After being away from Massachusetts for 12 years, I decided to return. Like most people relocating, I needed a job, so I began to seek employment in teaching. After sending out numerous resumes and applications, and receiving no positive response, I decided to "cold call" every school district that I could until someone would hire me. Off I went from Fall River to Taunton, and every school district in between-yet the response was, "Sorry, we're not hiring."

When I got to Taunton, very discouraged, I said to the principal, "I've applied to so many schools and no employment, there must be someone who will hire me; I am bilingual." He then asked, "What language do you speak?" I told him that I speak the Cape Verdean language of Crioulo. He said, "Go to Brockton, there are lots of Cape Verdeans there." He gave me the address of the Adult Learning Center (ALC) at the Brockton High School, and off I went. By this time I'm thinking, "Is this another rejection that I have to face?" I drove to Brockton and parked across the street from the high school, and finally after 30 minutes of debating with myself if I should make the approach, get ready for another rejection, or just go for it, I decided to go in.

Job Offer!
I spoke with the secretary, who then introduced me to the director of the ALC, Linda Braun. We discussed teaching, the ALC, and she then told me, "This must be an omen because I just happen to need another teacher. Would you be interested in filling out an application?" After filling out the application, I returned home (with just enough gas to get back home and what was left of my bank account-two dollars. By the time I arrived home, I'd received a call from Linda, offering me the job. Once I hung up the phone, I threw papers up in the air and yelled, "Yahoo! Yahoo! I have a job."

Reasons for Staying
When I see learners entering the classroom for the first time, not knowing a word of English, then progress to a higher level with self-confidence, self-assurance, joy, peace, laughter, more knowledge, wisdom, strength as a team leader, team player, and/or possess the thirst to learn more....

When I see learners not taking their breaks so that they can ask me questions, read books or just walk around the classroom to associate learned vocabulary with pictures, posters, and photographs.... When I hear learners say to me, "I took a bus by myself; I talked to my child's teacher; I went to the mall and bought something without anyone talking for me...."

These are the reasons I stay with ABE: to give all I can to others so that they might learn and help this country to become a better place.

Beverly Gonsalves teaches at the New Bedford Adult Learning Center. She can be reached at: TeechaESOL@aol.com