Success Stories | DCET website

Maria Paulina Portillo graduated from our PLAZAS COMUNITARIAS Spanish Literacy program.

Ma. Paulina came to “La Escuelita” in 2006 and shared her dream about wanting to learn how to write and read in Spanish. In 2020 she accomplished her dreams and is now a proud US Citizen!

Irving, Texas

Stories of our students who reached success is our paycheck!

The betterment of our students who think: "I'll never make it" is such a joy. Their long hours of study after all, paid off. We are proud to be of assistance to our community, especially to people who need help in learning how to read and write in their own language. By supporting Literacy, we help not only a city, but our country.

Paulina said she will put all of her efforts in succeeding. “Education is what I know is going to make me reach the stars…” she expressed. In 2014 she started Basic Literacy course and learned how to write and read. Then she finished elementary school in August in 2018 and proudly graduated from Jr. High school in 2020. “There are many obstacles I overcame. she expressed. My life took a turn when I discovered the beauty of reading signs, books, and learning how to fill an application. Nothing was the same after that, I now know everything is possible in life through education. I feel emotional and very motivated, my teachers at DCET have helped me so much. Of all the places that I have gone, DCET is the one and only that helped me the most.” She said. "I am very eager and happy because I am looking forward to reaching my goals, I feel like I'm going to achieve what I want in life and for that I thank God for giving me the opportunity of giving me wisdom.” Tears rolled from her eyes. Maria Palma felt LA ESCUELITA of DCET fulfilled her dreams. Presently she enrolled in Computer Literacy and is assisting as a Basic Literacy Facilitator. She's always smiling tenderly and shares with her students: SI SE PUEDE! (Yes, you can!) Maria Paulina, a proud 2020 success story of

DCET. Hear her story on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsDdc7fmlAs&feature=youtu.be

Leopoldo Galvan “Don Leopoldo” May he rest in Peace~~ (ESL and Citizenship student)

One of the most wonderful success stories of DCET. "Don Polo" came on February of 2012 to enroll in our ESL classes in search of obtaining his Citizenship status. He had difficulties in speaking English even though he could understand it and write it. It was then when we introduced him to the TEC of Monterrey University English Basic Course with phonetics. He was delighted to learn and after finishing this 180 hour course he started his Citizenship course. On November, 2014 he announced he passed the Citizenship test and was extremely happy to soon become a Citizen of this Country. He always expressed that he was very thankful to DCET and wanted to return all the generosity of his free classes provided to him by DCET. After graduation he offered to be a facilitator at LA ESCUELITA in Irving. It was then when we offered him to apply for a paid position to a senior program sponsored by AARP. He accepted this challenge and even though his health condition (heart problems) could have impeded him to full service our students, he succeeded! He performed as a professional assisting DCET. It is with sadness that we learned he passed away in January of 2015. We will always be remembered for his great work. Rest in peace! We know you are watching over your ESCUELITA. You will always be in our hearts.

Adults reaching Success after learning how to read and write

Teresa Rivera Calbillo, Elementary and Jr. High School Graduate

Teresita is another beautiful success Story of DCET - At 65 years of age, she finished elementary school through the PLAZAS COMUNITARIAS Spanish curricula from the Department of Education in Mexico. She is amazed about the beauty of learning how to add and subtract figures and excited to upgrade from working long and exhausted hours as a helper at a kitchen of a restaurant, to possibly becoming a cashier. She loves numbers and is eager to continue studying Computer Literacy courses this year to be able to apply her knowledge to browse through search engines and learn more. “Nothing will stop me now that I can read stories, like the one I learned from.” I felts at one point that I was too old to learn, but it is not true, It is never late to learn and advance in life and become educated.” she said. All she needed was someone to encourage her. Her sons did that and along with LA ESCUELITA of DCET, she said: "I will finish my Computer Literacy course and will have a better-paid job at the Restaurant,” she expressed. This lady is ready to climb up the mountain of success…! She is one of the best success stories of DCET!

Antonio Laguna "The Bright Star" The day he graduated, expressed: "It's never too old to finish sixth grade of my elementary school"

Sixty-year-old Antonio Laguna donned his red graduation gown before a graduation celebration Friday night in Irving. His daughter, Araceli Laguna (center), and his granddaughter, Jasmine M. Laguna, helped him prepare.

Antonio Laguna never gave up. At 60, his dark hair is flecked with gray and his face is creased with wrinkles. But he wears tonight a wide smile. He just completed elementary school at DCET. Laguna faced a major challenge in learning English when he came to the U.S. years ago. He'd never had an education. He couldn't read or write. When he heard about DCET/Believe in Yourself, Inc. he saw an opportunity to change his life. Going to school wasn't ready. He lacked a car and had to ride a bicycle every day. But he never let bad weather deter him. He rarely missed a class and was always on time. "Do not let anything stop you from becoming a more educated person", Laguna said through an interpreter. "If I can do it without having a car, others sure can do it too." Armed with his "primaria" (elementary) certificate, Laguna next plans to start ESL classes at the non profit then pursue his "secundaria" (Jr. High) and Preparatoria (High School) diploma. Read the whole article by DEBORAH FLECK / The Dallas Morning News dfleck@dallasnews.com DEBORAH FLECK / The Dallas Morning News dfleck@dallasnews.com The Dallas Morning News Published: 04 July 2010 10:24 AM