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30 Oct 2013

The Morning Sun (Mt Pleasant, MI )

By RANDI SHAFFER The Morning Sun

M.P. schools hires English as a

Second Language teacher
It really doesnt matter what your native language is Sarah Case will communicate with you
anyway.

Mt. Pleasant English as a second language teacher Sarah Case works with freshman Abdullah
Alhudaithi at the high school on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2013. (Sun photo by LISA YANICKJONAITIS/@lisayj_msun)
Case was recently hired as the first English as a Second Language teacher in the Mt. Pleasant
school district.
Case, a 2012 graduate of Central Michigan University, has been tutoring ESL students in the district
for the past few months.
At first they didnt know what they would need, and so they thought, Oh, well, well just hire a
tutor, Case said. Quickly they realized a tutor would not be enough.
Case double majored in English and Spanish, and added ESL to her degree later in the program.
Kim Funnell, the districts state and federal grant coordinator, said that the Mt. Pleasant district is
jumping onboard with the trend in providing these services as required by the Office of Civil Rights.
All of the program guidance is coming from the state of Michigan, she said.
Case was originally hired to test each students English proficiency level.
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We werent sure the population we were going to find, Funnell said. As she screened all of our
kids and identified all of our learners, we quickly decided that we need to do more than just the one or
two time a week tutoring.
In the past, Funnell said, the district had employed two English language tutors who worked
primarily in elementary buildings.
The district then started reaching out to CMU students in order to hire tutors for the ESL students
in the district.
Instead of continually spinning our wheels, trying to find ways to support our students, we
decided to take a proactive approach, and hire our own certified English as a Second Language
instructor, Funnell said.
Case said she starts her day at West Intermediate three times a week to work with two eighth
grade students.
Then, she said, she works with seven or eight students at the high school.
Each students proficiency level determines the amount of time she spends with them.
And, she said, her door is always open for walkin students who need extra time or support with
their studies.
While Case works with students now as their schedules allow, starting next trimester, shell offer
her own class for small amounts of students, so they dont have to be pulled out of their core classes.
Its much more structured, Funnell said. She developed a very nice course description.
Case said the hardest part of her job is building a connection with her students, but when they
start feeling comfortable enough to communicate with her, its incredibly rewarding.
Language is something, if you dont feel safe or comfortable making mistakes or practicing with it,
then youre not going to be able to use it, ever, she said. Once they get some language , and they
are able to use it and express themselves, its so rewarding.
Funnell said Cases position will likely evolve year by year, and already, the teacher has become a
professional development resource for other staff members who have ESL students in her classroom.
In the immediate future, Case will be available for both students and teachers.
It is a growing need, and were not unique to that growing need, Funnell said. Its across the
country.
Morning Sun hosts essay contest
Submit a 500-word essay between now and Nov. 11 thanking our military veterans for their service
and then encourage your family, friends and colleagues to vote in the contest Nov. 12 through Nov. 26.
The winner will receive two tickets to watch the Red Wings play Dec. 7 in Detroit. The winning essay
will be published in
Redbird pet supply on East Pickard Road is hosting a pet adoption Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Clare County Animal Shelter volunteer Michelle Stone said pets from the shelter will be ofBig Brothers Big Sisters of Gratiot & Montcalm Counties is hosting its annual Harvest Moon Gala
fundraiser on Nov. 2 at the Alma Elks Club, 1400 Warwick Drive in Alma. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Ticket prices are $50 per person, $400 for a table of 8. Ticket price includes dinner, dancing, wine,
cash bar, silent and live auctions. Entertainment will be provided by Bob Crist.
For more information on how to reserve tickets, visit www.bbbsgm.org , find us on Facebook, or call
the office at 989-463-3434. All proceeds from the fundraiser go to help at-risk children in Gratiot
County.
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