spanish Master’s Program and still learning. I am fortunate to work for the tutoring department here at Sonoma State and tutor Spanish students, spring 2019 and fall 2019. It gives me another perspective of how to help students achieve their best. In the community, I have volunteered many hours to the many groups of extracurricular activities that my children belonged to: swim team, water polo, and choir, for the past six years. I support all these students in their extracurricular activities because I know that it helps them achieve better academic results in the end and makes them better students and empowered people in our society.

My challenges here at Sonoma State have been that I am a commuting student and I must travel far to attend school. This precious time could have been used more productively by studying or preparing for my classes instead of driving to and from the campus at least two hours each day. Another challenge that I encountered was trying to coordinate my core classes for my major with my rigid work schedule.

Sonoma State’s diverse community was a positive and welcoming body that integrated friendship and learning for me. I was able to learn from my classmates as well as sharing my experiences with them.

All my professional and volunteer work experience has inspired me to continue working with children. I wish to continue in the field of education and hope to inspire students to pursue their dreams in whatever they may be. I want to continue my education goals to obtain a teaching credential and help not only school age kids but also adults learn English. I know by my own experience how hard it can be to learn a second language and excel as a bilingual student. Hopefully, I can be a role model for them and help inspire them to work hard for their dream.