SMAS Volunteer Rita Noguera: A Story of Generosity and Success

Rita with one of the Keys to Success
that she designed for Adult Ed Week 2018

Many SMAS students become active volunteers - both at school and in the community.  Rita Maria Noguera Ricardi is one of these students. 

Here is an interview with her about her experience as a volunteer:


1. Where you are from and what are the languages you speak?

I was born in São Paulo, Brazil. I speak Portuguese. My father is Spanish, and I am also Spanish. I lived 20 years in Madrid, Spain, and I speak Spanish.


2. How long have you been a student at SMAS?  What classes are you taking now and have taken in the past?
I started studying at SMAS in February 2017. I have studied two courses with the teacher Elizabeth, one with teacher Vasyl, and two with Deep. I have also done conversation classes with David, Lili, and Glenn.

Now I'm in Low Advanced, with Jessica. I am also taking the Career Exploration course and the ESL City Government Academy program.

I think it is important to talk when commenting to teachers that I am dyslexic. All teachers have demonstrated understanding and support in my difficulty, and encourage me to continue making progress.

 
4. Tell us about your volunteering experience - what you did, how you got started, etc.
Note:  Rita volunteers at SMAS as a Student Ambassador and also in many places in the community.

Mid–Peninsula Boys and Girls Club.
Since June 2017 - Art Educator
Design and delivery of art workshops for children from 6 to 14.
My husband and I contacted the center.
I wanted to be able to work with children and that it be near my home.


San Mateo Public Library
Since April 2018  - Creative Workshops in Spanish for preschool (with English translation)
Design and delivery of workshops where children and their parents enjoy the creative process, develop their imaginations, and encourage their artistic expressions.
My husband and I contacted the center.
I proposed a new activity that suits the library's activities.
Ben Ocon and Adriana Valencia were pivotal help in my work at the library.


SMAS - San Mateo Adult School
Since January 2018 - Student Ambassador
Help new students arriving at the center, as a translator from English to Portuguese and / or Spanish.
Teacher Vasyl encouraged me to sign up and I thought it was a good idea.


Kids and Art*
May 06, 2018 - Design and delivery of the workshop: "You are the most special person in the whole wide world".
Artist Krytzia Daboub and Art educator, Rita Noguera treated pediatric cancer families to a special treat during this workshop.


Peninsula Museum of Art*
March 25, 2018 - Design and delivery of the workshop: “Jugar con Arte”, with families. "The memory of water." Bilingual workshop: Spanish and English. Run by Rita Noguera and Krytzia Dabdoub.


Family Connections - Menlo Park*
May-June, 2017 - Accompany and support pre-school classes with children and parents.

* The contact for these three volunteer activities were thanks to my friend Krytzia.

6.  What was your professional experience before starting this volunteer work?


•    Teacher in art workshops. More than 25 years’ experience with children above 18 months, in preschools in Spain and Brazil
•    Pedagogical renewal. Development and delivery of courses in creative expression for teachers and parents
•    Art workshops coordinator, art/educator, and cultural mediator for all academic levels (preschool through university) and Family Art
•    Author of grade school textbooks in Visual Arts for Grupo SM
•    Published author of a substantial number of articles in Art Education magazines in Spanish and Portuguese
•    Participant/attendee in numerous congresses, conferences, and workshops


7.  What are your favorite parts of volunteering?

I like learning new things and sharing my knowledge. It is a very enriching information exchange.
I have searched for these volunteer jobs, because I am an art teacher, with more than 27 years of experience in art workshops with children and adults. I have worked in Brazil, Spain, and now in the United States.

Being a Student Ambassador was something new, because I had never done a job as a translator. It is very rewarding. I recently arrived at the Adult School not knowing very well what was going to happen. When I noticed that there was a Student Ambassador, I felt more confident, knowing that the school only wants to help us, that we are fortunate to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. In general, they believe me and breathe relieved, and giving a smile.

I like helping people. It is good to do volunteer work in something that you like. You may not have any experience in the volunteer work you intend to do, and you may or may not like it. If you do not like it, you will know that this is not for you and you can find another activity.



8.  What is your advice for SMAS students who are thinking about volunteering?
I recommend everyone who has time and availability to do some volunteer work.
It is the possibility to know more about the community in which we are living, to share knowledge, and to practice English. To anyone who wants to do volunteer work, I recommend that you look for something related to what you like, or something done before living here. By doing something that you like you can make connections with what you already know and bring new perspectives. Surely there will be many people willing to help you in the search of an appropriate volunteer service. Sometimes I could find it hard to know where to start. You may be afraid or ashamed, but I encourage you to overcome these normal barriers of adaptation. For me, volunteer work is a very good way to integrate and be known in the community.


I thank all the people who have made it possible for me to carry out and continue to carry out this volunteer work.
Thank you, Rita, for sharing your story.  You inspire us to take risks, share of our talents, and be generous with time, talent, and skills.




Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club.




Hanging ornament workshop and drawing. April 04, 2018.




Workshop "Creating with squares". August 01, 2018.




Workshop “Autumn”. November 2018
SAN MATEO PUBLIC LIBRARY




Workshop “Circles”. June, 2018




Workshop “Colors”. May 2018



KIDS and ART




PENINSULA MUSEUM OF ART