Heather Johnson
Mid-Plains Community College adjunct instructor Aida Ullrich, of North Platte, has been honored with a Cultivating Education Award from the nonprofit organization, Las Mañanitas Community Advocates.
Ullrich has served as an ESL instructor for Mid-Plains for since 2015. Las Mañanitas Community Advocates, selected her for the award based on her efforts to teach English as a Second Language to the community’s growing non-English speaking population.
Ullrich was presented with a certificate during the Hispanic Heritage Gala Oct. 13 at La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham in North Platte.
“It took me by surprise,” Ullrich said of receiving the award. “It felt very nice. I was told my name was mentioned more than 19 times when they were looking for nominations.”
Although humbled by the recognition, the true award for Ullrich comes from the changes and growth she sees in her students.
“I enjoy getting the knowledge to the people who need it so they can perform better here and understand,” Ullrich said. “Most of them are family of people working here. When they tell me that they can now understand in the store when they are talked to - that really makes me feel good because they are learning.”
More information about MPCC’s ESL program can be found online at: https://www.mpcc.edu/community-and-business/ged-esl.php.
Las Mañanitas Community Advocates offers services and programs designed to inform, motivate, train, inspire, redirect and advocate for youth, immigrants and the community as a whole. More information about LMCA is available at: lmca308.org/about-us.