ABSTRACT
This chapter narrates stories of two Latina bilingual women, Erika and Raquel, who are Americans of Mexican descent. Both women were close to opposites. Despite these differences, both women's experiences were strikingly similar at three different life phases: growing up, K-12 schooling, and working as paraprofessionals. Neglected by schools and teachers, gaining the position of paraprofessional was a positive step for both women because it did not require an advanced degree beyond high school. Ironically, both were hired because of their Spanish language skills which their schools had suppressed and ignored. This fact highlights the ethnic and racial dominance of their white teachers and school administrators. Erika and Raquel both exhibited superb abilities as paraprofessionals, using a combination of sweetness and strictness towards Mexican students. Without the experience of working as paraprofessionals, both women may have never entered the teaching field.
