Summer Teacher Academy at the Borderlands - El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Jenny Markert '83
July 12, 2022

Just after the school year finished, a group of CDH teachers took part in one of our school’s 2022 Summer Teacher Academies: the El Otro Lado or “The Other Side,” Justice Education Trip.  Organized by Spanish teacher Rebecca Medellin '88, participants Rebecca Medellin, Christina DeVos, Alexis Howe, Jenny Markert ’83, Douglas Meeker, Katie Shead, Becca Strauss and Kenneth Udoibok ’16, were hosted by the Lasallian Cathedral High School’s Andres Lopez, Director of the El Otro Lado Border Immersion Experience in El Paso, Texas. 

Every day was filled with learning more about life on the border and the complexities of immigration in 2022. The six-day immersion included a day trip to Ciudad Juarez, located just across the border in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as meeting with U.S. Border Patrol, and serving at the Diocesan Pastoral Refugee Center in El Paso.

“I’ll never forget the faces of the refugees we served at the Pastoral Center,” says DeVos. “They are the dear neighbor, and they have so much to teach us about hope and the healing power of community.”

Teachers were delighted by the gracious hospitality of the people at Cathedral High school, which, in addition to Andres Lopez, included Laura Torres, junior and senior counselor, and science teacher Daniel Esparza.

Understanding the Border Realities

The trip began with a tour of El Paso, followed by a presentation by Dr. Nicholas Natividad, Associate Professor in the Criminal Justice Department of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. His talk focused on the history of the border, border identity, and the latest developments in border policies and how they impact people. He asked a question that lingered with the participants all week long: “How do borders impact you?” Dinner the first night included authentic Mexican cuisine, a live band, and a little dancing in the school gymnasium. 

While in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the group visited Casa Eudes, a shelter for migrant women and children. Teachers enjoyed being with the kids, but knew it would be even more fun for them to have some CDH students there to play. The visit was powerful, learning about the many reasons women have for needing to be there. Refugees, both male and female, leave their homelands only when there are no safe alternatives; many flee in fear for their lives and their children’s lives.

Another powerful speaker the group heard was Abigail Ray, who is the Formation and Engagement Coordinator at Hope Border Institute (HOPE), a foundation dedicated to Catholic social teaching to provide research, policy work, leadership development and action, and solidarity across the borderlands. Ray talked about the day-to-day issues for migrants in transition, like health care, including mental health, and the impact of Title 42, a current public health act aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases, such as Covid-19. 

As the week came to a close, another impactful speaker the group heard was Jorge Gutierrez Garcia, a radio host with Cristo Rey Radio broadcasting out of Juarez, who talked about his project called Los Pies De Cristo, or the feet of Christ. Gutierrez washes migrants’ feet as an act of solidarity and to be as Christ, who washed the feet of his disciples. To understand the experiences of migrants, Gutierrez personally traveled on “The Beast,” the name migrants give the freight train that crosses Mexico bringing them to the U.S. border. It is well known that riding the Beast includes extremely dangerous train-hopping and often life-threatening encounters with cartels and others looking to exploit this vulnerable population.

“Garcia's stories were crushing,” said Alexis Howe, “but I also will never forget when he talked about the riders singing as an act of solidarity. Even in the darkest situations, people find a way to unite and support each other. This is so inspiring.” 

The last day included a hike through El Paso’s Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, where Cathedral’s science teacher Daniel Esparza talked about the environmental changes occurring in the borderlands, how the border wall itself impacts the area’s ecosystem, and how the global climate crisis specifically impacts the migrant population. One of the most crucial things the teachers took away from the experience is how important this is to be able to share with students. 

Student Trip to be Offered in 2022/23

The El Otro Lado Justice Education Trip will be offered to students in the coming school year.  Medellin encourages families and students to consider this opportunity to learn about our sisters and brothers on the border and love them without distinction. If interested in learning more, talk to any one of the teachers who participated in the Teacher Summer Academy. Details about this life-changing trip will be shared as they become available.