Our Story

As a first-generation child, I felt torn between two worlds. I wanted to be an American, yet embrace my parent’s roots. I believed I could only be one or the other because I associated Americans as being modern and popular, and my family’s cultural practices as old-fashioned and region-specific. When I was a child, my parents said, “Be a good samaritan. Love and do for others what you would want them to do for you.” If you see something wrong, change it with your hand or voice, or at the very least, with your heart.” Unfortunately, many students did not share the same principles. I felt I didn’t fit into mainstream culture.

I really enjoyed public school. I was taught to think, question, analyze and conclude. This empowered me to think and grow into a confident individual. It also developed my communication skills. In junior high, I attended a private school with others with a similar background as me. However, I noticed students made poor choices. When I attended classes, they were all lecture-based. If I asked why, I was told “That is just the way it is.” When I confronted students about poor choices, they believed that the freedom to do as they wished meant they were American, and they fit into the mainstream culture. Their parents only focused on traditions. When their parents spoke to them, it was like a dictatorship. I found myself teaching my peers about being good samaritans. This would not only open the line of communication, but it would empower them and make them feel like a champion each day.

When I was in high school, I thought I was overweight, so I starved myself. My health deteriorated quickly, but fortunately, my mom enrolled me in group counseling. I learned about nutrition and fitness, and the counselor and girls in the group were kind and supportive. That opportunity to communicate and be part of a group that cared about me saved my life. During that same year, my classmate Eddie committed suicide. I decided to change my life. I joined sports and clubs, and I became a good samaritan and helped others gain the confidence and communication skills they needed to thrive. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for American teenagers. I knew from that point on that I wanted to become a teacher so I could inspire children to develop the confidence and communication skills they need to thrive.

A child’s mind, body, and soul must be nourished to create the perfect balance. Communication skills develop a child’s mind because they foster their ability to express themselves, understand others, and build a foundation for learning.They develop a child’s body because they promote social interaction, emotional regulation, and cognitive skills. They develop a child’s soul because they develop empathy, fostering a sense of self-worth and connection, ultimately nurturing their overall well-being.The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.

Phala Abdo
Director