Diane Lopez spends most of her week with a group of illegal immigrants, but she does not work with Border Patrol or a non-profit group. Lopez, 53, works as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Apollo Middle School, near Irvington Road and the I-19 Freeway. Her job places her in a classroom with what Lopez estimates to be 85 to 90 percent illegal immigrants.

School principal Ray Chavez agreed that there are illegal immigrants at the school, but could not estimate how many he believed to be there.

For 15 years, Lopez has taught ESL to children between the ages of 11 and 15. She sees beyond what politicians see. While political parties fight about their views on illegal immigration and bilingual education, Lopez stares into the reality of what most people only argue about.

“I think society sees these kids as numbers. I see them as people in need who want a better life," she said. "They are innocent children who have parents that believe they are doing what’s best for their kids.”

Principal Chavez agrees. "If a child walks in my door, I teach that kid. It really doesn't matter [if the child is an illegal immigrant]. We treat each child the same," he said.

Lopez's students, referred to as English Language Learners, were on the receiving end of a huge change in their educational format when Proposition 203 was instituted in January 2001. The proposition mandates that students be immersed into English speaking classrooms, rather than receiving bilingual education.

As tough as this can be for students who know very little English, it does not compare to the difficult lifestyles they are living outside of school.

“I have seen it all,” said Lopez. “I have kids that have walked across the border and are living with aunts and uncles. I have kids who live by themselves. I had a child who lived in a trailer the size of a van but it could’ve been the best home he’d ever had. I had one student who said his closet was his bedroom. People have no idea what these kids are going through.”

Another issue that plagues many of these children is a lack of good health care in Mexico. Many of Lopez’s students have experienced the death of one or both of their parents back home. One student passed away over the summer because he couldn’t get adequate treatment for his heart problem in Mexico.

Lopez, in her years of teaching, has become more than just an educator to these children. She has become like a mother in some ways and a confidant.

“After you have these kids for a while, you get to know them on a different level, not just as students. You see their innocence, and do what you can do to make them happy. You want them to have what your own kids have.”

A mother of seven, Lopez understands the responsibility of taking care of children, and brings this attitude to Apollo.

“I have provided graduation outfits for them, given them money for lunch and recommended them for social services. During the holidays I give their families money. The kids are happy, and the parents are so thrilled they’re crying.”

When the Proposition 203 controversy was at its height, Lopez and her students protested on the street with picket signs. She wasn’t standing up for a political party, she was standing up for her kids.
Lopez explained, however, that she is excited to see her students learn English.

“I’m there because I enjoy teaching English, and I love seeing these kids so happy to learn English, and grasp it as their second language. It’s a struggle for them to live day by day, and I can give them happiness and confidence as a teacher.”

The connections Lopez establishes with her students do not end when they leave Apollo. Many of her students keep in touch with her, and she is often invited to their high school graduations.

“I want to see them educated, I want to see them go to college, I want them to be successful.”