Instructor Spotlight: Jill Smudski |Rockville Seniors, Inc

April 12, 2021

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

I became a teacher somewhat accidentally, when I was given a teaching fellowship in my graduate program in computer science. I really liked it, and went on to have several computer science teaching jobs. Later, when my kids had all moved out, I came back to teaching when I volunteered with the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. I discovered that I love ESOL and love working with adults.

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

The biggest challenge is to recognize when my teaching style is a mismatch with a student’s learning style. Especially when the student is communicating with a reduced English vocabulary, it can be difficult to find successful teaching techniques. It’s also challenging to work with a group of students who have different levels of English proficiency.

What has teaching remotely during a global pandemic taught you?

I have discovered that my students are much more resourceful and motivated than I had ever thought! They have been eager to learn how to manage the technology, and I think that has given them a confidence boost that carries over to their English learning.

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

I think the most important skill a teacher can have is the ability to really listen to the student. It sometimes takes critical listening to understand what the student is really asking, or really misunderstanding. I also think it’s valuable to admit when you don’t know the answer to a question. To show you are also willing to learn something will help build a stronger connection with the students.

What have been your favorite pastimes during COVID-19?

I’ve always done handwork; sewing, knitting, crocheting. I’ve been able to work on more projects; it’s been a way to enjoy the time that I’ve had to spend staying at home.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Of course, it’s always rewarding to know that I’ve helped someone learn and grow in their English mastery. But more than that, I really enjoy building a relationship with my students. Having that connection brings depth to our communication, and it’s also just fun to learn about what my students have done in their lives.

What is something you learned about your students during this remote teaching period?

In a way, teaching online has helped to strengthen my connections with my students. On Zoom, I see them sitting in their homes, see what is in their environment, as they can see what is in mine. This gives us both a more immediate sense of what our lives are like outside of the “classroom,” and also gives us more to talk about! I’ve been blessed to have a great group of students to work with during this time.

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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.

Leadership Change at MCAEL

By Kathy Stevens • August 29, 2024

Dear MCAEL Community: I am writing to share with you that I will be leaving MCAEL as of early October. I have accepted a position as President and CEO at the Healthcare Initiative Foundation. After 12 years of stewarding and growing the coalition, our team, and the organization’s role in the county, it is time for me to pass the torch to new leadership and pursue some new challenges of my own. MCAEL is a strong organization that has proven the value of having one entity coordinate the work of the coalition to build a diverse network of adult English language learning opportunities. With the partnership of Montgomery County government, dedicated coalition organizations, and incredible supporters and volunteers, MCAEL continues to provide much needed and much desired English classes. With an incredible staff, the organization is well positioned to continue to meet the needs of our community. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served as MCAEL’s Executive Director. It has been rewarding to work alongside such a remarkably talented team, engaged Board members, dedicated program staff and instructors, and committed funders and supporters. While I'll miss MCAEL, the people I've worked with, and most especially the thousands of adult learners we have been able to support, I am excited to see MCAEL continue its growth and leadership in the county. The Board of Directors is meeting to identify the search process and timeline for a successor leader of MCAEL and that information will be shared as soon as practical. I will be working with the staff, board, and coalition to ensure a thoughtful and smooth transition. Thanks to you and the many other people who support MCAEL’s work, I am confident that the organization will continue to be strong and impactful. With gratitude, Kathy Stevens

Uber Impact

By Kathy Stevens • July 30, 2024

I’ve had to use Uber more in the last month than the entire last year while my car was out of commission. As you may know, the app offers you the option to indicate your comfort level with conversation. While I was trying to lean into just relaxing on the car rides and not talking much, I couldn’t help myself and quickly started conversations with my drivers. Many of my drivers were non-native English speakers, and they shared their experiences adjusting to a new country while not being comfortable with the language. Their stories echoed an all-too-common experience among immigrants in our community, who often work at jobs below their training levels. We discussed how to find English classes, should they be interested, and I was even able to connect one of my drivers to a workforce development opportunity. Sure, it would have been more convenient to have my car in working order so I could drive myself to work. But I never would have made these rewarding connections.