A1 Good evening #ELLCHAT I answer Judie’s first question Q1 with my answer A1 - I’m Karen Nemeth - cohost of this chat and I’m consultant/author focusing on supporting ELLs (we say DLLs) in #earlyed) I’m a former Jersey girl - now in eastern PA
We welcome our new and…. experienced… #ELLCHAT friends ;) as we discuss ideas and resources on Supporting Advocacy for ELLs who are Immigrants or Refugees. Questions are welcome!
A1: Shaeley Santiago, K12 ESL instructional coach in Central Iowa. I'm looking forward to hearing others' ideas about #Advocacy4ELs on #ELLChat tonight!
Q2 I think sometimes teachers look at a student’s behavior in the here and now, not realizing the extreme experiences they’ve had in their young lives! #ELLCHAT
A2) #ellchat#edit2000mane one reason I believe refugees and immigrant students need our advocacy is because they may have had to leave their whole support system in another country and have nobody looking out for them here.
A2 I think sometimes teachers look at a student’s behavior in the here and now, not realizing the extreme experiences they’ve had in their young lives! #ELLCHAT
A2. These students and families often need a voice. Unfortunately many people do not realize the depth of their stories - these students may have experienced trauma or interrupted education. They not only need academic support, but also social-emotional. #ELLChat
A2) Parents will not be as vocal as USA parents, as well as fully trusting school "authorities". Content Ts are unaware of challenges refugee and immigrant Ss face. EL Ts mus be the first advocates for their ELs. #ELLChat
A2-1,000,000 reasons. It’s not the easiest time to be an immigrant or refugee in the U.S. Our Ss need to know there are many of us who care, and are committed to their success, and that we honor and value their lived experience. #ELLChat
A2 I guess there are 2 parts to that advocacy - 1st - understanding that a new student’s behavior and learning will be influenced by their experiences, and 2nd- to know you might not have that info right away so you have to be sensitive to each student #ELLCHAT
We need to advocate for these Ss so that they have the chance to access the rights (education, health, security, etc.) that they may have left their countries for. #ELLCHAT
In the deep South Texas, the best experience of my educational career. Our students were always eager to learn, and extremely grateful to be in class. And you? #ELLChat
A2) The 1982 U.S. Supreme Court (Plyler v. Doe) ruled that undocumented children have a constitutional right to receive a free pK–12 education. Some districts make this difficult. #ELLChat
A2: We need to advocate for these Ss so that they have the chance to access the rights (education, health, security, etc.) that they may have left their countries for. #ELLCHAT
A2) There are many reasons and I think it really depends. Each family’s situation is different. For me, two big areas I advocate are in the areas of behaviours and language acquisition process. Sometimes teachers might miss that this is connected. #ellchat
A2 - so true. Seeing themselves as worthy of respect, and worthy of friends, …. and knowing how to get those things going in their new environment. These things don’t come easily, right? #ELLCHAT
A2. These students and families often need a voice. Unfortunately many people do not realize the depth of their stories - these students may have experienced trauma or interrupted education. They not only need academic support, but also social-emotional. #ELLChat
Q2: ELL teachers are naturally in a position to advocate for refugee students and their families. Not only do they have a firsthand view of their academic needs, but also of those basic needs that exist outside of the classroom. #ELLChat
I am so happy to meet so many involved educators from all over-who support, appreciate, value, respect, and are committed to our #ESL and #Refugee students from around the world. I am honored & proud to be here among all of you! #ellchat
A3- I know our community has a wealth of great resources because of our makeup, but partnering with them for events (we are doing a welcome back breakfast tomorrow) or education opportunities (ex- how to navigate bathrooms) is a good start #ELLChat
A2: As EL ts and directors, we are the ambassadors to the school for our children and their families. We have to advocate for them because they need a voice. Without us, they wouldn't have it. Open doors and consistency are key #ELLchat
A3) Make sure students have easy access to school and school resources they need. Help with housing/outside school needs such as transportation to doctor appts. #ellchat
A3) Teach well, share knowledge and resources, and create safe places. When Ss and families have a space and person they can trust, they can look beyond just surviving #ELLChat
A3) School district should work more closely with community of immigrants/refugees. Also need to provide teachers with PD associated with serving SLIFE. School need to be aware that if a Ss is an EL the parents more than likely are ELs too. #ELLChat
A3. Provide resources, but also understand this process takes time. Students and families may be unsure how to ask for or even accept help. Be mindful and know when to take a step back. When they’re ready to adjust, they will. #ELLChat
#ellchat#edit2000mane a3) each student who is an immigrant or a refugee just wants to fit in and learn. Giving a student a buddy or friend while they are transitioning is beneficial
#ELLCHAT please mark your answers with the guestion number. Q3) needs a response in the form of A3. It helps everyone know what question you are answering.
