Instructor Spotlight: Elena Robles| International Rescue Committee (IRC) Beginner ESOL with Childcare

November 4, 2020

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what has inspired you to be a teacher?

I had a lot of experience in college having facilitated trainings through the Multicultural Education Department and my first year out of college I worked in advocacy helping to train constituents in effective lobbying. The classroom environment has felt like a very natural part of my professional experience and it’s a setting I really enjoy working in because of the power of dialogue and being in a setting where knowledge is so readily and willingly transferred. My first year working with the IRC was as a job-trainer conducting job readiness trainings, interview trainings, hospitality training and serving as a co-teacher for the women’s English program! I love serving our clients and working with a team of interns and supervisors who share that same passion is what keeps me inspired!

What are the biggest challenges you face as an ESOL teacher?

Our classes are only three weeks and we have women who have a variety of different literacy and educational backgrounds. The biggest challenge often feels like having the curriculum be as accessible as possible to all the women. I want to meet all the programmatic goals that we set together (teachers and students) and I also want to make sure that the material is digestible and meets the needs of each student. We have student clients who maybe it’s there first time getting to enter the classroom and others who may have once been the teachers in their home country. I’ve been very lucky to work with a team of interns and my supervisor who are all ready and willing to help to adjust the curriculum, to look up resources through our MCAEL/IRC network, or spend additional time with the students one on one.

What has teaching remotely during a global pandemic taught you?

The internet is a beautiful platform for connection and trust building. We had a very short period of time to turn our normal in-person classroom into a virtual platform. Thankfully, with some assistance and careful planning we were successful in training and testing for digital literacy and then continuing the classrooms online. Zoom has been most effective and I’m thankful that the IRC gets to continue to accompany our women during this time period. Our classroom space meant there was dialogue around what the women were facing, and in many ways we were able to again connect them with resources through this very hard time as they shared with us different home situations and how the pandemic was impacting them.

What advice would you give to a new ESOL teacher or volunteer?

Have fun! Be organized and plan ahead! If it is possible to have interns or assistants, get them! I love the classroom setting and I experience so much joy with our students! I love getting to see our interns also participate and learn from the experience!! Planning and organization definitely also helps with any jitters or stress! Have fun!

What have been your favorite pastimes during COVID-19?

I love taking my dog for a long hike outside. It’s nice to breathe and just be present with the weather after spending hours of each day cooped up on a computer!

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I love the folks I serve and the people I work with. Every day, I get to be supported by the most passionate, brilliant and talented coworkers. Even with the challenges of serving refugees during a pandemic and under a politically difficult environment, I still feel a deep sense of fulfillment and joy that I get to have the privilege of serving our clients. I am so lucky!

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MCAEL Welcomes Gerard J. P. Etienne as New Executive Director

By MCAEL • April 16, 2025

MCAEL is delighted to announce the appointment of Gerard J. P. Etienne as its new Executive Director. Gerard brings a depth of experience overseeing and growing large programs, most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). He will assume his new position at MCAEL on May 5, 2025. Gerard began his career as a mechanical engineer and then a management consultant for both small and large companies, focusing on intrapreneurship and innovation. He discovered his passion for mission-driven work through years of volunteering – leading him to a position as Director of the Vocational Services Program (VSP) at Interfaith Works, where he worked directly with immigrant job seekers, including non-English speakers, to help them overcome cultural and employment barriers. “Gerard brings a deep personal connection to MCAEL’s mission and a strong commitment to serving vulnerable and marginalized communities in Montgomery County,” said Sean Klein, MCAEL Board Chair. “His record of equity-centered leadership, along with his experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex programs, make him the ideal choice to lead MCAEL into its next chapter.” "I am thrilled and honored to serve as MCAEL'S next Executive Director,” Gerard stated. “As a long-time Montgomery County resident and someone with lived experience as an English learner, MCAEL'S mission is deeply personal to me. It's a privilege to give back to my community and to help expand opportunities for adult learners across our county." Gerard’s family moved to the United States when he was a teenager, and he entered the American school system speaking no English. A Montgomery County resident for almost 40 years, Gerard and his wife raised two sons here. He and his wife are both avid fans of Arsenal Football Club (they never miss a game). They live in Silver Spring with their dog, Doug.

MCAEL Partner Spotlight: ISWA

By Kayla Savoy • March 24, 2025

Two years ago, MCAEL and the Islamic Society of Washington Area (ISWA) came together with a shared mission: to make English classes more accessible to the local Muslim community. ISWA, a vibrant religious organization, serves a diverse group of individuals from around the world. During our visit in November, we experienced firsthand how ISWA’s mosque transforms during the day into a dynamic learning space. The moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed into the community breakfast—tables filled with fresh fruit, pastries, and lively conversations. Learners chatted eagerly, children laughed as they played, and there was a sense of excitement as classes began. What makes these classes truly unique is that they are structured to uphold religious practices, offering a space where women can learn in privacy and comfort. Each classroom is tailored to different English proficiency levels, ensuring that every student gets the encouragement they need. One of the most engaging aspects of the program is the rewards system for Level 2 beginner learners. At the end of class, learners can choose a prize, but there’s a catch! They must correctly pronounce the item’s name in English. The bigger the prize, the longer the sentence – from long children dresses to beautiful hijabs, bedazzled shoes or knitted blankets. With so many beautiful and fun prizes available, the classroom buzzes with excitement and chatter as learners share their sentences and new words they’ve discovered. Outside the classroom, the learning continues. Before heading to prayer, a wide table in the center of the space holds free groceries once a week for learners to take home with them. Bananas, fresh vegetables, pastries, and more. But before taking an item – again – they must first name it in English. This simple yet powerful exercise turns everyday essentials into an opportunity for learners to help each other, practice new words, and build confidence in their language skills. It’s been nearly two years since MCAEL and ISWA first collaborated to launch a Community Learning Group (MCAEL’s “starter” classes, established in areas with few English learning opportunities). Recognizing a growing need in their community, ISWA went on to apply for a Start-Up Grant, securing financial and professional development support to expand their program. Last year, they took another step forward by applying for and receiving an increased award through the Access Small Grant. MCAEL is thrilled to continue this incredible partnership with ISWA, working together to support learners and strengthen our community. To learn more about ISWA and our Grant Partners, click here .

Picture of WUMCO Help's location in Poolseville, MD.

MCAEL Partner Spotlight: WUMCO Help, Inc

By Kayla Savoy • November 1, 2024

On Friday, October 25th, the MCAEL staff had the privilege of visiting WUMCO Help's facility in Poolesville, MD. What began as a quick journey to distribute our Adult English Language Program Directories turned into an insightful tour of WUMCO’s expansive ESOL classroom, designed for local residents, and their food pantry, where they provide shelf-stable goods and fresh produce to the community. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, community members, and local Boy Scout troops, WUMCO is committed to addressing food, language, health, and financial insecurities in Poolesville and the surrounding areas. We are proud to partner with WUMCO Help , which began with MCAEL as a Start-Up Grant recipient in 2023 and then grew to become an Access Small Grant recipient the following year. To learn more about WUMCO and the good work of all of our current Grant Partners, click here.