Cheerful children wearing #deafprideEEESMA shirts celebrating diversity and inclusion at school in San Miguel.
Full Circle
A Deaf Student Becomes a Teacher of Hope
Once a student, now a teacher. Laura’s story at EEESMA School for the Deaf embodies the heart of San Miguel. Through SMCF’s support, she’s helping others find their voice and their future.
Most of us remember a teacher who changed our lives, someone whose patience and kindness sparked a love of learning. For a Deaf child, that connection is even more powerful when their teacher is also Deaf and shares their language, experience, and world. Laura is one such teacher.
Laura first came to EEESMA School for the Deaf at age fourteen, after years of isolation in public schools where no one understood sign language. At EEESMA, she found what every child deserves: communication, understanding, and belonging. Surrounded by skilled and caring teachers, she learned Mexican Sign Language (LSM), discovered her strengths, and began to dream.
After high school, Laura aspired to attend university, a rare goal for Deaf students in Mexico, where only about 4% reach higher education (INEGI). The cost of interpreters and tutors seemed impossible until the rise of online learning after the pandemic opened the door. With unwavering support from EEESMA and her family, Laura earned her undergraduate degree in Education. An extraordinary achievement.
Twelve years after her first day as a student, Laura has come full circle. She now teaches the youngest children at the very school that changed her life, guiding them as they learn LSM, Spanish literacy, and confidence in themselves.
The SMCF Partnership
Stories like Laura’s are made possible through the collective generosity of our community and the ongoing support of the San Miguel Community Foundation, whose grants help EEESMA provide access to education, transportation, and resources for Deaf students across the region.
Laura’s journey proves that being Deaf is not a limitation. Rather, it’s a source of strength, identity, and pride. With language, education, and love, every Deaf child can thrive and, like Laura, become a beacon of hope for others.
Why It Matters
“When you give through SMCF, you’re helping turn hope into walls, roofs, and safe spaces for families who’ve worked tirelessly for a better life.” – Executive Director Amy Loth
EEESMA is part of a vibrant community of nonprofits that make San Miguel de Allende the remarkable place it is: A town where compassion, creativity, and collaboration thrive. Together, these organizations form a network of hope, each contributing to the well-being of the whole. At SMCF, we believe that when one project succeeds, all boats rise.
Learn more about EEESMA journey at eeesma.com.
