INTERVIEW #1 FEATURING WILDA RAMOS

December 6, 2020 Buffalo Latino Village

INTRODUCTION: The reason I chose to do my work in education, as a child, I was caught between two languages. I knew I was smart but would spend the better part of my early life trying to figure out how to express that fact. Public school did not know what to do with me- indicating to my parents at one time that my difficulty in expressing myself and slow reading meant I was “behind”. Not a new problem though, a girl who speaks two languages but who sometimes, will not speak at all.

Both my paternal and maternal grandmothers were English as second language students, one speaking Sicilian at home and the other Spanish. Buffalo Public Schools educated my maternal grandmother, a bi-lingual first-generation Sicilian American, in the 1930s. She a Sicilian speaking child, I am sure knowing the great pause that comes about you – when your picking between two languages. Though we never talked about it. Dual language a theme in my heritage and academic interests. When I started my professional journey inside Buffalo Public Schools, I looked for people. People, who knew that kids like me, were smart and we were worth fighting for. Then I met Wilda Ramos. She was just what I was looking for and that’s why her story is our first LatinaHerstory. Wilda’s interview documents her distinct Latina educational leadership inside a system with a rich history of supporting bi-lingual, and multilingual children, in her voice.

Interview with Wilda Ramos

Wilda Ramos, Language Assessment Coordinator — Buffalo Public Schools

1.What motivated you to become an educator?

I had good educators that inspired me to become an educator and believe that I was going to be successful in life, starting with my parents, who inspired me to get educated and to contribute to society. As an adult, when I moved to Buffalo, all my friends were educators. As I was working at the University at Buffalo as a Spanish-speaking clerk-typist, my supervisor at the time, Dr. Lillian Malavé asked me to help with the registration committee at the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) Conference (I have attended the NYSABE conference since then). At that conference, I was able to experience the educational environment and what educators do to become better teachers and leaders. Participants worked together to discuss new practices, policies, and different strategies to teach English language learners how to maintain and value their first language and also learn English. This motivated me to become an educator.

2. What was your experience like as a student?

Education was a priority with my household growing up. We were nine siblings and eight of us achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher education. I moved to Buffalo, NY when I was 21 years old from Puerto Rico, I already had a 9-month old baby. I had completed an Associate Degree in Secretarial Sciences from the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico but did not speak or understand English at an academic/professional level, for that reason, I couldn’t work outside the house. I was not able to communicate with people that spoke only English, for that reason, I decided to go back to college. I attended Erie Community College for the purpose of learning English but decided to continue my studies at the University at Buffalo shortly thereafter. I finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Arts. After that, I received a scholarship based on academic achievement that covered my tuition, fees, and books, which included a monthly stipend of $400 to finish my Masters in Elementary Education with a minor in Bilingual Education. I was able to experience learning English as Second-Language and went through the same experiences that students go through when they enter US schools without the English language base (supposedly) in mainstream US households.

3. Did you like school/learning?

I loved going to school and learning new things. I also enjoyed the social part of being in school.

4. How did your educational experience form your own educational leadership?

I was fortunate to have great leaders in my life starting with my mother and my father. My parents were my first educators. They taught me responsibility, and love for learning, and perseverance. The experience as a graduate student at the University at Buffalo, and leaders like Dr. Lillian Malavé and other leaders from the New York State Association for Bilingual Education paved my way to be an educational leader. I have been a member of NYSABE since 1989 and was elected to the Delegate Assembly and the Executive Board. In 2007-2008, I became the New York State President of the organization. All these experiences have helped me develop educational leadership.

5. When did you enter public education, what was the year, what was the role?

I attended public education all my life from Kindergarten to grade 12. I was a clerk typist from 1989 to 1995 -first at the University at Buffalo for a year. After that, I worked as a clerk-typist with the Buffalo Public Schools. In 1996, I started working as a teacher. I worked as a support teacher for 11 years and worked as a Language Assessment Coordinator during Summers since 2004 and full-time from 2015 until now.

6. What was your last role?

Language Assessment Coordinator

7. What was your favorite/most informative role?

Each one of my roles has impacted my life. My favorite was being a teacher because of the impact you can have on students. My most informative role is the one I’m doing now as a Language Assessment Coordinator. I’m able to assess students to help determine the best educational programs for them. Also, I give orientations to parents about the different programs the Buffalo Public Schools offer and provide information pertaining to their rights as parents so they can make informed educational decisions for the child.

8. What advice do you have to educators facing the challenges they have today?

Do not give up! We are living very difficult times and it is very challenging to teach/learn remotely, but you still have a lot of influence on your students and they will appreciate your efforts later on in life.

9. What is your theory on human potential?

My theory on human potential is that each child has potential and it is our job as teachers to help that potential flourish.

10. What is the single most important value/thing to keep in mind while working for children?

Teachers can make or break students. We can make them believe that they can succeed or we can break them by telling them that they have no potential or cannot succeed in life. Make a positive impact in your student’s life. Have empathy and love your students; children can tell if you are sincere. Show the love you have for your students and your profession.

Wilda Ramos is a resident of Buffalo, NY. This is her 30th year with the Buffalo Public Schools. She has three adult children – ages 34, 32, and 21 who are all bilingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural. She may be reached at wramos@buffaloschools.org and/or at 716-422-0097.