By Dani Alfaro, Staff Writer
When the new school year began, there were no worksheets, no poster projects, no sitting at a desk all day. For some, that meant being in pajamas till noon, snacking in bed, or maybe even having pets keep them company.
But for other students, it also meant having to take responsibility to help their younger siblings.
Remote learning has had a considerable impact on students’ lives, and for some, that even meant having to balance their own time with those of their younger siblings in order to ensure everyone’s work gets done.
This has become normal for junior Beverly Espinosa, who spends her remote learning days with her two younger sisters, Kiara and Briana.
“My parents speak both languages (English and Spanish), but there will always be a barrier because English isn’t native (for my parents),” Espinosa said.
Espinosa has to incorporate time into her schedule to help her sisters as well as get her own work done. This can last anywhere from 45 minutes to two-and-a-half hours. Taking multiple AP classes means having to stay focused and turn in all her work on time, whether it be at the end of her class period or the end of the day. While none of Espinosa’s Google Meets overlap with her sisters, she sometimes still has to step away for a second to explain or help them with whatever they need.
What Espinosa has to do the most is translate or break down assignments for her sisters and parents so they understand exactly what they need to do.
“We get frustrated because there are some things you just can’t say in a way for them to understand,” Espinosa explained. “We have more trouble with getting them to understand what to do – trying to make it seem like we’re in school when we’re not.”
So far, the best way Espinosa is able to teach her siblings is sitting down with both sisters away from distractions and translating the assignments slowly in order for her sisters to comprehend and get that “‘teacher feeling” as they listen to her.
Freshman Nasmin Flores takes on the same responsibility, helping three of her siblings with school work. More siblings mean more Google Meets, more work – and very good management of time. Flores usually takes about an hour on each sibling she helps.
“I teach them like if I were their teacher, and I teach them to sit at a desk when you’re doing school work,” Flores said.
Following similar techniques as Espinosa when helping her siblings, there are some things she just can’t control, such as being in Google Meets.
“When I have overlapping Google Meets, I just turn off the camera and mute so I can go help my siblings on their Google Meet, or I’ll record the meeting I’m in,” Flores said.
Not only are students getting work done with a sibling’s help, but parents with language barriers are also relying on that sibling. What happens when parents have to meet with teachers?
“I struggle sometimes when I’m doing my school work and they need me because the teacher wants to talk to (my) parents, but they don’t understand as much,” Flores said. “I translate for them so they know what the teacher is saying and when I do this, I ask the teacher if she can contact me in another way. Not by Google Meet, because I’m in class.”
For any student who has had to help their younger siblings and parents due to vague assignment directions and language barriers, remember that you can always contact teachers to help out. For any assistance with language, feel free to contact Mora Newton, head of the English Development Program, by email at newtonmo@daretolearn.org.
Students also should remember to be patient, as this remote learning experience is new to everyone. It won’t always be easy, but it’s not impossible.
“This has taught me how to work on my patience, how (my younger siblings) learn their way of managing school, and being a kid at the same time,” Espinosa said. “I hope to show them they don’t always have to go to a teacher or my parents, they also have me.”
Junior Dani Alfaro can be reached at 22alfaroca65@daretolearn.org.
