Against the Odds : Memoirs of a Migrant Worker. This item is unavailable.Against the Odds : Memoirs of a Migrant Worker

AGAINST THE ODDS underscores a powerhouse of obstacles, difficulties and struggles of an uprooted family life from a quiet simple farm life to a humble nomad-like existence as a result of the Great Depression. In addition to a low economy, prejudice, racism and bigotry made it much more diffi cult to survive and succeed in an adaptive way of life; a life which became a two-fold process. One side consisted of constant moving from field to field searching for work. The second phase consisted of trying to keep up with school work and formal education in limited or short sessions. Both phases offered learning opportunities in that migrating offered vital educational experiences while formal education reinforced a different type of discipline. The different types of experiences complemented each other and allowed paramount importance if handled effectively for eventual success.

Celia Verdin, BS, MS is a retired English, Bilingual and English as Second Language Specialist. She is a Great Depression and migrant survivor who persisted with continuing education after an interrupted period of time. Accomplishment growth including classroom experience, extend to adult and private school education and substitute teaching after retirement. Contributions include service as a private school PTA president, parent liaison and cheerleader sponsor for public school. Other contributions include tutoring graduate students in drafting mini thesis and assisting and educating students in the State Migrant Program at Texas A & I University, Kingsville.