Elva is a first-generation Mexican-American award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and elementary school teacher. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and is fluent in English and Spanish. Her reputation as a speaker is built on the ability to share her story of overcoming adversity, in a way that inspires and motivates people of all ages. Elva’s award-winning book, “Saving Me” is a true testament to how a young girl overcame physical abuse, living with an alcoholic mother, neglect, and attempted suicide.
MB: Being an educator is your passion. What age group, and what is your favorite subject to teach?
EL: I teach first grade. I love to teach reading. Watching my students grow from reading letters, to words, to sentences then writing their own stories and essays is truly amazing.
MB: Saving Me, is the story of a young girl that overcame many obstacles and life-threatening challenges. Is that your story?
EL: Yes, this story chronicles my birth to the beginning of my college years. For many years I was ashamed of my past; growing up with an alcoholic mother whose addiction made life for my sisters and I very difficult was tough – but to watch my mother struggle with her addiction, was even harder.
I ended up in foster care, attempted suicide at 15 and became pregnant at sixteen, to name a few of my obstacles. Years later, when I began teaching 6th grade, I realized that many of my students were experiencing similar situations and were feeling ashamed of their lives. I knew then that I had to share my story. I wanted my students to know that their past didn’t have to define who they were or who they were to become; hard work and determination would bring them to a better life. I wanted them to know that there was light at the end of the tunnel.
This brought about such a feeling of empowerment; a feeling of liberation. It was the fire that fueled my desire to help others. I tell everyone I meet that the most beautiful success stories come from the people with the most difficult pasts.
MB: What is the most important message you want people to learn from your story?
El: I want them to know that struggles, obstacles, and mistakes can be overcome and success is attainable no matter where you came from or what you had to go through. There is a saying at my house, “If Alicia (my family calls me Alicia) can do it, then anyone can.” I live by this message.
MB: What inspires you?
EL: My first graders inspire me. At six and seven years old, they have a zest for life that as adults we tend to lose. I can come to school tired and uninspired, some days due to the sad events in the world, but when I see their faces in the mornings, is all I need to lift me up, it reminds me that there is more to life. Their hugs and the “I love you Ms. Leon,” remind me of my purpose here on Earth.
MB: You have a granddaughter? How old is she? Is she being raised bilingual?
EL: Yes, I have a 10-month old granddaughter named Ariella and she is being raised bilingual. Mom speaks to her in English and I speak to her in Spanish.
MB: When you are asked to speak, what is your favorite subject to speak about?
EL: I have struggled with speaking in public my entire life – but my purpose was greater than my fear. I knew that in order to make the impact I wanted to make, I would have to stand in front of people and speak my truth. Sharing my story with others is my passion. I consider myself to be an inspirational speaker. I share my story and how I was able to hold on to what little faith I could to be able to get up each and every day to continue fighting for a better tomorrow. I once hated life and wanted so much to end it – now I can’t wait for my next adventure.
MB: What do you tell your students about pursuing higher education?
EL: I tell my students that school saved my life. I lived in a chaotic world; no real stability, school became that stable ground that I could count on, my second home. It was where I felt safe and acknowledged. School gave me the hope that I needed to believe that my future would be better than my present circumstances.
MB: Favorite bicultural activity?
EL: Singing. I love music from all over the world.
MB: What are you reading now?
EL: I am currently reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. I read her first book Daring Greatly and watched her TED talk about courage and was hooked on her philosophy on life. We have to be brave enough to be vulnerable. She states that vulnerability is courage. In a world where we are taught that courage is being strong and not showing emotions… keeping our struggles and pain to ourselves… her research shows otherwise. With the Gifts of Imperfection, it’s about accepting the things we cannot change and knowing that we are enough.
MB: What is your message for young women facing adversity?
EL: No one escapes struggle or hardships because our sole purpose is to grow from those experiences. Once we realize that they are a necessary part of life, we need to change the way we see them. We need to see those challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and make better choices, and then life becomes easier.
Elva is currently writing her second book, the continuation of her story from her college years to today. I for one can’t wait to read it! The story of an amazing woman who inspires children and adults!
Bai, Bai for now,
Maritere
