They grew up together, and now they work together to serve the students, families and staff of Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Laura and Noé Escalante Ramos are siblings who work in the district's Office of English Learners, both of them helping students and families find success in school.
Noé is a translator and interpreter who works with the Department of Exceptional Education, while Laura is a secretary for the Translation and Interpretation team.
Noé, who is 11 years older than his sister, started with the district in 2015 and told Laura about an open position the following year. She’s happy she found it.
“It’s probably one of the best decisions of my life,” Laura said. “There’s a culture of growth here. I’ve had a lot of personal achievements and learned a lot of things. I can see our team members trying to learn as much as they can so they can better help the families.”
Noé expresses similar feelings, calling this role “the best job I’ve ever had.”
“I see a lot of children with disabilities,” he said. “It’s very rewarding and satisfying for me to see the children get the services they need at MNPS.”
Best of Both Worlds
Laura and Noé were born in Mexico City, two of seven close-knit children who looked out for one another. They moved to Robertson County with their mother when Noé was 15 and Laura was 4 and continue to live there today. Laura, the youngest child in the family, says Noé, one of the oldest, has been “like a surrogate father” to her through the years.
Both of them are proud of their Hispanic heritage, and they encourage younger people to embrace their history and culture while also adapting to American culture.
“It’s really important to stay connected to our roots,” Laura says. “When we first came here, it was a different time, a different culture. I remember when I started school, I was the only Hispanic student there. So now that the population is growing, it’s exciting for me to see people trying to keep the culture alive.”
“I’m very proud of living here and representing my culture,” Noé adds. “I also have learned from other cultures in the district. We didn’t have services like students have nowadays with the English Learners office.”
Noé said one of the ways he stays connected to his heritage is through baking, and lately that activity has yielded a lot of the sweet bread known as pan de muerto, which is traditionally eaten during Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrations. Laura enjoys watching Noé in the kitchen when she isn’t reading Jane Austen novels.
“It’s almost like you’re getting the best of both worlds,” Laura says. “I’ve loved growing up here. It was an opportunity and a privilege that I wouldn’t have had if my mom hadn’t fought to bring us here. I feel very blessed to be here.”
