I am from Oakland, California and have 3 grown children and 6 grandchilren. I have taught 6th grade, in a bilingual classroom in Madera, California for 6 years. I taught one year of 5th grade and one year of 6th grade in Fairfield, CA. I taught ESL here, Summer School in July of 2003. I also work full time at McCaulou's Department Store in Danville, CA. I travel when I can, to visit my children and grandchildren in New York, Tucson, Arizona and Glenpool, Oklahoma. I write poetry and read a lot. I teach ESL because when my mother first went to school, she spoke no English and was ridiculed by the teachers and students, during her generation. I feel that if you are to live and contribute to this country, you must speak, write and understand the language of this country. I don't want to see or hear about people being taken advantage of because of their lack of knowledge of the English language.