What Supporting ELLs in K-4 Looks Like with Guest Jen Ferreyra

Click below to hear what supporting ells in k-4 looks like:

How can you successfully support your K-4 ELLs in a very large district? Our special guest is sharing some insight! In this episode, Jen Ferreyra is giving us a glimpse into what her role as an ESL teacher looks like at her school.

Today, Jen and I are talking about how she works with other teachers to provide the best support possible for her students. We are covering the challenges and benefits of teaching ELLs using a co-teaching model in the classroom, how she gets set up for the school year during the summer, and the importance of relationship building with teachers and families.

Jennifer Ferreyra has been an educator for over 20 years. She has taught in multiple bilingual classroom models and has been an ESL teacher for eight years. Jennifer currently teaches ESL at the elementary level in the Framingham School District in Massachusetts. Jennifer has facilitated PD at not only the school, but the district level as well, focusing on how to best support ELs and the power of co-teaching. Jennifer has also presented at the MATSOL conference multiple times to fellow educators who also teach multilingual learners. Jennifer speaks Spanish fluently and is raising her two children to be biliterate with her husband.

Jen shares why she loves the  Equipping ELLs community and membership! Interested in being part of this amazing community PLUS have access to lessons, activities, and tons of resources? Join us! We’d love to have you!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The benefits and challenges of using a co-teaching model 
• Why self-contained ESL can be the best option for some students
• The importance of working as a team with other teachers and admin to support the students 
• 4 ways Jen uses the summer to set up for a successful school year
• Why creating and using a scope and sequence is so helpful in your planning
• How and why it is so important to build relationships with families
• Why Jen loves Equipping ELLs!

Related resources:

• Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit (includes a year long editable scope and sequence)
• Speaking and Listening Cards
• Join the Equipping ELLs Membership
• Check out the ELL Strategy Academy
• Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs

Related episodes and blog posts:

• Episode 25: How to Create a Scope and Sequence for Your ELL Program
• Episode 24: 6 Ways to Prepare for Back to School Now!
• Episode 15: 3 Ways to Connect with the Parents of ELLs

Connect with Beth:

• Join the Facebook group: Inspiring Young Learners Engage! 
• Follow her on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.

More about Equipping ELLs:

We all know that teaching isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be this hard. Equipping ELLs is a podcast for both ESL specialists and homeroom teachers who are looking for effective and engaging ways to support their English Language Learners without adding to their endless to-do list. Tune in each week to hear tips, strategies, and inspirational stories that will empower you to better reach your ELL students, equip them with life-long skills, and strengthen relationships with colleagues and parents.

Your host, Beth Vaucher, is the founder of Inspiring Young Learners. She is an ESL certified homeroom teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching in the US and internationally. Her background of M.Ed in ESL and Curriculum and Instruction combined with her experience has led her to develop a bestselling newcomer curriculum that has sold in over 90 countries around the globe. She brings a different perspective to teaching ELLs from her years teaching and living abroad and working with ELLs from around the world. You will walk away from each episode with the ideas and tools you need to transform your experience as a teacher and cultivate a thriving and welcoming environment for your ELL students.