Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Catherine Ramberg’s 20 Years of Teaching in the Latino Community 

At Canal Alliance, we work to break down the many barriers that the Latino community faces in Marin and the greater Bay Area. Our mission is to empower and uplift individuals through various programs, and one of the most crucial among them is English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Today, we honor Catherine Ramberg, who has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless students through her dedication and passion for teaching over the past 20 years. 

Catherine’s journey with Canal Alliance began in 2003 when she volunteered as a teacher’s aide. In the two decades since then, Catherine has stayed with us, navigating change and growth along the way. She’s taught at the Pickleweed Park Community Center and, more recently, on Zoom. Throughout, her commitment to her Canal Alliance’s students has remained steadfast. 

When the pandemic struck and in-person classes stopped, Catherine transitioned to remote learning alongside her colleagues, continuing to make class time enjoyable for her students. As remote learning programs expanded during the pandemic, Catherine and her fellow teachers saw the benefits of increased access for women, now able to take English classes from home while juggling additional responsibilities.  

This year, as Canal Alliance returns some in-person learning to our programs, embracing a hybrid classroom model, we are as grateful as ever to have Catherine on the team. She has embraced so much in these past twenty years: change, growth, the challenges of a pandemic, and, most of all, her students.  

During a recent class registration, Catherine expressed how excited she is to teach in person again. “I’m meeting and seeing students today who I’ve never seen in person and it’s something that I have really missed!”   

As Catherine embarks on her twentieth year of teaching with Canal Alliance, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for her commitment and dedication to the Canal community. Her impact is immeasurable, as her teaching not only equips her students with language skills but also empowers them to pursue their dreams. 

“Over the last 20 years I have taught over 900 students,” said Catherine. These efforts have been instrumental in providing opportunities for growth and advancement for each and every one of her pupils.