Volunteer liaison assists families at Fort Gibson schools

Sept. 18--A volunteer liaison helps Hispanic families when it comes to talking with teachers and administrators.

The liaison was approved recently by the Fort Gibson Board of Education.

Gabriella Briley, who had taught Spanish at Fort Gibson, said she will help with people in the Hispanic community, particularly parents and students. She said she could be present during parent-teacher conferences or in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

"I'm going to be pretty much assisting anyone who needs my help that doesn't speak English,"Briley said. "I know most of the Hispanic community there in Fort Gibson, so they feel very comfortable calling me for any situation, really. It doesn't have to be school-related."

Fort Gibson Superintendent Derald Glover said Briley volunteered for the position.

"She came to me because she needed a project through her education courses," he said. "That was a natural fit and a great idea."

Glover said Briley will be a connection to people needing help with such language issues as understanding forms or answering questions.

"She's very well known," Glover said. "She knows our school, because she's worked there so long. She's someone they can have a comfort level communicating with."

Glover said Hispanic students make up about 4 percent of school population, though the number fluctuates.

"You don't want to ever have kids or parents struggle because they don't understand or don't have the information they need," he said.

Briley said most of the Hispanic parents work for a major area nursery.

"Most are from an area in Mexico called San Luis," she said. "And a lot of them are related. Not everyone."

Briley said Hispanic parents actively support their children.

"I'm telling you, Latino parents are all there for their kids education," she said. "They want their best with their kids."

She said parents often cannot help the children with their homework because of the language barrier.

A native of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, Briley became a United States citizen in 2007. She said she worked at Fort Gibson Schools for 13 years before leaving last year to continue her education. She is attending Connors State College.

"Every year I have been with Fort Gibson, I have assisted with parent-teacher conferences," she said.

Intermediate Elementary Principal Sherry Rybolt said IES has about 17 Hispanic students. Of those, seven have parents who need translators during conferences.

Rybolt said Briley had worked at IES.

"She just has an awesome relationship with our Hispanic community," Rybolt said. "The families that are so dependent on her tug at Gabby's heart, so Gabby volunteered to translate any time we needed a translator. Sometimes people come to the counter and say 'Ms. Briley.' She's willing to come up and help."

Rybolt recalled one instance in which a student translated for her parent -- mistranslating to tell the parent that Ds are good grades.

"Mrs. Briley was able to correct that information and put her on the straight and narrow," Rybolt said. "She's just a precious lady that volunteers her time. She's willing to go ahead and serve in that capacity. I'm delighted."

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

Meet Gabriella Briley

AGE: 42.

HOMETOWN: Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.

EDUCATION: University of Chiapas. Attending Connors State College.

PROFESSION: Student.

HUSBAND: Jason Briley; four sons.

CHURCH: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

HOBBIES: Scrapbooking, helping people.

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