Instructor Spotlight: Jim Hand |Covenant Life Church

September 8, 2020

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

I am a retired middle school teacher, and my wife also has had teaching experience. What inspired us to become ESOL teachers is that we both love helping people, especially people who are facing challenges, so the prospect of teaching ESOL was very attractive to us. My wife and I are also learning Spanish, daily using Duolingo. This has helped us understand the challenges our students face in trying to learn English.

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

Having primarily been a middle school math teacher, one of the challenges I face is how to teach English effectively, and to adults. In the beginning, I felt like a first-year teacher, trying different ways of teaching English, and also trying to make if fun and interesting. Now, after 4 years of experience, I feel like I am getting better at creating lessons that will help the students learn English better. An ongoing challenge I face is trying to create a class where students feel free to participate and are not afraid to make mistakes.

What has teaching remotely during a global pandemic taught you?

A few months ago, I hadn’t even heard of Zoom. Now I have a pretty good handle on how to use it in order to teach remotely. Although not the same as in person instruction, I feel that our students have been able to learn a lot during the time that we have had with them while using Zoom. I have learned that there are a lot of tutorials regarding Zoom, and I am constantly trying to learn more about teaching remotely.

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

The advice I would give is to just jump right in and get involved. The technology can be challenging, but there are plenty of ways you can get help or ideas. (MCAEL ; youTube videos; etc.) Also, know that anything that you teach your students is a “plus”, and is going to help them learn English better. And perhaps most importantly, know that your relationship with them is priceless.

What has been your favorite pastimes during COVID-19?

Although I have enjoyed the “slower and more peaceful pace” that COVID-19 has caused on my life, I have missed relating in person to my children and grandchildren, my neighbors, and my friends from church. However, frequent zoom meetings have helped me to stay connected with these people. I really enjoyed our vacation time in August, kayaking with my wife, and spending “in person time” with my children and grandchildren as some of the restrictions have eased.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I think that the most rewarding part about my work is the knowledge that what I (we) do is impacting a person’s life. I really value the relationships that we have made during our teaching of ESOL. I feel like we are entering the lives of our students, and that they know we really care about them as people, not just as students.

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

One thing I have learned while teaching during this period is that my students have faced, and are currently facing, some real challenges. Things such as the health of relatives, finding work, and caring for young children, to name just a few. Our team has tried to be supportive through the building of relationships, through prayer, and certainly by trying to effectively teach English.

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

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

What has been your favorite pastimes during COVID-19?

< Older Post

Newer Post >

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.