By Carlos Holmes
Luz Quiroga moved from Colombia to the United States in 2005 without English skills.
Fast forward 19 years later, Ms. Quiroga has not only achieved a significant mastery of the English language, but also earned an associate’s and bachelor’s degree and now has aspirations to pursue a master’s degree.
Today, Ms. Quiroga is a bilingual early childhood specialist at the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington with 13 years of experience working with children, teachers, and families in various education settings.
Because of her experience in the childcare profession, Ms. Quiroga has also been enlisted as a coach for the Early Childhood Innovative Center, a joint statewide initiative by the State of Delaware and Delaware State University to improve the education capability of childcare providers.
As a continuation of the fruits of her second language and higher education attainment, the Early Childhood Innovation Center, a relatively new joint initiative of the State of Delaware and Delaware State University, presented Ms. Quiroga with its Coach of the Year Award during its June 14 end of the year celebration ceremony.
Ms. Quiroga coached 24 women who were part of the program and also helped another eight women pursuing the same credential but not part of the state program.
In her role as coach, some women were easy to work with, while others required more attention and guidance. All of the women she coached were Hispanic but came from different Latin American countries and had different mindsets and struggles.
“Some of the women were single mothers, some had health problems, each of them with different personal situations that prevented them from focusing solely on acquiring their credential,” Ms. Quiroga said. “At the same time, trying to find a balance between being a mother, wife, working full-time and achieving a Child Development Associate.”
“So, I believe my role was more than being a coach,” she said.
In helping the women reach their goals amid other challenges, Ms. Quiroga had to be their greatest cheerleader.
“I had to tell them, ‘you can do it’,” she said. “They have to believe in themselves, that they are capable of doing many things.”
The award she received from the state program was the latest achievement in the inspiring story of Ms. Quiroga, who, in her early years in the U.S., did not let the challenges of learning the English language discourage her.
After spending her first few years in Delaware working as a custodian and then for a medical supply company, a layoff from the latter was a blessing in disguise. Freed up from the demands of work and with the support of her husband Erick Zurita, in 2008 she enrolled and completed Delaware Technical and Community College’s English as a Second Language course and successfully earned a certificate. She also took English classes at a local church.
To build on the English she was learning, Ms. Quiroga got involved with Wilbur Elementary School in Bear, Del., where her daughter attended.
“I wanted to be a part of the education of my children. I wanted to understand the school system,” she said. “I went to every activity and field trip my daughters Zarah and Luna had in school, and it was a great opportunity for me to practice my English,” she said. “I attended every single parent conference, and the teachers supported me and encouraged me to speak English.”
While acknowledging that learning a second language as an adult is challenging, she noted that it can be done.
“It requires perseverance, the drive to move forward, and persistence,” she said. “With each obstacle, there is an opportunity.”
After she completed the English as a Second Language Course, Ms. Quiroga began working at the Latin American Community Center. Now in her 15th year there, she has worked as a teacher, administrative staff member, health and enrollment coordinator, and interacted with a lot of families on behalf of the Center.
Eventually, Ms. Quiroga returned to Delaware Technical and Community College where she completed an Associate’s degree in Early Care and Education (birth to second grade) in 2020. En 2024, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Education Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and a secondary certificate in Trauma-Informed Approaches, all from Wilmington University.
Dr. Dannae Sewell, an Early Childhood Innovation Center official, said when she thinks of Ms. Quiroga’s life story, she thinks of a quote from the Colombian singer Juanes, in which he said: “Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, it is learning to dance in the rain.”
Dr. Sewell said that quote metaphorically captures the spirit of resilience, adaptation, and embracing challenges that Luz Quiroga has demonstrated on her journey.
“From navigating a new language and culture to achieving academic milestones and guiding others as an ECIC CDA Coach, Luz exemplifies determination and faith, transforming challenges into triumphs,” Dr. Sewell said. “Her unwavering support and guidance have inspired many, demonstrating a true beacon of hope and triumph over adversity.”
