The story takes place in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where an unprecedented number of students are multilingual learners. That’s because the majority of these students are Latino.
This has led teachers to re-examine the way they connect with children.
In this English language development lesson, flags from around the world line the walls as students navigate through new lessons.
“When you start learning English, you can feel comfortable in school and learn more things,” said seventh-grader Ximena Vazquez Lorenzo.
Lorenzo has been learning English in recent years after moving from Mexico. She is one of more than 3,400 Spanish-speaking students in the Norristown Area School District in Montgomery County.
“Over the past five years, we’ve seen an increase of about 60% in the number of multilingual students coming to the district. It’s been a great thing for us, but we’ve also had to make a lot of changes,” said Dr. Kristin Larsen, English language development supervisor.
Some of these changes include: strengthening their English language development program, hiring more multilingual teachers, and expanding their newcomer program for students in their first year of living in the US.
“We know we have undocumented families in our buildings, and the question is, how can we support them?” said Mr. Julio Nuñez, principal of the Roosevelt campus of Norristown Area High School.
For Nuñez, this issue of providing resources to immigrant families hits close to home.
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“I graduated from Norristown Area High School many moons ago,” Nuñez said. “And now coming back here as a teacher is truly an honor.”
Nuñez is now the principal of the same school where his teachers helped him learn English after he moved from Mexico at age 15.
“I came here as an undocumented student, and just like you heard from our students, it’s hard without the language and without understanding where to go and who to ask for help,” he said. “So it’s so important to have someone they can go to.”
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Alexander Armas and his family are now working with Spanish-speaking community liaisons to help parents navigate the district.
“I think just the fact that we get that extra kind of support really helps families get a feel for the school,” Armas said.
“Chances are you’re going to find someone who can interpret for you, who can translate for you,” Nuñez said. “And that’s a big difference. It’s the difference between students graduating or not. Really, it’s that important.”
And it doesn’t stop at graduation. For the first time this year, 25 students will graduate with the ‘PA Seal of Biliteracy’, allowing employers and universities to identify those who are bilingual.
“That’s something we know helps [them] holding on to their heritage and culture,” Nuñez said. “Really let them know that it’s not only okay to hold on to those things, but it’s praised and encouraged.”
It’s recognition that goes beyond the classroom.
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