Here at Lodi High School, we have a student body that is more than 63% Hispanic. So, as most of us may or may not be aware of, September and October, between September 15th and October 15th, we come together to celebrate “Hispanic Heritage Month.” Whether you’re Hispanic or Latinx, we take this time to honor the rich histories, heritage, and achievements around the world. Even in Lodi, these histories are vibrant and alive in our halls.

As I strive to display that heritage, our very own Mrs. Banks, an Ecuadorian immigrant and dedicated teacher at Lodi High School, has agreed to answer some questions for an interview. Let’s take a look into her story and culture.

Mrs. Saltos-Banks was 14 when she departed from Ecuador. What was initially meant to be a short stay with her mother and sister over winter break, ended as a permanent residence. “I thought I was going to spend the school break with my mom and sister, and my mom had other ideas. I never went back,” she said.

Her early years in America were one of wonder and acclimatization. She came in February, and recalls being amazed by the snowstorm that swept the roads. “I have never seen so much snow in my life. The roads were so different, too wide, with lots of lanes,” she said. But, as she describes, her thrill soon turned into an obstacle, especially in terms of language.

“The largest adjustment was the language. I had no idea what people were saying to me,” Mrs. Saltos-Banks said. “The only thing that would get you through it was to learn it. Having English-speaking friends made it a whole lot easier. Becoming friends was another challenge. I was shy because I did not know how to communicate, but I was very determined. I used what I did know and stuck with it.”

Her perseverance paid off, in part thanks to supportive teachers and bilingual friends who tutored her through her early years. “I would say my teachers helped me a lot to move from my comfort zone. The friends I made were nice because they spoke both languages and were willing to help me,” she explained.

Even though she learned to adapt to life in America, Mrs. Saltos-Banks continues to retain her Ecuadorian culture. She also still celebrates “Noche Buena” on December 24th with her family, and food is one of the most significant ties that she feels to her heritage. “I married a ‘gringo’, so it was quite challenging raising our children. I wasn’t always able to speak with them in Spanish, but I did my best to speak enough so they’d be able to learn to hear it. I also tried to cook Ecuadorian food as much as I could.”  She continues, “Now that my children are adults, they always ask for food like caldo de bola, ceviche, or sango. Picture a ‘gringo‘ asking for pernil with rice and beans!”

A piece of her culture that she would like to introduce to a person unaware is the natural beauty of Ecuador, “Everyone only knows about the Galápagos Islands. But Ecuador has the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and beautiful cloud forests too. In such a small country, you can see so many different ecosystems and animals,” she said. Like many immigrants, Mrs. salto-Banks has had her share of false stereotypes thrown at her along the way. One thing she would like to debunk is ‘Hispanics do not do much’. “People always think that Hispanics only can work in the fields, but we can do more than that!” she said.

In that same vein, she recalls a time when a classmate commented that her Spanish literature classes must be “easy” for her just because she knew Spanish.

“I giggled and replied, ‘So are your English classes easy for you?’ That’s when they realized how wrong they were.”

Her story at last is one of determination and triumph. She was the first in her family to graduate from college and graduate school. An achievement in which she takes so much pride. “I didn’t quit and always tried to improve from before,” she reasoned.

When I asked what she would say to any young Hispanic immigrant students who may be reading this, her answer was one of courage and straightforwardness: “Do not, ever, give up. When one door closes, keep knocking—another door will open.” 

To end off her story, I asked her if she could use one word to define her culture. Mrs. Saltos-Banks chose “diverse“. With its geography through customs, Ecuador is the definition of diversity that she continues to carry and share today in Lodi. Her tale is not hers alone. It’s a testament of the courage and strength of so many immigrants who share their stories, flavors, and traditions with our school and community. As we celebrate ‘Hispanic Heritage Month’, Mrs.Saltos-Banks reminds us that our cultures and histories deserve to be loved, cherished, and remembered. Not only this month, but every month.