Many years ago, Puerto Rico native Jessica Tapia depended on her son to help translate for her teachers. Now, she teaches Spanish at Wetumpka Middle School and has encouraged other English Second Language students to embrace their ethnicity through the school’s multicultural celebration.
“We began four years ago with 13 countries,” Tapia said. “It has grown to 67 and now is more like a festival.”
Cliff Williams / TPI Students at Wetumpka Middle School visit one of 64 booths set up for multicultural day at the school. The program gets students to learn about the many cultures and languages represented in the school.
A walk around the school’s track Friday were students talking with each other. They’re Mexicans, Guatelmans, Greeks, Ukrainians and more.
Hosted by the WMS Spanish Club, the multicultural day is open to everyone. Students did their own research and made displays about what they learned. Native students represented their own countries and welcomed the ESL and exchange students from Wetumpka High School as well.
At each display, there was information about each country and often there was food or a snack that could be found there — in some cases cooked by parents. Band students also performed native music.
Currently Elmore County Schools offers ESL programs to help students learn English. There are translators to help teachers communicate with parents about a variety of issues, which is a big improvement from when Tapia’s 5-year-old helped her communicate with teachers.
The Spanish teacher is pleased to see how the multicultural day has taken off.
“I just do it for the students,” Tapia said. “We want to spread culture around like knowledge. This is an event they are waiting for all year.”
The multicultural day opens the door to students about other countries and their cultures.
“This is a big world,” Tapia said. “There are so many different cultures in not only the U.S. but Alabama and it continues to grow. We can all learn from one another.”
