Six hours. Five days a week. For 46 weeks. That’s how often teachers are in school teaching. However, for government teacher, Carlen Floyd, her schedule is quite unconventional. Floyd, teaches six hour school days, then turns around and teaches a citizenship class for another three hours. That can take a toll on a person however for Floyd, it’s all worth it because of the rewarding feeling in the end.

All the way in Northeast Austin, there is a non-profit faith-based organization called Manos De Cristo. At the organization they offer a multitude of classes, including a citizenship class that Floyd volunteers at. The students are typically between the ages of 20-30s.

This isn’t necessarily usual behavior for a teacher, however Floyd enjoys volunteering.

“This fall, it’s my first time teaching this year. It’s hard teaching high school then turning around and teaching citizenship classes but the rewards are what makes it worth it,” Floyd said.

Immediately after school Floyd exits the Bowie parking lot and drives to east Austin.

“There’s a non-profit organization called Manos De Cristo, which is a religious organization that’s faith-based, it’s Presbyterian,” Floyd said. “It’s based in northeast Austin.”

Packed within three hours, students have a lot to learn.

“They learn English from six to seven, and have regular classes from seven to nine. They attend classes two nights a week,” Floyd said.

Despite the hardships that the students had faced from their home country, including war, they understand the importance of the class.

“The students are very eager to learn, they never want to quit,” Floyd said. “They see a definite purpose to their studies.”

Within the class, there is a range of multitudes of cultures and backgrounds.

“Majority of the students are from Mexico. There are also people from Iraq, Burma, Cuba, and Honduras,” Floyd said.

The class has allowed these students to bond and share their struggles and experiences.

“They view each other like family, as brothers and sisters. They support each other,” Floyd said.

Being away from their home country for so long, students begin to miss the things that they took taken for granted.

“They miss their friends, family, and the places around them,” Floyd said.

Despite the students eagerness to learn, they also have cons to attending the class.

“The traffic to get to the class is terrible. Learning to read, write, and speak the language is also difficult,” Floyd said.

Floyd comments on the positive light that this citizenship class has brought to her.

“In a time where there is so much attention brought negatively towards immigration, it is wonderful, inspiring,” Floyd said. “I wish people could actually meet these immigrants because you can’t come away thinking anything negative. Only be inspired by their determination, stories, courage, work ethic, everything.”