I had a very unique classroom for my first year of teaching. I taught at an entirely English as a Second Language school. All of my students were English Language Learners and some had not even attended school up to that point in their lives. My wonderful students came from all of the world--Mexico, Thailand, Honduras, Vietnam, South Korea, Africa, and even more! They all had a story to tell and I can't even begin to express the growth I experienced in one year alone.
Being able to teach students that are new immigrants, refugees, and asylum
seekers is an experience that can only push you to be the best teacher you can
possibly be. In a year or less, I
have to prepare these students to not only speak English, but read,
write, and perform on their given grade level in English. This is despite their
personal hurdles of no schooling and little to no knowledge of the English
language. I have gained great
insight into the potential and capabilities of not just young people, but
English language learners as an entire population. I urge my ESL students, daily, to remember their endless
future possibilities with being able to speak more than one language, because
that is not a hindrance but an asset.
There were ups, downs, sweat, tears and hugs (thankfully no blood haha!), but ultimately it all came with a lesson--so I'd say my first year of teaching, I was really the biggest student of all!
