From effort to inspiration, Graciela Peters helps others find new opportunities

Wichita Kansas | June 3, 2025

By Claudia Amaro | Planeta Venus

Graciela Peters, Student Success Coach, helps other Latinos achieve their dreams through education.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” said the great author Seneca.

We often see people in our community succeed, achieve the so-called American dream, or simply live a more fulfilling life, and we say, “Wow! That person is so lucky.” The reality is that these accomplishments are usually the result of perseverance, hard work, and the willingness to change circumstances that often keep people stuck for years.

Graciela Peters arrived in the Kansas City area in 2020, during the pandemic. She had decided to take a break from her career as a preschool teacher in Durango, Mexico, and spend some vacation time in the U.S. with friends. What was supposed to be a short visit was extended much longer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented her from returning home. Stranded by the circumstances, she sought work to support herself while her situation was resolved — and along the way, she also found love.

“In the beginning, I had to do very hard jobs like everyone else,” Peters said. “Even though I had a degree in education and two master’s degrees in Mexico, I had to start from scratch.”

Although she had studied English for years in Mexico, Peters often felt frustrated at not being able to speak the language fluently in the United States. Her marriage to an American helped her improve, but each time she tried to enroll in English classes, there were no available spots.

Because of her then-husband’s job, Peters relocated to Wichita, Kansas, where she found more resources to continue learning English. “During my search, I saw an ad for NexStep Alliance and decided to enroll in English classes,” she said, not realizing that step would change her life.

Based in Wichita, NexStep Alliance is Goodwill's education program that offers adult education programs such as GED classes, English as a Second Language (ESL), and the A-OK (Accelerating Opportunity Kansas) program, which includes tuition-free college courses. The organization also provides other community services, most of which are free or low-cost. NexStep currently has multiple campus locations in Wichita and plans to expand further. It is a program by Goodwill.

After long and exhausting workdays, Peters showed up consistently to her English classes. At times, she questioned whether all the sacrifice — going hungry or skipping rest — was worth it in the pursuit of better opportunities.

According to Peters, once a student scores 530 or higher on their English placement exams at NexStep Alliance, they become eligible to pursue their GED or even enroll in a technical career program. Her teachers continually encouraged her and pushed her to keep going.

When she finally reached the required score, her advisor called her into the office to discuss enrolling in a career training program. “As she talked, I told myself I needed to go back to school. It was such a big opportunity,” Peters said. However, the careers being offered didn’t align with her background in education, and she let the advisor know.

Upon learning about her extensive professional background, the advisor suggested a degree transfer. Peters became the first person to initiate that process at NexStep Alliance. She not only felt grateful for the opportunity, but also applied for and received a scholarship that covered the cost of the degree transfer process.

“They sent all my documents to a company that translates and certifies them,” Peters explained. “Two months later, I received everything back, fully certified.”

For Peters, education has not only been a career — it’s been a lifelong calling. From her years as a preschool teacher to her own continued development, she always had a sense of purpose. “Our coach used to ask us to think about our ideal job,” she recalled. “After carrying heavy boxes and walking up to nine miles at my old job, NexStep Alliance gave me that ideal job.”

Graciela Peters, sitting in her office, where she welcomes English language students who wish to continue their studies at NexStep Alliance.

Once her degree was officially recognized, Peters resigned from her previous job on July 4 and accepted a position with Goodwill’s NexStep Alliance education program as a Student Success Coach. Now, she guides others who, like her, are taking their first step toward transformation — learning English. Despite the sacrifices and exhaustion, many of those students eventually find the job of their dreams.

Stories like Peters’ inspire and motivate, though we often overlook the effort behind them. Throughout this journey, she missed her family deeply — the family she had left behind for what were supposed to be short “vacations” — and mourned the loss of her mother, whom she was never able to say goodbye to.

Her experience reflects that of many immigrants who pack their dreams into a suitcase and step into the unknown, watching opportunities pass by. Whether they take those chances or remain in their comfort zones depends on each person.

“Job training, employment, and life opportunities are the priorities at NexStep Alliance,” said Peters, who is proud to be Latina and now supports Spanish-speaking adults. “Latinos often have fears and feel ashamed. I hope more Latinos come to me because I’m one of them.”

When asked if she believes in luck or in actively seeking out opportunity, Peters replied, “I think everyone has luck. The problem is we’re so mentally blocked, we don’t see the opportunities.”

For Peters, mental health is key to recognizing and seizing life’s opportunities. Her goal is for the Latino community to find success — and now, through her role, she’s helping others access the same path she found.

If you’re interested in continuing your education — whether by learning English, getting your GED, or enrolling in a technical career — you can reach out to Graciela Peters at 316-833-1589 or email gpeters@goodwillks.org.

Peters' office is located in the new Goodwill Opportunity Center, located inside Evergreen Recreation Park at 2700 N Woodland, Ste. D. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services include job readiness training and support, resume preparation, digital literacy training, GED tutoring, English language classes, and citizenship preparation services, among others.