Author name: Buffalo Latino Village

Education is supposed to be an equalizer. But in the beginning and increasingly now, it is a polarizer. What school you go to, if you have the internet or not, and what zip code you live in indisputably- matters in terms of educational access, and in society’s understanding of your perceived ability to “succeed.”  Accessing education has always been a challenge for us – part of how institutional racism is expressed in this country. For the folks who like definitions- Institutional racism is a form of racism that is embedded as the normal practice within society. Most often – girls were the first to be denied any education. Writing from Puerto Rico, I close my eyes and think of my abuela. She only had a third-grade education, but she was one of the wisest people I will ever know. She taught me “education” is more than whatever “lessons” I would learn in “school”.  Two years before abuela was born in 1921, the United States reported only 41% of the nearly half a million school-age children in Puerto Rico were “enrolled in school”.  In 1945, the year Puerto Rican troops were returning from World War II, only 50% of their sisters and brothers were accessing primary education. Now, ask yourself, where did the other children learn? Who were their teachers if they were not “enrolled” in school? The answer?  Their “educators” were leaders in their own community. Heidi Romer is a community educator, she teaches/advocates for health equity. Additionally, in doing so – she drives progress, speaks for the voiceless, the vulnerable, and those needing care. Heidi’s bright eyes look excited because she believes in possibilities. Heidi has conquered impossibility. As a strong Puerto Rican woman, she says: “Be bold, be brave, be humble. Pursue your dreams, Ask the right questions. Fight for what you want. Be your own cheerleader, advocate, and pastor. Find a way or make one. Love yourself. Love your neighbor and lift up those around you.” March is Women’s History Month, and Heidi, like the rest of the women who inspire me, embodies the idea that living is giving. Her entire life is an example. Values are taught outside and inside of the classroom, and Heidi’s commitment to communicating hers is why you should read her interview on my blog. Our message? Always be open to learning in spaces – outside of the classroom- those lessons are equally as important now, as they were for the women who came before us. INTERVIEW WITH HEIDI ROMER  I attended classes all day and remember running to class because the school was overcrowded and if you were late, you most likely had to sit on the floor.  I also attended night school three times a week and worked on three take-home courses on the weekends called concurrent options.  I graduated in January and gave birth to my first son in March.  I attempted to attend Bronx Community College but realized I needed to work sooner than later.  I went to an open house at the Katharine Gibbs School and asked the counselor, “What is the shortest program, offering guaranteed job placement and making the most money?”  I immediately enrolled in the Legal Executive Assistant program and a few months later I was making more money than most of my friends.  I hated working in a law firm. What was your experience as a student? My student experiences are a bit of a blur.  I attended many schools throughout my life.  I traveled between New York City and South Florida until 9th grade.  Looking back, I can say I was not academically challenged, and subjects came easily to me.  My favorite subject was History, and my concentration was Performing Arts.  I thought I was going to be an actress.  I am laughing out loud just thinking about it.  In 10th-grade I was a victim of a hit-and-run accident.  I am dating myself with what I’m about to tell you, but all I can remember is returning the movie rental Boomerang to Blockbuster Video- – -yes, that was a thing and eating McDonald’s French fries. I was in the ICU for two weeks, spent one month in the hospital, had surgery to repair a broken fibula and ankle, and missed a semester of school.  I spent my junior year making up classes.  Shortly after I was pregnant with my son.  My only goal at the time was to graduate high school early.  “I will either find a way or make one”-Hannibal. I had my second son when I was 20 years old.  After 9-11, I moved to Buffalo, NY, and obtained my degree from SUNY Erie Community College and thought I could be a CEO with AAS.  I am laughing out loud again just thinking about it.  It took me ten years to complete my bachelor’s degree.   Every time my life changed my priorities changed.  Survival of the fittest and cannot stop will not stop sums up what my experiences as a student were like. Did you like school or learning? I did not like going to school or being in a structured environment at all.  In New York City, schools are built like a fortress.  In Florida, schools are built like mini college campuses.  In New York City, you must get yourself to school and that meant buses and trains.  In Florida, gym class was held outside in the blazing sun and heat.  These were real issues for me at the time.  I am laughing out loud again. I love to learn and experience, and explore.  I am a lifelong learner and understand “I know that I know nothing”-Socrates. How did your experience as a student inform your leadership style as an educator? Traveling between the Bronx and Miami throughout my childhood did have its benefits.  My father is German, and my mother is Puerto Rican.  I am a first-generation American.  My best friend at the time was Vietnamese.  My babysitter was Italian.  I was always exposed to diversity,