MCPS ESOL Director highlights student resilience and storytelling program successes

The Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) School Board meeting on January 28, 2025, highlighted significant achievements within the district, particularly focusing on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. The meeting featured a discussion led by the director of federal programs, who expressed pride in the resilience and accomplishments of the students served by the program.

A key highlight was the "Voices from the Heart" initiative, where high school students in the ESOL program engage in narrative writing. This program allows students to choose prompts from the National Writing Project and develop their personal stories over time. The director emphasized the importance of this initiative in building community through storytelling, noting the impressive participation from both students and families during the fall sharing event.

The director also underscored the critical role of language learning in education, distinguishing it from language acquisition. They stressed the responsibility of teachers to support students in expressing themselves and processing language across various domains. The meeting concluded with an invitation for students to share their stories at future gatherings, reinforcing the value of storytelling in education.

Overall, the discussions at the meeting celebrated the growth and achievements of the ESOL program, showcasing the positive impact it has on students' lives and the community.