Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here this morning. I’m mindful of how sacred this time in the week is to everyone. Sunday is a time that we come together as a community, a time of rest, a time of family, a time of harmony, and most importantly a time of love. I am honored that you have allowed me into this beautiful space with you on this Sunday morning. My name is Viviana Cordero Garcia, and I am the Director of Graduate Support Program at Esperanza Academy, a tuition-free, independent middle school for girls in Lawrence, Massachusetts. I want to thank this congregation for its support of our students, our school, and our mission. Thank you so much for welcoming me to the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Today, I am well into my second year at Esperanza Academy and my first year as Director of the Graduate Support Program, and both as a human being in this world and an educational professional, it’s been a transformative time in my life. The stories I share today are connected to themes of service, love, community, and belonging… all of which are embedded in my personal journey in education. Before I tell you about our Esperanza community, our graduates, and our philosophy in Graduate Support, I want to share a little bit of my story with you.
I was a toddler when my mother and I arrived in New York City. Although most of our family lived in Ecuador, my mother knew that the American dream was one that she had to pursue for herself but mostly for me. We lived in various Queens communities before settling in Jackson Heights, a vibrant immigrant city much like Lawrence. We spoke little English but figured it all out together. As a single parent, my mother worked multiple jobs but always found time to make dinner, eat with me, and teach me to pray at night. My mother worked hard to learn everything she could about how to raise a young woman in the city, raise herself, and continue to support her 8 siblings even from countries apart. When my uncles, aunts, and other relatives began to immigrate to New York, she welcomed them, happily opened the doors of our one-bedroom apartment, fed, facilitated job searches, and did it all with such grace and love. From an early age, I learned what it meant to give, to serve others, and do good work that is not just for my own benefit but for the benefit of others.
My mother instilled in me values such as learning, service, kindness, determination, and empathy. She exemplified these same values countless times and when I embarked on my college journey, these values helped me stay resilient. Shortly after earning my bachelor’s degree in 2009 from a small private liberal art’s institution, I learned that my college experience and challenges were not unique. My experiences as an Ecuadorian immigrant, an English-language learner, first-generation college student from a low-income background and a single-parent household, led me on the path to becoming an educator.
After college, I was provided opportunities to work at educational nonprofits and grassroots organizations. In my mid-20s, I found myself again reflecting on the importance of community and service. My community helped me to identify my gifts and passions as I worked directly with youth. My identities helped me relate to others and build relationships, and I began to trust that God had given me unique gifts, a passion for education and equity, and the opportunities and communities to exercise these gifts.
The more work I did with underrepresented youth across the country, the more I felt I needed to grow my knowledge in the education field. Through the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers, I received a fellowship opportunity that led me to earning my Master’s in Higher Education at a large research institution. I was able to develop my facilitation skills and knowledge in education systems. My previous work in New York City informed my studies of equity and inclusion and systems of oppression in graduate school. Throughout those two years, I grew more aware of and inspired by our power, strength, and resilience to create change by working toward a vision of justice.
My move to Lawrence and arrival at Esperanza marked the beginning of a beautiful journey for me. I began to see clearly that my educational journey and life experiences have allowed me to live out my call to love in every sphere of my life… This was my vocation.
At Esperanza Academy, my role allows me to work with Black and Brown girls from the time they enter middle school to when they are considering college and career opportunities after completing post-secondary programs. Together we discuss best-fit schools, how to navigate school resources in high school and beyond, their roles in their families, complex familial pressures, attending school as a first-generation student, and what it means to be comfortable in their own skin. At Esperanza, we think critically with students, faculty and staff, and community partners about the inequitable social patterns and institutions around us, analyze forms of oppression, practice restorative justice, and then prepare to build community to make our relationships stronger and spaces more just.
Esperanza is a community I am proud to be a part of because I am not doing this work alone- and we know social justice work is collaborative at its core. Our team believes that girls from Lawrence deserve a good education, should feel empowered and be provided the necessary tools to go into the world to be themselves, happy, and successful. This past year, I witnessed our students being resilient, taking risks, growing, and returning to Esperanza to pay it forward. The following stories are just a few of the many we are proud.
Sarah, a recipient of a full tuition scholarship at Brooks School, has maintained a high GPA and joined the volleyball team during her first semester of high school. She has just discovered crew and cannot wait to try out for the team this spring.
Aleene, another incredible young woman, was awarded a scholarship to attend Waring School, a French immersion independent school. She is already planning her trip to France where she will get to practice her French speaking skills for the four weeks she is there.
Keahilani joined the Sparhawk community as a tenth grader this year and has impressed the faculty and staff there with her ability to organize. She leads community service projects every month and has created the school’s first dance team. 14 peers have joined the team already.
Katherine is in her final year at Holderness School and worked hard to complete the long college application process earlier than most this past fall. She has already received acceptances to St. John’s University, Fordham University, Clark University, and a couple of the University of Massachusetts schools.
Natalie, who is in her third year at Centre college on a full tuition Posse scholarship, is living and studying in Japan this semester. She’s preparing to pursue a law degree after college and is excited to be learning how laws are created and governments work in other countries. She’s shared that Esperanza taught her to take advantage of all opportunities and get out of her comfort zone. Nat has not left Japan yet and is already planning on returning after college.
Nurys is graduating from the College of Holy Cross with honors this year. During her winter break she applied to and was offered a job again at the Lawrence Mayor’s office as an aid. She serves as a community liaison and feels blessed to be able to use her bilingual skills to give back to the Lawrence community.
Our graduates are out in the world being rock stars.
In many ways, my role as Director of Graduate Support is my best one yet. I am able to provide support AND celebrate our girls for their community cultural wealth. Through our Graduate Support Program’s 12-year commitment to all girls, my team and I provide socio-emotional and academic support for all our students and graduates. This is a big responsibility and one I do not take lightly. I am motivated to continue this work by Sarah, Aleene, Keahilani, Natalie, Katherine, Nurys, and the other 154 graduates and their families.
I am reminded that God places us in particular communities of believers. That He expects us to live interdependently, so those who benefit from our vocational living also invest in our vocational development with their wisdom and affirmation. I realize that Esperanza girls benefit from my vocational living and also recognize that they make up one of my communities of believers. They constantly provide me with the wisdom and affirmation I need to do this labor of love.
My commitment to creating more inclusive spaces and more positive student experiences has been strengthened throughout these two years at Esperanza. It has been strengthened through every conversation, call, text, and hug from graduates, through my relationships with community members and supporters of Esperanza, and through my experience of living and working in Lawrence, a place that, much like my beautiful Jackson Heights in Queens, NY, is full of immigrants, light, resilience, and hope. There is truly nothing more beautiful than being part of a community that perseveres.
As I think about our mission at Esperanza, our students, our families and our work in Graduate Support, I am reflecting on these words from first John chapter 3 verse 18. I invite you to reflect with me.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Thank you very much.