Rising Stars: Meet Thelma Fuentes de Behnke

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Thelma Fuentes de Behnke.

Hi Thelma, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m passionate about education and I like to connect with folks from all walks of life. I have a bit of a unique story and I think that is what helps me connect with families in the community. I’m originally from El Salvador, one of those fortunate migrants who arrived in the US to study.

When I was 18, I received an academic scholarship and learned English within 6 months of arriving in the US. The scholarship also allowed me to learn American Culture and complete my education in Wisconsin. I was supposed to go back home after completing my studies but I met my now husband of 27 years and I never returned. It was all one happy development after another.

My childhood, on the other hand, was not so easy. Growing up during a 10-year civil war, I experienced the pain of a nation that was being divided by political ideologies to the point of people killing each other over such ideologies. The communists (supported by Russia) and the Capitalists (supported by the USA). I realize it’s an oversimplified way to summarize El Salvador in the 70s when I was a child. But it’s probably enough for the purpose of the reader.

One life event during the war I must highlight is that my mother, the principal at the local small-town school, was warned to leave the next day or she would suffer consequences. Because of that, we moved very quickly from our lovely town in the province of Chalatenango to the very crowded, noisy city of San Salvador. It was a small trade-off when your mother’s life depended on it.

Our small town in Chalatenango was a prime example of the village watching over the kids. Noisy rivers, mountains, and rolling hills were our playground in Chalatenango. We had to leave it all within 1 day in order to make sure mom didn’t suffer the consequences of staying too long after being warned. I didn’t get to say goodbye to my friends and all the adults who had watched us grow up to that point. To this point, I still feel the pain of not being able to say goodbye to so many people who took care of us and loved us in childhood.

I started 3rd grade in the city of San Salvador, very much out of place, but willing to try to make it go in this new setting. Trying to blend was very hard, for the first time I got into fistfights at school. Those unfortunate experiences helped me understand frustration and trauma a little bit differently. I had to live through those experiences at such a young age. Eventually, the frustration decreased and I found ways to be thankful for what we did have and not dwell on what we no longer had (such as a happy country playground with mountains and rivers and my childhood friends).

Fortunately, my grandparent’s side of the country was not as affected as much by the war. I still had an escape at my maternal grandparents’ town in La Paz (Ironically, that means peace in Spanish). My beloved maternal grandparents had a coffee plantation. I was able to enjoy the open spaces when I spent time with them, an opportunity I took as often as I could.

I was the only daughter out of a family of 7 siblings (all boys) and getting away from my brothers was also a good break from time to time. Thanks to my parent’s guidance and support I was a good student and practiced music, dance, public speaking, and more. Eventually, all of this allowed me to qualify for the scholarship above mentioned.

When I came to the US, I had the support of incredible teachers who insisted I would be learning the language and graduate college all within the regular four years it takes US-educated students to complete the same task. I didn’t know any better so it all got done as explained to me. This took a lot of effort and late nights studying the language first and then focusing on Business Management college courses. I look back and I wonder if it all could have been done the same way now that I have those regular grown-up self-imposed limitations.

I also lived with a host family, the Gongol family, for a while. This lovely older white couple was happy to show me around and help me pronounce the English language. They would correct my pronunciation in a non-invasive way, label everything around their house to help me acquire the language, introduce me to their friends in social settings, and attend some events to support me in college. The Gongols were an incredible blessing in my life.

All of the above to mention the “village” that had been graciously given to me. and how it helped me feel supported and how it absolutely helped me achieve my goals. Even during adverse and dangerous times in El Salvador or during personal and academic challenging times in the US.

After graduating college, I was hired as the International Business Manager for a division of Premark International (a Fortune 500 company). It was my responsibility to manage and grow the business of the West Bend division of Premark International. The West Bend headquarters are located in Wisconsin. Mostly because of its geographical location, I was the only Latina in the management group (mostly white males). I loved the challenge to grow and develop the Latin American business for West Bend.

I traveled up and down the American continent (from Mexico to Chile) I was closing deals, I was working with the Business Department at US embassies, and I was meeting a lot of wealthy people in the Latin American territory. Most importantly I enjoyed the opportunity to show the “Boys Club” how a Latina could do her job very well, It was all feeding my ego I must admit.

When my husband and I welcomed our children to our home I knew it was time to change careers. this is when we moved to Denver. I was very fortunate to join an Elementary Charter Network (University Prep) and this has been my work home for the past 13 years. University Prep mostly serves black and brown students near Downtown and also in North Denver.

All these years working at University Prep have given me the opportunity to meet community leaders, families, and, most importantly, beautiful children willing to give their best effort at school. I have seen families experience personal growth as they get more involved in the school. Children become more knowledgeable, confident, and proud of who they are. It’s all quite a gift to me.

I have so much love to give to all our families. Some parents need the peace of knowing they are being heard. Some are looking for a quality school for their children, some want to be welcome as contributors to their child’s education experience. I also enjoy seeing how our students are confident and empowered through education.

Because of my tenure at University Prep, I’m already seeing young men and young ladies joining their preferred colleges and pursuing careers such as Chemical Engineering, Nursing, Paramedics, and of course Business Management. I have been able to watch the student stories from Kindergarten on and now, soon, they will be professionals themselves. They just make me proud.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has not been easy learning a new language and new culture. Homesickness for the homeland and family. Being a bit self-conscious (in the beginning) because of an accent and lack of enough vocabulary. Sometimes as an immigrant, you just wonder “Am I welcome here?” You can’t help but wonder that especially during the early arrival years.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have dedicated the last 13 years to the Charter School world. First, I was an office manager, director of finance, and now director of enrollment for the network. I am most proud of my ability to listen and empathize with folks. We all come from different paths, but when it comes to education, we all share that common goal of seeing our kids thrive.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I grew up with seven brothers, so I’m a little bit like a boy in a way. My dad taught me not to feel weak as a girl. “push him back!” he would yell when I got pushed by one of them. He would look at me from a distance, and he knew what I was thinking. My dad taught me to find strength from within and not just look around for others to solve my problems.

Interestingly, I also only went to school in the mornings in El Salvador. This was the way a poor country like mine made facilities available for more kids. For me, the afternoons were for homework and a lot of play (physical activity) after that. I seemed to do just fine in college here in the US. This highlights the importance of play and movement for all children as they develop.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.uprepschool.org
• Email: tbehnke@uprepschool.org