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If You Only Knew: Letters From an Immigrant Teacher
Emily Francis’ If You Only Knew tells her story — from her childhood in Guatemala, where she worked in her mother’s fruit-selling business and helped raise her four younger siblings, through her journey into the United States as an undocumented, unaccompanied minor, and to her experience fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher — through a series of letters she writes to eight immigrant students in whom she sees pieces of herself.
- GenresNonfiction
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
17 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Emily Francis
6 books70 followersMy name is Astrid Emily Francis. I was born in Guatemala and came to the United States at age 15. I am married to David, a wonderful and caring man, and I have two wonderful children: David and Hannah.
I am the oldest of five siblings (I have three sisters and one brother). I love my mother, Leslie; her strength is why I have lived my dream.
I teach at Concord High School in Concord, North Carolina. In this position, I work with students at all four high school levels with varying English proficiency levels. My experience as an English learner inspired me to become an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. I deeply understand the challenges my students must overcome to achieve success. I go beyond my teaching responsibilities to build a relationship with the school community that supports student learning.
I earned a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and a Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) from UNC-Charlotte. I have served as a professional development facilitator, motivational speaker for newly hired teachers, keynote speaker, ESL Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader, teacher liaison for the Cabarrus County Board of Education, 2016 Teacher of the Year, cooperating teacher, and mentor to beginning ESL teachers.
As a leader, my motto and focus are to INSPIRE students to dream, learn, do, and achieve more.
I am the oldest of five siblings (I have three sisters and one brother). I love my mother, Leslie; her strength is why I have lived my dream.
I teach at Concord High School in Concord, North Carolina. In this position, I work with students at all four high school levels with varying English proficiency levels. My experience as an English learner inspired me to become an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. I deeply understand the challenges my students must overcome to achieve success. I go beyond my teaching responsibilities to build a relationship with the school community that supports student learning.
I earned a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and a Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) from UNC-Charlotte. I have served as a professional development facilitator, motivational speaker for newly hired teachers, keynote speaker, ESL Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader, teacher liaison for the Cabarrus County Board of Education, 2016 Teacher of the Year, cooperating teacher, and mentor to beginning ESL teachers.
As a leader, my motto and focus are to INSPIRE students to dream, learn, do, and achieve more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 31, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Seidlitz Education for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Ms Francis, an ESL teacher who arrived in the US as an undocumented immigrant at the age of 15, shares letters to her students that reveal connections to their experiences.
I liked the concept a lot, but it felt like the author had a bit of a savior complex. There was a lot of "I'm doing this because I wish someone had done it for me," which I can understand, but it felt repetitive. I also felt like her students could have really benefitted from hearing these stories directly, instead of writing them indirectly in letter format.
Ms Francis, an ESL teacher who arrived in the US as an undocumented immigrant at the age of 15, shares letters to her students that reveal connections to their experiences.
I liked the concept a lot, but it felt like the author had a bit of a savior complex. There was a lot of "I'm doing this because I wish someone had done it for me," which I can understand, but it felt repetitive. I also felt like her students could have really benefitted from hearing these stories directly, instead of writing them indirectly in letter format.
August 15, 2022
As an elementary school librarian and a former ESL teacher, reading Emily’s story and hearing about her grit and perseverance in spite of setbacks is so inspiring and encouraging. It also reminds me that it often takes just ONE supportive person in a student’s life to make all the difference between success and failure. Time and time again throughout her story, there are key moments where a kind person could have had or did have a significant impact, and it is such a critical reminder as an educator that every student matters—every day. What we do and say matters, sometimes far more than we realize, and taking that little bit of extra time to nurture our students can help them find a pathway to success.
I also loved that Emily shared the importance of sharing our own stories, not only through authoring her own book, but also through activities and lessons she highlighted in the book, as well as times that she shared herself—the good and the bad—and was willing to be vulnerable. This humanizes teachers for our students, helps with building trusting relationships so they can learn better, and shows others walking a similar path that success is possible, and that hard things can be achieved, regardless of where or how your story begins.
I am so proud of Emily for sharing her journey, highlighting a narrative of how immigrants are successful, hardworking contributors to our country, and showing the world that ESL teachers give students a treasure by opening the doors to every other subject that is taught through the magic of language learning. She’s an inspiration and I hope that this book is read by as many teachers and students as possible!