A3) Schools need to provide services especially for immigrants & refugees. Support students & their parents in understanding U.S. expectations in school. #ELLChat
Build community, invite families into the school and include newcomer support orgzns. Encourage students to get involved in the school. I try to have an EAL Family night in the Fall to help introduce the school, community services/contacts and explain reporting #ellchat
A2) It's not that they don't know the law but that there are ways to make it difficult to register. I'm posting articles and you'll find this information in them. #ELLChat
Their parents don’t know how to navigate our system, we don’t speak them languages (often), they live in fear of they are undocumented, and they don’t understand American, teacher-parent relationships and expectations. #ellchat
Tonight’s dilemma: Start writing the last 10 of my 28 English Language Learner Plans or watch The Broncos. I think I will multitask. Love my job teaching ESL, but the amount of paperwork is insane!!!#ELLChat
A3 Another way to work with community is to forget traditional barriers. Yes. Teachers DO visit places of worship to get to know new families and their support systems. And partner with librarians, and drive families to social services offices. I’ve seen it many times #ELLCHAT
Every session I hold-I always share the law and all types of scenarios. Many teachers reach out and mention they had no idea...It’s an eye opener. #ELLChat
A3 (part 2): My family and I recently moved to a new community in a neighboring state, and as native English speakers with similar cultural backgrounds, it was really confusing at times. How much more so for a refugee family? #ELLChat
A3 Another way to work with community is to forget traditional barriers. Yes. Teachers DO visit places of worship to get to know new families and their support systems. And partner with librarians, and drive families to social services offices. I’ve seen it many times #ELLCHAT
A3 Another way to work with community is to forget traditional barriers. Yes. Teachers DO visit places of worship to get to know new families and their support systems. And partner with librarians, and drive families to social services offices. I’ve seen it many times #ELLCHAT
Good point! Some ELs and their families may be really knowledgeable about the system, but may or may not choose to participate in advocacy related actions for various reasons #ELLCHAT
A3 A lot of those instructions about understanding what to do and where to go in a new place are here: Raising Young Children in a New Country (in several languages) https://t.co/CVFUhfkRkf#ELLCHAT
Yes and we also need to provide space for students and families to acclimatize to a new culture of schooling. Hold high expectations for student success but be understanding in approach. #ellchat
A2. School needs to be a safe haven and Ts just as vested in the safety (and academics) of these children as their families are. We have Ss who fear for their own safety, but trust teachers to protect them. Ts of ELLs have additional responsibilities than other Ts. #ELLChat
So true. There are definite cultural aspects that influence how families interact with the school. We need to be careful not to assume that a lack of interaction implies a lack of understanding. #ELLChat
A4 I think the biggest thing we can do to support them is to not immediately force them to start speaking English. It is a gradual process and their previous language is a part of their identity. #ellchat#edit2000mane
A4) Teachers can listen and be mindful of their stories, yet continue to hold them to a high standards. Sharing with them the freedom education can bring is priceless #ellchat
We also need to respect a) silent period b) fatigue/need for student breaks and c) noise levels/amount of partner work (this is part of the culture of schooling, too) #ellchat
A4) Teach ELs language AND content, maintain high expectations, teach skills for independent learning, be kind, create a safe space - the best advocacy work a teacher can do for Ss is nurture their growth and maximize their potential!! #ELLChat
A4) This is an important point. Our Ss have lost so much: their friends, their school, relatives such as grandparents. We don't want them to lose their language. #ELLCHAT
A4 I think the biggest thing we can do to support them is to not immediately force them to start speaking English. It is a gradual process and their previous language is a part of their identity. #ellchat#edit2000mane
A3 I heard Dr. Coleen Vesely speak on Community Based Participatory Research - about immigrant families living in shared apartment where the whole family stays in one bedroom of an apartment. https://t.co/0KU9TaqxBU Even in US, immigrants face things we can’t imagine. #ELLCHAT
I believe ALL teachers-not just ESL teachers should have an awareness of their ESL and Refugee Ss have lived through. Our Ss attend PE & Music and other courses. All Ts need PD on the law, compassion, sheltered instruction, and equity in the classroom of ELLs Els #ELLCHAT
A4) Be kind. Patience. Be aware that everything is a new experience. Don't assume that what is traditional for a regular ed. student is known to immigrant/refugee Ss. Provide them with a safe place and a genuine smile. #ELLChat
A4, Pt 1: Support comes on many levels. I was reminded last year of need to ensure Ts know students' immigration status is not of concern in school setting #ELLChat
A4, Pt 1: Support comes on many levels. I was reminded last year of need to ensure Ts know students' immigration status is not of concern in school setting #ELLChat
A4 I guess each of us has to find that balance where we show genuine understanding of a child’s immigrant background and experience, yet we treat them as a person first and foremost - not as “that refugee kid”. STRENGTH-BASED!! ;) #ELLCHAT
