Meet the Family: María

Meet María, a remarkable member of the Upward Scholars family! 🎉

Originally from Xalapa, Veracruz, María embarked on her academic journey in the United States in 2003, enrolling in ESL classes at a local adult school. However, she temporarily put her educational aspirations on hold to support her children's academic endeavors.

Nearly a decade later, with her children pursuing their paths, María resumed her studies, re-enrolling in ESL classes in Redwood City and eventually transferring to Cañada College. There, she discovered Upward Scholars, becoming an integral part of our community in 2017. Since then, María has been actively involved, volunteering, and serving as a Student Ambassador, playing a crucial role in student recruitment and retention efforts.

With her English proficiency certificate in hand, María has set her sights on a career in Early Childhood Education. As a single working mother, María understands the challenges parents face in finding quality childcare. "With the life-changing support of programs like TeacherUp and Upward Scholars, I am determined to provide a nurturing environment where parents can pursue their dreams while knowing their children are in caring hands." 📚🍎