Cultural Liaison Coordinator  952-556-7426

 

Hi my name is Guadalupe Pfaff but I go by Señora o Doña Lupe.

I work for District 112 at Chaska Middle School West, as their Cultural Liaison, predominantly with the Non-English speaking students and their families in conjunction with our School’s Staff and the ELL Department.

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela to a Panamanian Mother and a Father from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I’ve lived in many places in the United States as well as in Puerto Rico and Panama, and traveled extensively throughout the world, enjoying the opportunity to learn about other people and their cultures.

Because of all the moving my family did, I received my education in both Latin American, and U.S. Schools, attending over 8 elementary schools and 3 different High Schools. I did stay in one place for College!

Since I moved so much back and forth between Countries I can really identify with some of our newer Non-English Speaking Students as far as how it feels to enter new, strange and unfamiliar surroundings. I know how it feels to be the only kid who’s Mother speaks English with an accent with different habits and customs, as well as how it feels to be in another culture and feel unwelcome because I am an AMERICAN.

Our Goal is to provide all students with the same opportunities, and if language or culture is an issue we will work together to overcome this barrier. We would like for our students to assimilate as quickly as possible without turning their back on where they came from.

 While I am bilingual and happy to act as an interpreter, that is not my primary function.  Remember I am here as a resource for all Non- English Speakers, their families and our staff!