Strength in Approach

A Biographical Sketch of Lia Ridley

My life experiences have contributed to my present understanding and proficiency in teaching. A running theme throughout my life from the earliest years has been “overcoming obstacles.” In my native country of Romania, I spoke Hungarian for the first six years of my life. When I entered kindergarten I didn’t speak Romanian, the prominent national language. Because I was forced to speak it in school, I devised a plan to learn it quickly in order to avoid being separated from my peer group. After overcoming this challenge I felt that it was possible to successfully conquer any future challenges that might confront me.

In Communist Romania, due to being Jewish, I was not allowed to continue schooling beyond the fifth grade level. Though I had earned top grades, had won awards and possessed teacher endorsements, the government’s policy was rigidly fixed. After weighing my situation, my responsive plan was to train as a dancer, which necessitated that I leave my family. Fortunately, in the eleventh hour my family and I received our passports to Israel. Though this was welcome news the transition of leaving Romania was difficult and fearful. We had to depart rapidly, leaving the majority of our belongings.

Once in Israel, at age 12, I had to learn my third language, with its unique alphabet system. My second major adjustment was to fit into a new culture, to assimilate its customs and to make new friends. In two years I learned Hebrew, became comfortable in the Israeli culture and had several good friends. At age 14 I moved with my family to the United States. We settled in Denver because my father’s brother had lived there for several years and had secured a work position for my father.

As a young teen in this culture, I found my most challenging life situation. I was placed in a special education remedial reading class, only because I was non-English speaking. In the early sixties, English as a Second Language (ESL) was unavailable in Denver schools. Within the first two years I was able to adequately learn English, adjust to the culture and make new friends.

In spite of all the challenges and perhaps because of them, given my particular character and personality, I not only survived but began to thrive personally and professionally. I realized that people approach challenges in various ways, but of prime importance is the overcoming itself. We become stronger by continually pushing beyond our former level of accomplishment in order to increase our capacities for personal expression and enjoyment.