Interview with EveryoneOn Digital Instructor Tatiana Alvarado
Interview conducted by Jessica Scadron, VP, Strategic Communications, EveryoneOn
How did you become interested in digital equity and inclusion work?
I became interested in digital equity when I stumbled upon a job in my university’s tech department helping students and faculty learn Microsoft Suite applications. Once COVID started, I was looking for something to do while at home and came across an EveryoneOn digital instructor job opening.
I was hired for a pilot program which I liked because I could be more hands on, helping to create program goals and build the curriculum. After teaching a few classes, the work became more meaningful to me when I saw the impact on families and individuals. As the program has grown, I’ve been honored to be part of the journey with EveryoneOn.
EveryoneOn has been a big influence on me. I graduate from college this year and will go on to study public interest law. EveryoneOn is the reason I want to become a lawyer - to close the digital divide from a public policy perspective. Why not address this issue on a larger scale?
What’s your relationship with tech as a woman?
I had a desktop at home that my parents bought me when I was six years old because they saw I was good in school and passionate about my education. I always got good grades and was involved in clubs. I had to figure out how to use and fix the computer. Fascinated by different tech concepts, I got a tech certification in high school and took computer courses in college. I’ll continue to learn new technologies for years to come.
“For me, technology is genderless. You either know how to use it or you don’t. The whole point of tech is that it can bring people together, regardless of gender. It should be accessible to everyone. ”
What made you decide to become a digital skills instructor?
When I stumbled upon the role with EveryoneOn, the organization’s mission statement resonated with me. The idea of connecting people to the internet, giving them free devices, then teaching them the digital skills to get online wasn’t something I’d thought about. But I saw how the digital divide affected my parents and their lack of tech knowledge. My parents emigrated from El Salvador in their teens. Dad worked as a dishwasher and line cook for years and mom is a waitress. I’ve been their tech teacher and I’ve done so for many families like mine who have a similar story. They’re immigrants, don’t speak English, have children in school and are often older. I see my grandparents in many participants and my own upbringing reflected in their experiences.
How have you found your experience as an instructor with EveryoneOn?
EveryoneOn is so unique. I don’t know of many other organizations that operate the way we do and provide these services, especially the digital skills trainings. On the first day of class, participants are intimidated. But people build relationships with each other and make connections outside the classroom. People have higher levels of confidence because of the skills they learn. My favorite part is watching everything unfold throughout each cohort and knowing I contributed to participants’ growth and learning.
As an instructor, do you have any observations of the relationship between women and the digital divide?
One cohort stands out. The class was all mothers who had young kids. They showed up every day to class. They were hungry for the opportunity. It’s amazing to see them empower themselves, to provide for their families through digital instruction. Many express that learning about tech was missing in their lives, especially with COVID when everything was virtual. They needed to keep up with their bills, medical care and help kids with their homework. For all of this, they needed to know how to use a computer.
What is one thing you want people to know about the digital divide that you see in your work as an instructor?
The digital divide is more prevalent than we think. There are students in college I work with who don’t know the basics of computers and tech. Many times it is our Black and Brown communities. It’s not always a socioeconomic or racial or age related issue. These are skills for everyone, in the same way we need to know reading, writing and math. Many who have these skills take them for granted. Especially with everything being virtual now, digital skills are needed now more than ever.
What keeps you motivated to teach digital skills to under-resourced communities?
All of the feel-good stories, smiles and thank-you’s - I carry them with me. I take my role seriously. Teaching has a real impact on people’s lives.