I also loved that Emily shared the importance of sharing our own stories, not only through authoring her own book, but also through activities and lessons she highlighted in the book, as well as times that she shared herself—the good and the bad—and was willing to be vulnerable. This humanizes teachers for our students, helps with building trusting relationships so they can learn better, and shows others walking a similar path that success is possible, and that hard things can be achieved, regardless of where or how your story begins.
I am so proud of Emily for sharing her journey, highlighting a narrative of how immigrants are successful, hardworking contributors to our country, and showing the world that ESL teachers give students a treasure by opening the doors to every other subject that is taught through the magic of language learning. She’s an inspiration and I hope that this book is read by as many teachers and students as possible!
July 25, 2023
I had the privilege of hearing Emily Francis speak when she was named teacher of the year. Her inspiring story brought me to tears then just like her book did now. The format was interesting and original and a perfect way to tell her story and highlight the struggles of her students. 5 gigantic stars!!!
November 28, 2023
just finished reading this book for class. i did not really enjoy it- maybe just because it was for class so i found it boring and pointless, or maybe because i found the dynamic of a teacher sharing incredibly personal stories and topics with her high school students to be odd and uncomfortable and beyond what a teacher should be sharing. it was interesting to hear the stories from a different cultural perspective and experience, but i wish it were formatted differently. maybe i'm just not the right audience for this book. overall i would not recommend it, i'm sure there are many books out there with a similar impact that are better written
January 7, 2023
I enjoyed the heartfelt tales Ms. Francis divulged to her students. Each letter was written with such uplifting encouragement, I could not help but feel inspired. I can only hope I am able to also inspire my students. Each letter is personal to each student, while revealing yet another bit of the author's journey.I am so glad I found this!
January 22, 2023
Phenomenal!!!
Read
March 27, 2025From my heart to yours. I hope you like it & inspires you to share YOUR own story.
June 21, 2022
If You Only Knew recounts the author's own immigration journey to the US through heartfelt letters to her own immigrant students. While a collection of letters, this book is really a memoir.
Emily Francis, the author spent her childhood helping her mother to make ends meet by selling oranges, while also caring for her younger siblings as a second (and sometimes in reality, only) mother. Her mother's ultimate decision to leave her 5 children alone in Guatemala while she made her way to New York left Emily totally in charge at a time when only letters served as a vehicle of communication. Emily, faced with this enormous responsibility found getting to school almost impossible, and keeping her siblings in line was a challenge.
Finally, Emily and her siblings are able to make the trip to the US through Mexico with a coyote, eventually landing in New York as unaccompanied minors. Through divine intervention they are allowed to stay in the US, and it is at that time that Emily begins to pursue her own education as an ESL student, working her way through a maze as she seeks to fill in the gaps left from her interrupted education in Guatemala. As she makes her way to college, and to a master's degree and fulfills her ambition to become an ESL teacher, we realize how and why Emily is able to relate so strongly to her students. She becomes the teacher that she wished she'd had, the person she wished she could have looked up to.
Emily's story is one of hardships and pain, but it is also one of optimism and hope. She shows us what it means to really be a teacher...to be one's teacher for life, as evidenced by her signature at the end of each letter: Your teacher always. A riveting story that grabs you from the first page, this is a must read for all teachers.
#netgalley
Emily Francis, the author spent her childhood helping her mother to make ends meet by selling oranges, while also caring for her younger siblings as a second (and sometimes in reality, only) mother. Her mother's ultimate decision to leave her 5 children alone in Guatemala while she made her way to New York left Emily totally in charge at a time when only letters served as a vehicle of communication. Emily, faced with this enormous responsibility found getting to school almost impossible, and keeping her siblings in line was a challenge.
Finally, Emily and her siblings are able to make the trip to the US through Mexico with a coyote, eventually landing in New York as unaccompanied minors. Through divine intervention they are allowed to stay in the US, and it is at that time that Emily begins to pursue her own education as an ESL student, working her way through a maze as she seeks to fill in the gaps left from her interrupted education in Guatemala. As she makes her way to college, and to a master's degree and fulfills her ambition to become an ESL teacher, we realize how and why Emily is able to relate so strongly to her students. She becomes the teacher that she wished she'd had, the person she wished she could have looked up to.
Emily's story is one of hardships and pain, but it is also one of optimism and hope. She shows us what it means to really be a teacher...to be one's teacher for life, as evidenced by her signature at the end of each letter: Your teacher always. A riveting story that grabs you from the first page, this is a must read for all teachers.
