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Three years ago, some Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) students were getting their minds around learning the days of the week in Spanish. Now, thanks to Ana Harris, they are reading about Latin painters and presenting the material in Spanish. 

“They have come a long way,” said Harris, who has taught Spanish to UBMS students for the past 10 years during the program’s summer component. 

Thirty-six high school juniors from the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s UBMS have been on the Edwardsville campus for the past six weeks. 

“Every year has been different with the Upward Bound students,” said Harris, also an SIUE part-time Spanish instructor since 2006 and a certified Spanish teacher at Edwardsville High School for the last 14 years. “I have seen the students evolve and grow more appreciative of the language and continuous learning.”

 Harris explained that she sets a creative atmosphere for learning that includes respect for each student and for herself. 

“I would describe myself as a disciplinarian,” Harris continued. “I like teaching and look for ways to reach all of my students, and to make learning fun. I also let them know I have high expectations of them.” 

“Ana has been an important educational aspect to the growth of the Upward Bound Math and Science students,” said UBMS Program Director Elke Harris-McIntosh. “Her eagerness to express the importance of learning a second language, especially Spanish, is much appreciated.” 

“She takes heed to the efforts of each student and does not hold them all to the same standard, but takes into consideration their individual learning levels,” continued Harris-McIntosh.

 “I learned the basics of Spanish during my first year with Mrs. Harris,” said Morwin Coney, 17-year-old UBMS student who also attends Cahokia High School. This is Coney’s third year with Harris.

 “She explains everything clearly, and when you don’t understand something, she will break it down even further,” said Coney. “The fact that she is teaching Spanish well enough in the six weeks that we have, so that we can then take that knowledge to our next academic year, is truly amazing.”

 Coney says he can now count to the thousands and millions in Spanish and better conjugate such verbs as correr (run), crear (create) and escribir (write).

 “What I like about Mrs. Harris is that she is extremely dynamic, open to new things and gives us opportunities to learn and grow,” said Kelsey Simmons, 16-year-old UBMS student who completed her first year with Harris as a Spanish instructor.

 “I like looking into their faces and seeing their eyes get big with understanding,” Harris said. “When I see them eager to learn and to continue their learning, and their excitement to succeed in education and life, that makes me extremely happy.”

The SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science program is designed to prepare participants for post-secondary education and motivate their exploration of science, mathematics and related education professionals. Participants receive tutorial instruction in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), along with language arts, foreign language and more. The program also offers a six-week summer residential component, where University faculty members instruct introductory courses in STEM, language arts, foreign language and computer literacy.

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.

Photos:
Ana Harris, SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound Math and Science Spanish instructor and SIUE part-time Spanish instructor. 

Three of Ana Harris’ students tell why they like the Spanish instructor and enjoy her class. Upward Bound Math and Science students from left to right are: Kennedy Bishop, Morwin Coney and Kelsey Simmons.