At Hawthorne Education Center, Doug Guenther and Maria Hartman open their classrooms to lawful permanent residents of the Rochester area and immigrants from near and far looking to become US citizens. The class aims to prepare students to be successful at their naturalization interview.
What does that look like for students? The citizenship class lasts 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the time of year, and is offered in person and online to provide students flexibility. Students are motivated to become United States citizens and are excited to learn the material, as the chance to become a citizen means a world of opportunity.
Though we'd like to see every student succeed after their first try, many students repeat the class and become nervous as the date nears for their interview. In the course, students review the questions from the naturalization application, 100 history and government questions, reading practice, and writing practice. The naturalization interview has four parts and is not an easy curriculum. Many of the questions would be and are difficult for even U.S.-born citizens.
When our students succeed and pass their interview, we experience their joy in completing the goal of becoming a United States citizen! Our students remind us why we should be grateful for living in the United States. We live in a country with educational and economic opportunities, freedoms protected by the Constitution, and a safe environment.
Doug and Marcia Hartman shared that one of the greatest joys in teaching the Citizenship class over the years has been that their students become their teachers as they learn about the lives and countries of their students. As US Citizens, we have so much to be thankful for and should appreciate the opportunities that are available to us every day.
Hawthorne Education Center provides free citizenship preparation classes to lawful permanent residents. To become a US citizen, you must be at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least five years. You do not need to wait until you have been a resident for five years before you begin classes and preparation. Students may be recommended to take an ESL class at the same time to improve their English skills before the exam. To enroll in Hawthorne, individuals can start by scheduling an appointment to register for classes by calling 507.328.4440 or emailing hawthorne@rochesterschools.org.