#netgalley
September 26, 2022
Emily Francis’s heart, dedication, and compassion for her immigrant students sings on every page of “If You Only Knew: Letters from an Immigrant Teacher.”
This is a book brimming with love. Francis intimately understands the stories, journeys, and experiences of her immigrant students because as a former immigrant student herself she has walked in her students’ shoes.
Through these beautiful letters to her students, Francis weaves her own story of growing up in Guatemala, traveling to the United States, and learning in US schools.
Drawing on her lived experience, Francis offers her students wisdom and affirmation of their many identities. She recognizes the challenges they face and celebrates on every page their many many strengths.
Through these beautiful letters to her students, Francis shares too a powerful message for teachers - the essential importance of building a classroom founded on trust and acceptance, creating space and time to build relationships with students so that they feel safe and seen, recognizing students’ many strengths, and working to support and nurture for students a sense of belonging.
Every teacher should rush to read this book and every classroom should have a copy.
This is a book brimming with love. Francis intimately understands the stories, journeys, and experiences of her immigrant students because as a former immigrant student herself she has walked in her students’ shoes.
Through these beautiful letters to her students, Francis weaves her own story of growing up in Guatemala, traveling to the United States, and learning in US schools.
Drawing on her lived experience, Francis offers her students wisdom and affirmation of their many identities. She recognizes the challenges they face and celebrates on every page their many many strengths.
Through these beautiful letters to her students, Francis shares too a powerful message for teachers - the essential importance of building a classroom founded on trust and acceptance, creating space and time to build relationships with students so that they feel safe and seen, recognizing students’ many strengths, and working to support and nurture for students a sense of belonging.
Every teacher should rush to read this book and every classroom should have a copy.
March 11, 2024
In compassionate, hopeful, and honest prose, Emily Francis shares her life story through a series of letters to her students, revealing her challenges and triumphs as she moved from Guatemala and became an acclaimed ESL teacher.
I read this for a professional development course (we will meet the author soon!), and Francis's wisdom stood out to me. Her story is very similar to the stories of many children coming to the U.S., and as she connects to the students, she teaches the teachers what their students may have gone through. This makes for a great discussion book, as you can talk about takeaways and lessons from each chapter.
If you want to learn more about immigration through the eyes of someone who came to the U.S. with her sisters to start a new life, run and read this book!
I read this for a professional development course (we will meet the author soon!), and Francis's wisdom stood out to me. Her story is very similar to the stories of many children coming to the U.S., and as she connects to the students, she teaches the teachers what their students may have gone through. This makes for a great discussion book, as you can talk about takeaways and lessons from each chapter.
If you want to learn more about immigration through the eyes of someone who came to the U.S. with her sisters to start a new life, run and read this book!
February 26, 2025
I have seen Emily present at OH TESOL in the past and ever since, this book has been at the top of my TBR. After finally getting to read it, I am so glad I did. As an EL Coordinator and previous high school EL teacher, a lot of what she wrote to her students hits home. The flow of the story was great, I enjoyed learning bits of her story and finally wrapping the entire story together in the last letter. I personally loved that it is formatted as letters to her students. It feels very personable and relatable.
So much of Emily’s story is applicable to my students and it makes me think harder about how to best support them like Emily does. Emily, if you’re reading this, thank you. Thank you for sharing your story, even though it’s an emotional one (I have been holding back tears throughout the entire book and this review) and for all you do to give your students a better educational experience. I look forward to reading more from you and hearing you speak again in the future!
So much of Emily’s story is applicable to my students and it makes me think harder about how to best support them like Emily does. Emily, if you’re reading this, thank you. Thank you for sharing your story, even though it’s an emotional one (I have been holding back tears throughout the entire book and this review) and for all you do to give your students a better educational experience. I look forward to reading more from you and hearing you speak again in the future!
July 15, 2023
Emily Francis was a keynote speaker at a conference I attended and her personal story was so moving! I enjoyed reading her book because I could see so many of my students in the pages. Ms. Francis intertwined her journey with the experiences her students were dealing with in such a caring and supportive way.
January 29, 2025
Wonderful book written to her ESL students describing her journey to the US. I heard her speak and a recent conference and she is truly amazing. You can feel her passion for her students through her story.
August 30, 2025
Interesting content. The writing style got old for me a little bit in, making it a slow read.
