Inspiring English Language Learners
  I love this picture! I know is not the best picture you've seen but is the moment captured in the image what I love the most. This is me in this picture. It was a January day in 1994. I was 15 years old. My two younger sisters and I were on one of many buses in our journey from Guatemala to Mexico. Three undocumented and unaccompanied minors with so much fear that words cannot describe; but also with so much faith for a better future. I can tell you exactly what I was thinking at that moment...
The school enrollment process was very quick and in no time I was attending school. I was enrolled at Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village, NY. I wish I had a picture of my first day of school because I'm pretty sure I had the biggest smile you can imagine. I was fascinated with the building and with all the goodies I was offered upon enrollment. I was beyond excited to begin attending school. Finally an opportunity to be a kid and begin learning to one day reach the success I had always dreamed of. Unfortunately, 3 years later, I walked out of the school in shame, disappointment, and heartbroken. I became part of the Latino High school dropout. I was told I couldn't graduate or obtain my high school diploma because of an end-of-grade test I had been unable to pass. I couldn't continue attending school because I had already completed all the required credits. However, today, I realize that it was more than just a test what hindered my education. You see, a test score doesn't determine success. A grade doesn't say students' dreams. A pop-quiz doesn't demonstrate potential, much less my passion. This is why I wish my teachers knew...
I share this because the need for educators to know how our newcomers and ESL students are feeling in the classroom is critical. I can't tell you how many times my students express the sense of failure they have because they are language learners. The need for culturally responsive teaching is greater today that it has ever been. If you have a newcomer or an English language learner, I beg you, take the time to get to know your student. STOP your focus on data, testing, and curriculum alone! Gain their hearts. Learn their story. Help them reach their potential. Let them feel that they MATTER! I promise the language and academic development will follow these priorities. It is never too late to change your focus. Reach out for support and provide opportunities for our students to grow to be successful citizens. Here is a post I wrote about ways to support newcomers in your classroom. and here is a great post by Tan Huynh about essential collaboration to support English Learners. Thank you for reading!
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 Here’s a very simple question for you; Are you a casual reader or a passionate reader?!? To help you answer this question let’s analyze the characteristics of these traits:   I used to be a casual reader. I read because I had to, not because I enjoyed it. I own these books here because they were required readings during my undergrad and grad school teaching courses. I kept them because I found them very useful and I’ve used them for the past few years as resources and recommendations. However, not one book in there I purchased because of a desire to read and gain knowledge. My life as a reader was sad and pitiful. I didn’t realize it until I read this quote by Pernille Ripp’s: “...if reading is merely something we teach, and not something we live, then why should students take us seriously when we tell them how important reading is to future success.” Now, if you are a teacher, you probably own hundreds of children’s books...at least I do. I’m always on the lookout for the latest and best books to use in lessons and to encourage my students to read more. Our job as educators is to grow readers and instill how import reading is to their academic success. In reality, I was not living what I was teaching my students. The expectation I had for them, I didn’t have it for myself. I realized that I was being a hypocrite. I was trying to inspire my students to do something I wasn’t passionate about. Pernille Ripp’s words hit me so hard that I started looking for ways to change my reading habits. Of course, to make such drastic change, I realized I couldn’t do it alone and that my readings needed to be intentional to be able to grow as a reader. So I’d like to highlight the platforms that helped me become a Passionate Reader:
 These are all the badges I earned over the summer! Though it was very nice to get these badges, it was the relationship I built with the group participants that encouraged me to continue participating in the chats. Ever since I’ve joined this group chat, I’ve added so many more books to my bookshelf...and the list keeps growing. I am learning to LOVE reading. I am buying books because I want to experience what others are experiencing when reading their recommended books. I make time every day to read my books. I am also enjoying sharing what I find interesting in a book using #bookSnaps, Padlet and blogging about my readings. I am growing as a reader, as a person, and as a professional. I am just a book and a chat away from the perfect personalized professional development I can ask for.  My Fall and Winter are already looking great with these fantastic chats lined up for us! Now, #BookcampPD is offering even more opportunities of engagement by adding the VOXER PD version of book chat!! I learned to use this new app and love hearing other’s books recommendations and perspectives on their readings.
You see, the platforms, the tools, and passionate readers are out there ready for you to join their passion!! I would love for you to check out these two hashtags and join the fun conversations; however, my intention is to ignite in you the passion for reading. The passion for starting and finishing a book to happily find someone to share it with. The passion to get lost in a book. Perhaps these inspirational reading quotes can also inspire you! I feel very confident encouraging you to read because I am now a PASSIONATE READER! “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ~ R. G. Collingwood Happy reading! Thank you for reading!! On November 2nd through the 4th, I had the greatest opportunity and privilege to attend the TESOL convention in Houston, TX. One of the reasons I wanted to go to this convention was because I have two sisters who live in Houston and wanted an opportunity to visit them. The other reason I really wanted to go was that I wanted to meet a lot of my Twitter friends who were also attending. I submitted a proposal and it was accepted! As matter of fact, I was honored to be one of their featured speakers!! My little sister was able to be with me during my presentation! I was so thrilled to have her there!! I was very excited to present my Teaching Channel project. If you are interested in reviewing my powerpoint presentation or my padlet ...here they are: Presentation: PowerPoint and Padlet Before the convention, I had the opportunity to visit Stratford High School in Houston. English learners at this school are in Carol Salva's ENL class and over the past few months, I have created a very strong connection with her students. Read more here! I loved hugging and high-fiving these brave students. I felt like I have known them for so long. I had all of them sign my copy of Boosting Achievement book since the majority are in it! I can tell they felt privileged autographing a book that was written about their success. I was so much fun meeting face to face most of my Twitter friends who were at the convention. We hugged, laughed, and shared so much! I promise you, by the end of the convention, I was exhausted!!! Of course one of the biggest highlights was to hear (great presenter by the way) and meet our ESL idol...THE Dr. Stephen Krashen! I think every language acquisition method is based on Dr. Krashen's theory! We were fortunate to have our picture taken with him. I was able to get him to autograph my copy of Boosting Achievement book since there's a section that talks about one of his theories... "Compelling Input"!
I had the best time ever. I must say that this was by far the BEST convention I have ever attended! I am looking forward to continuing strengthening my relationship with my PLN and practice everything I learned through each fabulous presentations.
We tweeted like crazy during the conference so if you have time...check out the convention hashtag: #TXtesol2017 Thank you for reading! |
