Our Current Featured

Staff &Student

“I am proud to be an example”

​

In 1998, Norma was an ESL student at Montebello Community Adult School (MCAS). She not only learned English at MCAS, but also earned her high school diploma. In 2001, Norma was offered a job with MCAS and has been working for us ever since. She has worked in the high school lab, front office and today she is the “glue” in the ESL lab. In 2016, Norma received the CCAE “Excellence in Support Services” award and again in 2017 for their state award.

​

She says, “Throughout the years, I have seen our Adult Education Program change and grow. We give people the opportunity to do the same.” She went on to say that those who have never had the chance to attend school, learn a trade, or work toward their personal goals, have a place to accomplish these things thanks to MCAS.

​

Norma is a mother of two grown children, one of whom just recently married, and the other who travels the world as a Visual Designer. She is very proud of her children and the wonderful adults that they have become.

​

Norma believes anything is possible if we work hard and work together. She is grateful to be an MCAS employee, but also has such love and passion for her job. With seriousness in her expression, she said, “I enjoy being able to help students the way I was helped when I was a student. I have worked very hard, personally and professionally, to get to where I am today and I am proud to be an example of what is possible.”

(English)

(Spanish)

“I work hard for me”

Ada was born in Guerrero, Mexico. She began working when she was thirteen years old and continued to work when she moved to the United States over forty years ago. She is a proud parent of two grown children and five grandchildren. Ada is especially proud of her son, a college graduate, who is now a Government Engineer.

Ada’s passion is travel. She has already traveled to multiple countries and her dream is to continue exploring the world. She says, “Now, this is what I work for; I work for me.”

Since her children are grown, she decided to return to school. Ada felt she needed to upgrade her technology skills, so she enrolled in Computer Applications. Originally, she wanted to learn computers for personal use, but now realizes this can open up job opportunities as well. When she first started computer class, she did not know how to turn a computer on, let alone open or close a program. She expressed how happy and proud of how far she has come in such a short time. With a chuckle, she said, “I can even type a letter!” Ada has already earned her first certificate of completion and she is using the computer with much more ease and confidence.

“My classmates and instructors are friendly and very helpful. I am so lucky to have met them. Every day is harder but I keep coming back because I know I have the support and confidence I need to keep going!”