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Topeka Public Schools honors longtime English learner director Anita Curry as program expands
Summary
The Topeka Public Schools board recognized Anita Curry’s retirement and highlighted growth in the district’s English learner (EL) services, including staffing counts, a dual‑language expansion and a federal/state grant used for teacher endorsements.
Anita Curry, director of ELL programs, was honored by the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education during its meeting as she prepares to retire after service dated on a plaque from 02/2009 to 2025.
The recognition highlighted the district’s EL program growth and the staff who support students learning English. Superintendent-level remarks introduced the presentation and asked staff to join Curry for a video and remarks.
The program now supports students whose first language is not English and provides language assessment, interpretation and family engagement events, staff said. Curry described the work as “one of the greatest jobs on Earth” and said she enjoys watching students’ development and cultural exchange.
Board discussion and staff remarks provided concrete program counts: the EL department includes 28 paraprofessionals and 21 teachers, and the district serves 1,732 students identified as English learners. Curry said many students enter the program as newcomers and remain until they pass the required assessment; some students are monitored for two years after meeting benchmarks.
Curry and administrators described program expansion since she began in 2009. The district started a dual‑language program with one pre‑K and one kindergarten class and has added strands through grade 12 and at least one dual‑language school. Staff reported districtwide newcomer programs at the middle and high‑school levels. Curry said a grant written with the University of Kansas and Kansas State University was one of 10 awarded nationally and has supported teacher endorsements; about 30 teachers have obtained ESL endorsements through that work.
The board presented Curry with a plaque recognizing “exemplary years of service and commitment to the students, staff, and parents in Topeka Public Schools from 02/2009 to 2025,” and administrators and staff offered a commemorative album. Curry thanked colleagues and described the EL department as an intentional, dedicated group.
Board member questions included staffing and caseload. In response to a question from board member Doctor Bohnbreich, Curry reported the 1,732 EL student figure and noted that some students are in monitor status after meeting proficiency and are excluded from active services while supervised for two years. The presentation also named the Welcome Center and Quinton Heights as program locations used for family engagement and newcomer services.
The board’s recognition concluded with photos and plans for a retirement event; no policy changes or formal board actions were taken during the recognition segment.
