Latest news with #WoodlandsMiddleSchool
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'We can make it': Teacher's class helps Hispanic students prepare for college, careers
GREENACRES — Carla Rodas didn't know it that day, but she discovered her life's mission the moment her guidance counselor told her she couldn't go to college. Rodas was an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. She soon proved that counselor wrong, becoming the first person in her family to graduate from a U.S. university and then earning a master's degree. Now a teacher, she assures her students at John I. Leonard High School that their DACA or temporary immigration status will not keep them from getting an education or building a career. And she helps them chart a course to make those goals happen. 'It's like going back to that moment and being the teacher that I needed back then,' said Rodas, who has taught for 15 years in Palm Beach County schools. 'A dream come true': Single mom hopes her Habitat home inspires other young parents to try Rodas was teaching at Woodlands Middle School west of Lantana in 2019 when Leonard's former principal, Melissa Paterson, called her. She wanted her to teach the school's Latinos in Action class, which bridges 'the graduation and opportunity gap' for Hispanic students. Leonard was the first Palm Beach County school to start the class, now offered in 16 states, and for good reason: 70% of its students are Hispanic. Rodas had wanted to teach at Leonard ever since her oldest son returned from his first day there celebrating that he no longer had to hide his Tupperware of rice and frijoles during recess. She transferred there in 2020 and immediately felt at home. That Christmas, instead of gift cards, students gave her handmade tamales, arepas and empanadas. One bride's story: Dance, determination helped her beat cancer. Would they help her beat a new health scare? Rodas describes Latinos in Action as teaching pride about culture, preparing students for college or trade school and developing teens into leaders who give back. Students learn to research careers, write resumes and prepare for interviews. They get lessons on how to make a budget, organize community projects and eating etiquette. They also talk about the history and traditions of each Caribbean and Hispanic nation and even go into racial stereotypes and colorism within Latino communities. 'It's a quilt of everything they need to know to feel confident in the real world,' she said. Each year begins with 'Mi Historia." Each student must share their story. Rodas breaks the ice by telling her own. She was 10 when her family fled from the civil war in Guatemala. It flew to San Francisco on tourist visas and overstayed them to start a new life. In Guatemala, her father was a doctor for indigenous tribes and her mother was an accountant. In San Francisco, her mom raised her while working as a housekeeper. She recounts the fear she felt every time her mother laid out a plan just in case 'La Migra" knocked on the door. She ends being accepted to universities, receiving scholarships and obtaining permanent residency. 'You crushed it': How a 7-year-old Gardens boy saved his mom during an epileptic seizure Afterward, Rodas says many students admit they are undocumented, that their parents don't live in the U.S. or recount their journey here. It's important they know their stories and feel proud of where they come from, Rodas said. She reminds them they are diamonds being forged under pressure. 'It wasn't our choice to come here. We were brought here for a better future,' she said. 'But we can make it. We aren't going anywhere.' Rodas loves it when her students wear traditional clothes to graduation, call her when they open college-decision letters and stage events like a community Quinceanera. Her proudest moments, however, come from people like Mario, who crossed the border at age 15 from Guatemala. 'I am proud of you': How 10 girls had the quinceañera they thought they'd never get to enjoy He didn't even speak Spanish when he arrived in Latinos in Action. He picked up broken English on his journey to the U.S and mostly spoke Kaqchikel, an indigenous language. After school, Mario worked in construction and lived in a rented room. In 'Mi Historia,' Mario said he dreamed about going to college, Rodas said. By the time he graduated, Mario had a 4.0 GPA and he attended Palm Beach State College on scholarships. 'He had everything against him,' Rodas tells her students. 'You guys have no excuse.' Rodas is confident her students will become leaders in Palm Beach County and professionals proud of their roots and stories. 'Mission accomplished,' Rodas said. "It's like giving back my little grain of sand to my community.' Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@ and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Teacher's class helps Hispanic students prepare for college, careers
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
'A love for life': Hundreds gather to remember Wellington student killed in crash
WELLINGTON — Woodland Middle School chorus teacher Danielle Fuente recalled the first time she met Landon Coggin, describing him as a shy, quiet sixth-grader trying to find his classes on the first day of school. Then, on Day Two, she met the "real" Landon — "an energetic, talkative goofball with a love for life," she told hundreds who gathered Wednesday evening for a celebration of life service at the Wellington Amphitheater. Family, friends and members of the community gathered to remember Landon, a 13-year-old Woodlands Middle School Student who died the afternoon of Jan. 30 when a truck hit him and another student, Elias G. Angel, 12, near the campus on Lyons Road. The boys had fallen into the roadway when their bicycles became entangled while riding home from school. Those attending Wednesday's celebration of life shared hugs and stories as they gathered in remembrance. Many lit candles as dusk turned to dark. "His 13 years may have been brief, but his impact on us is something that will last forever," said Sean Lavender, a pastor at Life Church in Wellington. "Landon was a young man whose spirit shone brightly in everything he did, whether through his laughter, his kindness or the way he care for those around him." Fuente recalled Landon's playful nature and his hidden talent for singing. "He was the type of student who it didn't matter where I sat him in class — he would find someone to talk to," she said. Fuente said Landon developed a passion for singing during his three years in chorus, joining two classmates last fall in earning spots in Palm Beach County's Tenor Day and performing with about 100 middle and high school students. But not everyone knew about Landon's singing ability, Fuente said. "He often threatened to drop out of chorus if I ever told anyone outside of chorus that he could actually sing," she said. "Well, Landon, I'm sorry but I do have to expose you. That boy could sing." Previous coverage: One boy dead, another injured after bicycles, truck crash near Woodlands Middle School Wednesday's celebration included calls for traffic safety improvements in school zones. A petition on the website created in the wake of the wreck has attained more than 2,000 signatures supporting calls for changes such as the installation of barriers near bicycle lanes. Several people added their names Wednesday evening. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigators said a Peterbilt semitruck hit Landon and Elias after both fell into the roadway. Elias received treatment for serious injuries at Delray Medical Center. "There should be things to protect our children, protect people in bike lanes," said Darryl Kogan, an attorney and a longtime family friend who worked with Landon's grandmother. "It's such a tragedy that we had a great kid here whose not here with us now, but hopefully something good can come in his memory." Sign up for our Post on Wellington weekly newsletter, delivered every Thursday! Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@ and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Celebration of Life honors Woodlands Middle student killed in crash
