»I treasure this honor to just be a tiny grain in the sand in each of my child’s journey that I come across while teaching English.«

And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell, and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes ofthings in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live togetherlike one being.’’
Black Elk, Oglala Lakota Sioux.

My name Is Sandra Tlilayatzi-Dziarlowski. ‘’Dziarlowski’’ is my married name (true happiness is being married to a German), Tlilayatzi, Icome from the Tlaxcalteca tribe (Tlaxcalla) in southern Mexico. My last name is Nahuatl (our tribe’s language) and it means ‘’black blanket.’’ We are a proudpeople, we are a proud tribe. I can trace my ancestors back to the 15thcentury, more than 500 years. I am a ‘’true’’ American. I know that can bequite a mouthful so I just merely take my old teaching, nickname: Mrs. T.

And with this pride, I come from Los Angeles, born andraised, I am a true Angelino and a proud Californio. Coming from Mexifornia (as we the natives refer to it), our ‘’American’’ culture is lovingly intertwined with our Mexican culture and influence while I also being wrapped warmly in aquilted blanket of true religious, racial, and cultural diversity that abeautiful, international city such as Los Angeles provides.

My journey here to Lübeck, Germany came 15 years ago and has led me to working for Billinguale Erziehung in Klaus Grothe Schule, in BadOldesloe. One teacher when she found out why ( being from Los Angeles) did I choose Bad Oldesloe, I responded, ‘’No, Bad Oldesloe chose me.’’ I have been working there for a year. In the U.S., I received a B.A. in Spanish Translation (I worked as an Interpreter) but I have always found myself time and timeagain returning always to teaching children.

My teaching journey began 25 years ago and has continued onto the present day. I love this job. I’ve always loved working with children. In my culture, we know that children andchildhood don’t last long so we must treasure this moment as much as humanly aspossible because they are only this age (the ‘’magic’’ age my people call it)once. And I am truly grateful to our great creator as he has bestowed upon methis honor to be take this tiny part in this journey of my children’s lives (if you are a child and I know and spend time with you; you immediately become one of ‘’my’’ children.)

Because I have worked in the past as a teacher, sometimes in school I can help, plan, manage, organize, and teach lessons with everything in English or a complete bilingual lesson working alongside teachers. (returning to my interpretation/translation experience.) I take an active role in each class and lesson which means also doing the classwork along with the children and participating in the Morgen Kreis. I make sure to participate in all lessons and I’m always walking around, making sure a child understands and doesn’t feel left behind. I also tutor children. I ask them what they are doing in German and having them repeat back to me everything in English. I also create my own handouts and sometimes I will ask teachers if we can work together on an event such as 4th of July, St. Patrick’s Day etc. As an interpreter, I know that language is culture, so I arrange and plan events alongside with teachers. I create handouts, arrange arts and crafts, and sometimes when time is allotted, I create presentations explaining cultural events with pictures, and media news coverage stories so they become more educated and aware about our melting pot (American culture). I also teach them about American Geography by learning the histories of such cities as Nashville and Memphis, Tennesse. Being a true blues, woman we learn about famous American artists such B.B. King and singing ‘’Route 66.’’  We learn as much as possible about other famous artists such as the Beatles and many others who contribute to our global language which is English.

I love my job. I love teaching in English, and I treasure this honor to just be a tiny grain in the sand in each of my child’s journey that I come across while teaching English. Teaching English and taking this active role in my children’s life warms my heart, my soul, it rewards every inch of my very being. I look forward to continue on guiding and being guided(by the love and talent I see) in all of my children. Thank you.