March 3, 2023
Must-read for ALL educators! I think this is definitely a great read for educators not familiar with ELL or immigrant populations.
I love how Emily connected with each of her students through these letters, both acknowledging that she sees them as individuals, and also by sharing her own story. After a rough day of advocating as an ELL teacher myself, it was great to read because it reminded me of why I do this.
This book simultaneously provides the student and teacher perspectives. It is easy to see how Emily’s teenage years lacked a special connection with any teacher, which is exactly what she decided to provide for others.
Something I admire about Emily and other ELL teachers I have met is that we always find a way to make something happen. We are resourceful. Emily ensured throughout the book that students have what they need. She ensured they know the opportunities and possibilities out there. She teaches students how to advocate for themselves. There are many barriers to overcome but there’s almost always some way around it — it’s just a matter of finding it and continuing to dig until you find what you’re looking for.
Thank you, Emily, for sharing your story!! I will be recommending it to many!
I love how Emily connected with each of her students through these letters, both acknowledging that she sees them as individuals, and also by sharing her own story. After a rough day of advocating as an ELL teacher myself, it was great to read because it reminded me of why I do this.
This book simultaneously provides the student and teacher perspectives. It is easy to see how Emily’s teenage years lacked a special connection with any teacher, which is exactly what she decided to provide for others.
Something I admire about Emily and other ELL teachers I have met is that we always find a way to make something happen. We are resourceful. Emily ensured throughout the book that students have what they need. She ensured they know the opportunities and possibilities out there. She teaches students how to advocate for themselves. There are many barriers to overcome but there’s almost always some way around it — it’s just a matter of finding it and continuing to dig until you find what you’re looking for.
Thank you, Emily, for sharing your story!! I will be recommending it to many!
January 19, 2024
This book gave me a lot to think about. I loved the way she told her story through letters to her students
April 19, 2025
As a middle school teacher reading Emily’s book brought reality to my teaching world! This book was so impactful, and I learned so much. Truly enjoyed every story and hearing the connections.
December 28, 2022
From one ESL teacher to another, I’m grateful I came across this book. Emily’s story is inspiring, relatable, and so important. Thank you for sharing this with us all! Your students are lucky to have you ⭐️
March 8, 2023
Every teacher should read this book, the stories were touching and made you think.
August 1, 2024
This book was so moving and eye opening to the perspective of immigrant students in the United States. The connections that were drawn to her students were so personal and compassionate. I bought this book after listening to Emily Francis during a zoom conference for a class of mine, and was so eager to read it and get a glimpse into the experiences and needs of ESL students. I highly recommend this book for current educators.
November 2, 2025
It's an amazing read, full of inspiration through heartache! The epitome of the perseverance of an immigrant, English learner student! It is a great book for students and adults alike!
October 28, 2022
What an amazing connection Emily has with her students. To have walked in their shoes, to have felt what they feel…it’s priceless! Emily, thank you for sharing your story and being an inspiration to not only your students but to other educators as well! The love and compassion you have for students shines through in every letter you wrote. The strength that you had and that our students have is incredible and inspiring. This is a MUST READ! ❤️
May 11, 2023
If you teach students from other cultures, this book needs to be put on your to-read list immediately! Emily Francis does such a beautiful job of sharing what students of diverse backgrounds experience in our school systems. In doing so, she also emphasizes the importance of being the teacher whom these students need - the teacher whom she herself needed when she arrived in the U.S.!
Francis appears to have a relationship with her students that I strive to develop with my own in the coming school year. Though this will be my fifth year teaching, this will be my first time teaching both Spanish learners AND English learners. While teaching the language is important, Francis has reminded me that it is necessary that these students know that I'm there for them and am rooting for them every day.
There were times when I felt like Francis's sharing of her personal story within the letters detracted slightly from her students' stories and struggles, but I see the importance of including it. Overall, highly recommend this book and am so happy to have read it!
Francis appears to have a relationship with her students that I strive to develop with my own in the coming school year. Though this will be my fifth year teaching, this will be my first time teaching both Spanish learners AND English learners. While teaching the language is important, Francis has reminded me that it is necessary that these students know that I'm there for them and am rooting for them every day.
There were times when I felt like Francis's sharing of her personal story within the letters detracted slightly from her students' stories and struggles, but I see the importance of including it. Overall, highly recommend this book and am so happy to have read it!
