By Tiffany Merlo Phelps
mail@floridanewsline.com
Elmie Bella came to the United States in 1998 from Albania with her husband and five children in search of a better life. She had won the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery, which enabled her and her family to make the move. After arriving in New York, the family moved to Philadelphia for two years because they knew a friend there; however, no one in the family spoke English, and the challenges of daily life made Bella almost want to return home. “For six months, I cried every day,” she said. Bella’s husband worked any jobs that he could find while Bella took care of the children. Her two oldest children, just nine and 12 at the time, helped her to navigate life as they learned English in six months while in school and by studying at home. Bella’s youngest son, who was only five months old when he left Albania, ultimately learned English from television shows and inspired Bella to eventually learn too. In 2000, the family moved to NE Florida. During this time, one of her daughters told her middle school teacher that her mother needed to get a job. The teacher knew of a custodial opening at Frank H. Peterson High School which Bella secured. Bella, who at times worked five jobs to put her children through college, went on to work at various schools throughout Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties. She has worked as a custodian at Ponte Vedra High School since the year it opened in 2008, the first to be hired. On a typical day, Bella, who is affectionately known by her last name “Bella” to all those at Ponte Vedra High School, has walked 8,000 steps by 6:30 in the morning, 13,000 by lunchtime and 21,000 by the end of her workday. She is the first to admit that she prefers to be on the move. “I don’t like to stay in one space. I do not like to sit,” said Bella. What she does love is to watch out for her “kids” and to make it a great day at the school no matter the task at hand. Two of her five children graduated from Ponte Vedra High (one in the first graduating class), and it is a place that holds a special place in her heart. “I love it here. I love everyone,” said Bella. “The kids are amazing and respectful. My heart is always with the kids. I treat them as my own.”
Q: What was your career in Albania?
A: I was a preschool teacher for 16 years. I loved teaching kids at that age, and I felt very connected to them.
Q: Was it hard to leave Albania?
A: No. It was a dream to come here. We are lucky to live in America. We have so many freedoms. No one dictates what you will eat, wear or do. You have the freedom to talk, and no one will put you in jail. Your dreams can happen.
Q: What is your approach to life, and where does your work ethic come from?
A: Life is too short. We need to have respect for each other. My work ethic comes from my late parents. My mother worked as a teacher and my father was a military general. They were both educated and respected.
Q: You mentioned that you were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017 (now in remission). How did you feel supported by the school?
A: I had to undergo eight months of radiation and chemotherapy. During that time, a Go Fund Me account was set up by a member of the Ponte Vedra High family. Ponte Vedra High mothers started a food train and brought some of the nicest meals to my house. The school saved my job until I could return. It was truly amazing and something that I will never forget.
Q: Share a little bit about your family.
A: My husband and I have five adult children and four grandchildren. I like to spend as much time helping the grandchildren as I can to give my children a break.
Photo courtesy Elmie Bella
Elmie Bella (second from right) and family.