A3. Our district provides programs for parent education and support. Our union provides programs for parents about immigrant rights. We also do our best to empower parents in their children’s education by engaging them in literacy together in any language. #ELLChat
Q5) How does your school support immigrants & refugees living with trauma? Are there guidance staff members who are experienced in working with this? #ELLChat
#ellchat A4: Ts can rally their school and community resources, be positive, responsive, empathetic, and patient with the process of academic progress and acculturation.#ellchat
A4: Of course, from an ELL teaching standpoint, advocating for language objectives integrated with content objectives in all classrooms, not just the ELL one. It's everyone's responsibility to help these students succeed. #ELLChat
I agree! Although if they want to share their experiences (via journal writing?), I support that. No judgment. For some children, it’s crucial to give them the opportunity to share their story. #ELLChat
A5) Unfortunately, there are no resources like this for students in my community. Not official anyway. We just make due and become unofficial counselors ourselves. #ellchat
May I pose a question? Let’s swap focus: What can you learn and how do you grow by being a teacher of immigrants and refugees? If we are advocates, we also need to be open to listening and learning. #ELLChat
A5) my mom is kindergarten teacher at a school with a high amount of ELL's and immigrants. They have a counselor on site and a special trauma counselor that can be called in if needed. #ellchat#edit2000mane
A5- I think we have a ways to go in this area- we have some resources (are they ever enough?), but ALL teachers need PD on trauma informed, culturally responsive practices #ELLChat
A5) I worked in a small district and I found that I had to advocate for my students with school admins and guidance counselors. They needed PD as much as the teachers who were actually working with Ss. #ELLChat
A5- I think we have a ways to go in this area- we have some resources (are they ever enough?), but ALL teachers need PD on trauma informed, culturally responsive practices #ELLChat
A5) It all starts at the admin. level. Some admins. will make it possible to provide teachers with PD related to trauma. Other admins. will not fully understand the complexities immigrants/refugees bring to the school setting. #ELLChat
My doctoral research focuses on trauma in our schools. I found nothing set in place. In fact, most teachers are unaware of the Ss traumatic lived experiences. And when Ss share experiences, Ts feel i adequately prepared to respond. How can we teach what we don’t know? #ELLChat
We HAVE to educate ourselves and help educate others. We also have to advocate for more trauma resources in our schools. Refugees are not the only students who need them #ELLChat
Yes! This can be really problematic when we expect teachers to address trauma in Ss without training - it leads to what I have heard been called ‘secondary trauma’, we have to know what we can handle ourselves as teachers #ELLCHAT
A5- I think we have a ways to go in this area- we have some resources (are they ever enough?), but ALL teachers need PD on trauma informed, culturally responsive practices #ELLChat
A5: Trauma is an increasing area of focus in my school district, but we are in beginning stages. State has provided some training focused on refugees & trauma @NewcomerESL#ELLChat
A6- we need a lot of growth in the area of getting parents involved, trauma informed practices, culturally responsive teaching,and really just your brain works (trauma, lang acquisition) I hope there would be major practice shakeups afterwords! #ELLChat
A6) Coworkers need to understand that in many occasions we are the only advocates our Ss have. If they expect our Ss to be succesful in their content classes, they also need to chip in all related to the Ss. #ELLChat
A4 Don’t forget this book: Advocating for English Learners by @DStaehrFenne rhttps://www.amazon.com/Advocating-English-Learners-Guide-Educators/dp/1452257698/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538445149&sr=8-1&keywords=staehr+fenner #ELLCHAT
Yes! We focus on the positive: the language acquisition, the academic progress and the friendships formed! Once our Ts focus on that growth mindset for ALL Ss, they never look back. We now have classroom Ts requesting the ELL class. What a school culture change! #ELLChat
A6) being an advocate for refugee and immigrant families is a team effort that requires cooperation from everyone. This means support from the peers, advocacy from the teacher, and responsibility from admin #ellchat#edit2000mane
Teachers need to take initiative to educate themselves, but I also think that teachers' college needs to incorporate courses about working with students who have experienced trauma or interrupted education. #ellchat
Exactly. In our region we have many Ss who experience border violence and the trauma that comes with it. Horrible experiences that no child should ever have to face. It’s heartbreaking. #ELLChat
A6) I am not sure what exactly need to know to help, but I do think it starts with understanding what their journeys are and what we can do to support them. #ellchat
People who have experienced trauma or significant stress in their life struggle with / don't know how to advocate for themselves (especially if they're from different cultures). We as teachers need to act as an objective voice for our community members. #ellchat
This is true - here in Thailand, confrontation is avoided and is seen as being extremely rude. If there is ever a problem with a student / family member, we will rarely hear about it. #ellchat
A2) #ellchat#edit2000mane one reason I believe refugees and immigrant students need our advocacy is because they may have had to leave their whole support system in another country and have nobody looking out for them here.