September 3, 2022
North Carolina ESL Teacher Emily Francis has written a love letter to her students, past, present, and future. She writes to encourage them to do more, to be more. As she writes to her students, she remembers her own journey. Emily did not have a lot of encouragement from her educators. She has made it her goal to teach, encourage, and love her students. This is a must read for all classroom teachers because we all need to learn from those we teach. Thank you to Seidlitz and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.
September 23, 2025
This is not only a tremendously inspiring story but also a powerful pedagogical strategy to guide students to connect with their own identity. Writing impactful stories often takes empowering about our own stories and by doing that, particularly students feel the real protagonists of thier own life.
July 9, 2023
As Emily Francis shared the stories of her students and herself, I could picture my own ESL students. Our students have rich, diverse, complex, and sometimes heartbreaking backgrounds. This book shares their stories and her own in the most beautiful way.
June 9, 2022
Emily brilliantly weaves her and her students’ stories to give us the origin stories of our newcomer students. What a beautiful testament of resiliency, determination and- above all- hope.
March 1, 2024
An excellent and informative book that kept me motivated to complete a documentary I was working on for my thesis project in graduate school at Wake Forest.
I discovered this book by way of the elementary school in South Carolina that I taught at when I worked for City Year. As I read the emotional stories that Mrs. Francis shared, they reminded me of the conversations I had with the elementary school ESL students I taught while working for City Year back in 2018. Those student’s stories inspired me to create a documentary about the “Plyler v. Doe” case for my thesis project when I started graduate school. Coincidentally, I ended up featuring a former student from Mrs. Francis’ school in my project. In early 2019, I had the privilege of meeting the Principal and Girl’s Soccer coach at her school while filming for the documentary, but I had no idea Mrs. Francis was there, so it was a nice surprise to stumble across her book a few years later.
Despite the major setbacks, turmoil and harassment I faced while trying to complete my project I found renewed inspiration from this book to complete my thesis project and to continue with other documentary work related to immigration, education and protecting a child's ability to go to school. I definitely wish there was a way to get in contact with Mrs. Francis so I could share my documentary with her, so she can see how her book positively influenced me.
In addition to reading this book I would suggest readers research legal cases like “Lau v. Nichols”, “Plyler v. Doe”, and “US v. Wong Kim Ark” all of which are currently under threat but provide critical legal protections to immigrant students.
I discovered this book by way of the elementary school in South Carolina that I taught at when I worked for City Year. As I read the emotional stories that Mrs. Francis shared, they reminded me of the conversations I had with the elementary school ESL students I taught while working for City Year back in 2018. Those student’s stories inspired me to create a documentary about the “Plyler v. Doe” case for my thesis project when I started graduate school. Coincidentally, I ended up featuring a former student from Mrs. Francis’ school in my project. In early 2019, I had the privilege of meeting the Principal and Girl’s Soccer coach at her school while filming for the documentary, but I had no idea Mrs. Francis was there, so it was a nice surprise to stumble across her book a few years later.
Despite the major setbacks, turmoil and harassment I faced while trying to complete my project I found renewed inspiration from this book to complete my thesis project and to continue with other documentary work related to immigration, education and protecting a child's ability to go to school. I definitely wish there was a way to get in contact with Mrs. Francis so I could share my documentary with her, so she can see how her book positively influenced me.
In addition to reading this book I would suggest readers research legal cases like “Lau v. Nichols”, “Plyler v. Doe”, and “US v. Wong Kim Ark” all of which are currently under threat but provide critical legal protections to immigrant students.
October 22, 2022
If You Only Knew is an incredible book! I just finished it, and I am sitting here just blown away by its depth of insight and love. Emily Francis gives us a masterclass in building relationships, empowering self-advocacy, and inspiring self-expression in our students. I’ve been an educator for more than 10 years, and I’ve learned more about relating to my multilingual students from If You Only Knew than from many hours of professional trainings. This is a must-read book not only for inservice teachers, but it should be required reading also for preservice teachers who are preparing to have multilingual learners in their classes. Its unique style makes this book particularly readable for teachers and students alike. I loved it!
November 5, 2022
I’ve seen Emily speak and share her story. This book delves more deeply into her experiences and highlights experiences of her students as well. I see similarities between these experiences and those of my students. It makes me more appreciative and inspired. My favorite chapters are Marco and Raquel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews