Springfield City Wire

“When I moved to Holyoke 

“When I moved to Holyoke, I’d never lived outside my home island of Puerto Rico. My ESL teacher, Ms. K., really helped me be less afraid. She taught me not to be scared of the world or of showing my culture. I used to talk to nobody because I have a little bit of an accent, and some people would look at me weird when I started speaking. But she told me if anybody didn’t like it, that was their problem, not mine.

“Ms. K constantly said to keep going and to not be afraid and one day I’d get where I want to be. I think that was one of the biggest impacts a teacher has had on me. Right now, I’m actually transitioning from a neurobiology major to elementary education. I want to be an ESL teacher.” - Khyarah Gaston-Feliciano ’23, BA in Education Studies

Make a difference in the lives of English Language Learners (ELLs). Our MSEd/EdS in English as a Second Language online program will prepare you to teach this growing population of students.

Original source can be found here