Tulsa professor sharing Hispanic culture with students, community

Tulsa professor sharing Hispanic culture with students, community

THOSE WHO ARE MAKING ADIFFERENCE IN THE TULSACOMMUNITY.

THIS MORNING...KAREN LARSEN INTRODUCES USTO A WOMAN WHO LIVES TOSHARE THE CHARACTER OF HERCULTURE.I love Tulsa!

This is myhome.

After the 10th year, Ibecame a citizen and Iwanted to give back!" It'sbeen 40 years since TinaPena came to the UnitedStates from Peru.This professor at TulsaCommunity College shares herlanguage with herstudents...with the same passion thathad her working 3 and 4 jobsto go to college and earn aBachelor's degree... andthen her Master's.

Shewants her students to findthat same success."If they don't have theguidance, the actual rolemodels, that's when we losethem." Studies show Hispanicstudents have a steepdropout rate... so sheserves as a mentor... andlike Food on the Move...Catholic Charities... tohelp and learn new skills."To be there on time, notfor the applause but becausethat's obligation we have tohelp our community.""And for us, it feels goodto help our people." Penasays in the Hispanicculture... family comesfirst... then community.

TheAmerican Dream draws themhere."I still think this is thebest country in the world.If you put in your time,your efforts, your energy,you can do it.

You can makeit." She wants us all toknow something else aboutHispanic people."We are here to work.

Tocontribute.

We are here tolearn from you.

We want tokeep our language and thebest of our culture andteach you and learn from youas well.

So do not beafraid!" And when herstudents find their way to aprofession through hardwork...ena hrimak so whheyre oreHUBETW...VOERI.

TVERWS FMEREN TULSMUNKARARS W'RE BERWHEA