A Latvian Teacher's American Experience

Gertnere, who has a degree in English, applied for the program a year ago, wanting to travel to the United States to grow as a teacher and experience a new culture. After interviewing with representatives from the U.S. Embassy, she learned in February that she would be heading to a small city outside the nation's capital.

"I can't explain how happy I was when I got accepted," she said. "When I heard the name Washington, I was very excited. I was excited to take pictures in front of the White House."

Although she has taught English for about 15 years, Gertnere's Latvian accent still shines through as she teaches the dozen high school students in Room 1212 at Osbourn. The 90-minute class is twice as long as lessons in Latvia, which, Gertnere said, has been a blessing.

"It gives me more time with the students and gives them more opportunities to practice speaking," she said. Gertnere also teaches algebra with educator Ellen Devlin.

"The students are great and all help each other out," Gertnere said.

Gertnere said that she researched the Northern Virginia area online before heading to Manassas but that nothing could fully capture what she experienced once arriving.

Everything from having the ability to copy worksheets on colored paper to having dozens of varieties of ice cream to choose from at the grocery store is impressive after coming from a place where resources are limited, she said.

"It takes us forever to grocery shop, because we have to look at everything," said Gertnere, who is here with her daughter Inita, a junior at Osbourn. "It is very exciting to be in the U.S and learn the culture."

Classes are about half the size as in Latvia, and grading students at Osbourn is much easier because it is done electronically instead of by hand with calculators and grade books.

Gertnere said she has adjusted her daily routine since arriving. Errands take longer because everything is "spread out" compared with at home, and she must get up by 5:30 a.m. instead of 7 to prepare for the day.

"Manassas, they say, is a city, but it is so widespread," she said. "If I want clothes, I go to Sudley Road. If I want to mail a letter, I must get in my car to find a post office."

Gertnere said she enjoys the weather in Virginia -- it falls to about 18 degrees in Latvia in October -- and residents' friendliness, making her transition a smooth one.