The June Superintendent's Higher Heights Award recipients are community members Andrew Terry, Darrin Trammell, Kay Scholl, Sylvia Cedillo, Lee French, Fr. Enrique McCartney, and Sandra Alvarez. These community members have demonstrated dedication to the Hempstead community through their contributions to the Hempstead ISD Adult ESL program.
The recipients have not only opened their doors to host the Hempstead ISD Adult ESL classes but have also gone above and beyond by tutoring students, providing dinner and snacks, and most importantly, offering their time and encouragement. Their commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment is truly commendable.
In a significant initiative aimed at fostering community development, Hempstead ISD, in partnership with several local churches, launched an Adult Education program focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL). The program seeks to empower adult learners with the language skills needed for better communication and enhanced opportunities in the community.
The ESL education class, hosted by Hempstead ISD, kicked off its inaugural session on January 18, 2024. The program is designed to cater to adults who are non-native English speakers, providing them with a supportive and enriching environment to improve their language proficiency.
Hempstead ISD believes that education is a lifelong journey, and the ESL program reflects the district's commitment to extending educational resources beyond traditional boundaries. The program is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, creating a variety of perspectives within the learning space.
"We recognize the importance of language proficiency in today's interconnected world. By offering ESL classes to adults, we aim to break down language barriers and empower individuals to actively engage in their communities, access better employment opportunities, and participate more fully in the educational experiences of their children," Hempstead ISD Director of Bilingual and ESL, Margarita Paramore, said.
The ESL curriculum is structured to cover fundamental language skills, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Experienced educators with a specialization in teaching English as a second language lead the classes, ensuring that participants receive comprehensive and effective instruction.
The program has already garnered positive feedback from participants who express gratitude for the opportunity to enhance their language skills in a welcoming and encouraging environment.
“I like how dynamic and engaging the classes are,” Isela Rosales, ESL class participant, explained. “Our teacher is hands-on and we have activities that have helped me to lose my fear of speaking English. I feel that the classes are a judge-free zone and we are free to try.”
Hempstead ISD is lucky to have supportive community members. Our June Higher Heights award recipient's efforts have made a significant impact on the Hempstead community.