Dora-Aldina Chavarria is teaching English to third grade students at Flowery Elementary School, in a special immersion program aimed at making them bilingual by age five.
Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun
Dora Noton
Special to the Sun
Dora-Aldina Chavarria came from Mexico 14 years ago, unable to speak a word of English. It didn’t last long.
“I started school (in Marin County) with no English, and by age 13, I was already in college prep classes,” she said
Her trajectory from there was straight up.
This fall Chavarria, a recent graduate of Sonoma State University, is a new teacher at Flowery Elementary School, teaching third grade students English in a special immersion program aimed at making them bilingual by grade five.
The program’s focus is on teaching basic subjects completely in Spanish during the early grades and gradually increasing the instruction in English during the next two years.
Chavarria is committed to the idea that children should be fluent in both languages. She said the school is continually looking for ways to improve the immersion program, one of only two in Sonoma County,
She said she loves teaching, particularly the impact she has on children’s day-to-day lives. Whether it’s just saying hi and checking in with a particular student, or helping them with their school work, Chavarria is motivated to be a positive influence in their life. She describes the children at Flowery as bright, polite and respectful.
When Chavarria has yard duty her students will come up to her, say hi and want to play.
“They want to play with me, especially because I’m their new teacher,” she explained happily.
Chavarria puts in long hours. She commutes from Rohnert Park, arriving at Flowery at 8 a.m., working up to three hours after school gets out at 3:10 p.m., preparing for the next day.
She is not entirely satisfied with the program the kids are getting.
“There are so many state tests we have to prepare for I feel cramped for time,” said Chavarria.
When asked how long she plans on staying at Flowery, Chavarria said, “for as long as they want me.” One of the many positive things Chavarria said about the school was that its working environment is very professional and motivating – “Everybody works together.”
