Creek has a variety of students who each have their own unique backgrounds, many of whom speak English as a second language (ESL).

Student Support Counselor Chris Win leads a homework club called Club de Tarea that helps Spanish-speaking students understand and complete their work.

“A lot of our students who are learning English will sit through classes and all of the instruction happens in English, and they don’t catch much of that,” Win said. “And so to have it repeated in their native language, they often can get [the material] like this.”

The club is run with the help of students who are able to speak both English and Spanish and can explain to other students what the subject they’re learning is about.

“We have students that are more proficient in English, that are helping students that are maybe lower in terms of their English proficiency.” Win said.

Junior Jolon Quintana is one of the student mentors in Club de Tarea.

“I just help out people who don’t really understand English that well,” Quintana said. “Whether I try to speak Spanish with them or put it in English terms they can understand.”

Originally the club was named Tutoring for Spanish Speakers, but has changed its name and focus to support and translate for students instead of re-educating them.

“We started to hear, well, ‘I don’t need actual tutoring. I just need a place to do my homework,’” Win said. “And so we decided to make it a club so that it could build collaboration.”

According to Win, the benefits go both ways, between student mentors, and those who need their help.
“I love it, because it’s kind of a win-win,” Win said. “These students who are native English speakers also get to practice their Spanish with native Spanish speakers. So it’s been a really nice exchange.”