At a Fresno elementary school, 20-year-old Bibiana Montes felt a spark ignite in her as a kindergartener. She dreamt that one day she would become a teacher, in part because of her influencers at Susan B. Anthony where she attended school and Saturday Sports. These individuals, teachers and volunteers, left a deep, personal impact on Bibiana. Their support helped her define her career goals and find the confidence to pursue them in hopes of making a difference in the lives of children.

Bibiana is fanning that spark from her early years into a flame. She is on her way to making her dream a reality and encourages her younger siblings to take the same steps toward their own personal growth.

Making Connections
“As a student in kindergarten, I felt that spark that I want to be a teacher,” Bibiana shared referencing how happy she felt in her kindergarten classroom.

There is a “connection” she frequently refers to that she experienced in those early days and hopes to share that connection with students of her own someday. “I want to be that teacher also, passing that gift, leading them to whatever career they have in mind, to reach for it.”

Upon an invitation from her aunt, Bibiana started participating in the Saturday Sports program on the weekends her kindergarten year. She spoke of one volunteer who was consistently there, greeting everyone with a smile. “That made me feel more comfortable, how he would connect with everyone and talk to everyone,” she said.

Soon after, Bibiana’s family received a notice that they had to leave the country and she was forced to leave school, against her wishes. The same volunteer stepped in to assist her family through the hardship. A deeper connection developed and the relationship between grew tighter. “I feel like he’s part of our family just because we know him that well. That’s how I feel—like we’re connected,” she said.

The devotion of another volunteer, took Bibiana by surprise. “I wasn’t expecting this from her—she actually went to Mexico to visit us. It made me feel connected to her and made me feel special that she really cared for me and that also motivated me to think positive and also give out to the community.”

As she thought about the impact these individuals have left on her, Bibiana commented on the importance of the developing relationships. “I like how I just felt so connected and it felt really special for us to know they are there for us and help us be more involved and be active.”

Bibiana explained that she wants to do the same for future students. “I like how there were people dedicating their time for students. I felt like they knew how to communicate with the little kids and make their days happier and that made me want to also volunteer in different places like they’re doing.”

The gift is now hers to give. 
When her brother was three, Bibiana took it upon herself to teach him how to read books, putting the gift of teaching to use in her own home. “The special thing is having a connection with my little brother. And now that he knows how to read, it just fills me with joy.” And the experience has given her an even greater passion for teaching children. “He likes to learn and I want to see that in the little kids,” she said.

Bibiana is now on her way to achieving that long-term goal she had in mind as a kindergartener. As part of a volunteer requirement for one of her classes, she chose to go back to the place where her story began and that spark ignited. “The first thing that I wanted was to go back to Susan B Anthony where I grew up and with the same kindergarten teacher who taught me.”

She helped the kids in the class with their handwriting, alphabet recognition and sounds. “That’s where I was first taught my words and I wanted to give that back to Susan B. Anthony and in that classroom with the kindergarten teacher that I felt that connection and the spark of me being a teacher.”

And as she prepares to step into that role, Bibiana emphasized the importance of passing that torch someday, “I want at least one student in my class to be a teacher too,” she added, laughing.

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If you would like to help ENP share impactful stories taking place in our Fresno Neighborhoods, please contact Carol Young.