As a minority and first generation international student, I understand firsthand the struggles faced in learning a new language. I have been involved with promoting and supporting educational opportunities for all types of people for more than 30 years. I began teaching mid-level Spanish courses at Washington State University (WSU) during my sophomore year and continued teaching Spanish there until graduation. At that time, I was also involved in WSU's TRIO and Upward Bound and High School Equivalency (HEP) programs as a tutor and mentor to first generation students and visited schools to encourage students to stay in school and attend college. After completing my Masters degree I taught English courses to Mexican students at the University of Quintana Roo in Chetumal, Mexico. When I came back to the United States I moved to Miami where I taught ESL (English as a Second Language) and Life Skills to adult learners. Then from September 2003 to March 2008 I became the director of the High School Equivalency Program at Barry University in Miami, FL. Once the grant was finalized I went back to teaching, this time as an ESL professor at Mattia College.

During my time working as the director of the High School Equivalency Program at Barry University in Miami, FL; I got the opportunity to contribute to migrant families in furthering their education and giving them the possibility to obtain better employment, enroll in vocational programs and even go to college. At the beginning, many of these students did not think they could achieve any goal they set for themselves; by letting them know that I was also of migrant background and serving as an example of how far one can go no matter where you come from allowed them to believe that they could be successful in anything they wanted to do. This has giving me an added responsibility to ensure that new generations of migrant students, minorities and people in all walks of life will get encouragement to continue a higher education and reach their full potential. In addition to this valuable personal experience I also acquired the professional experience of working as an administrator of a federal grant of 2.5 million dollar for 5 years. We were successful in achieving our institutional and grant required goals in every year I was responsible for the delivery and implantation of this grant.
Finally, for the last 10 years I have been involved with unaccompanied children that come to the United States. First, as a teacher I have taught ESL, Spanish, Reading and Social Studies. Then I became in charge of all the teachers, then the assistant director of all programs and ultimately the director of an entire program in Las Vegas Nevada.

I feel I have the professional and personal experience that would contribute in the endeavor of being successful at the subject matter of interest. I have taught or been involved with education for more than 30 years and this has giving me a finite experience in all the intricacies of developing teaching curriculum and the formation of entire new programs from the ground up. I have also administered federal grants, have hired, train and supervised staff, have successfully written and managed a federal grant and budget, and ensured that program goals and objectives were met in a timely manner.

Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you and becoming your partner in this journey of improving your learning skills to the point of achieving your goals successfully.

Sincerely,
Miguel Landa