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There is no denying the education crisis in America. However, outstanding students like Rachel Revelez are working hard to help one of the most critical problems in our country. Rachel has already been featured in The Gazette as an exemplary student teacher, and is the poster child for the U Iowa Foundations site, as well as Iowa Now—and is only a junior at The University of Iowa!
Just last week, she gave a speech at the College of Education scholarship award ceremony, where she thanked donors for their generous contributions that make it possible for students like her to attend UI. Rachel’s speech was so profound that that she was requested to speak again for the Capitol Campaign of another university department. Yet even with all the publicity of her achievements, Rachel is still incredibly modest and says even in hindsight she doesn’t realize how much she’s done.
Anyone who is friends with Rachel Revelez already knows that she’s passionate about teaching. It was her dream career even as a child. “I remember trying to get my little brother to sit down long enough for me to teach him stuff,” she says, but when that failed “I resorted to using my stuffed animals.”
It is no surprise that Rachel chose to major in Education at The University of Iowa. She was accepted into the College of Education a year earlier than the average student, and obtained her English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. Rachel is passionate about giving ESL students the same learning opportunities as children with English-speaking parents. Rachel says that it’s heartbreaking to see such bright, enthusiastic learners unable to pursue their love of school because of language barriers. This is why Rachel is determined to be an elementary school ESL teacher, so she can break down obstacles first generation American children face to allow them full access to the education they deserve.
Already, she is on track to bettering ESL education. Rachel regularly volunteers to tutor for an adult literacy program, where she works with the children of immigrant parents and teaches them to read and write English. She also volunteers at Grantwood Elementary to help teach kids of all grades. She is currently in ESL Practicum for Muscatine High School and has already begun teaching classes by herself and working one-on-one with the students.
Rachel Revelez is undoubtedly one of UI’s most driven, outstanding students, and is quickly making a name for herself as a precocious young leader who is making an impact on students in schools all over Iowa.
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