This ESL teacher makes sure students learn the language and feel the love.

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Missy Testerman has been teaching at Rogersville City School for 32 years. But over the past few years, she has been teaching more children who were not born in the rural Appalachian community where the school is located.

Some of the children are from Mexico and Honduras. Others are from India, China and various Arabic-speaking nations. She heard stories about immigrant families who braved dangerous routes to reach the United States.

“We are very rural. We see cows every day,” said Testerman, 54, who also runs the ESL program at the school. “But what we've seen here is that (Spanish-speaking immigrants) are no longer settling near the (southern) border… they're coming to towns like ours.”

To help these families acclimate, Testerman obtained her license to teach English learners two years ago. What she has learned is that the job requires more than helping children and families learn English and find their way. It also means helping newcomer students integrate socially.

Sometimes, he said, the political climate can make that discouraging.

“I try to make sure that my kids and their families are assimilated here, that they participate in sports and all that, because if they assimilate, people will accept them more easily,” Testerman said.

He said it is “heartbreaking” to hear people, particularly elected officials, make general hurtful statements about immigrants.

Last year, Testerman's passion for her students and her work as an ESL teacher earned her the title of 2023 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. This year, the Council of State Chief School Officers selected her as one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.

The winner will be announced in April.

“It's an amazing feeling,” he said. “I'm still a little puzzled as to how and why, because there are so many wonderful teachers in my state and community who put their heart and soul into their work. Being named a finalist is incredibly humbling.”

Testerman recently spoke with Chalkbeat Tennessee about how he approaches his work.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

How do you go about teaching English to non-native speakers?

Just start small, using photo cards and expanding your reach, just as you would with a baby, trying to fill their world with language. At first, it means a very basic language to build on.

I do a combination of push-in services, where I come in, plan with the teacher, work with the teacher and help develop English language skills at the same time as delivering academic content, and I also do (55 minutes of) withdrawal for children who need it: new students, students with difficulties.

This year, I really tried to focus on my fourth graders, because they were in kindergarten when the COVID closures started. They were home for most of first grade and have had the most losses.

What is your favorite lesson to teach and why?

I love everything about the reading process. My master's degree is in education, so I love any lesson that has to do with the components of reading, whether it's breaking down themes, character development, contractions, antonyms, and synonyms.

What is happening in your community that affects what happens in your classroom?

Unfortunately, there are (those), and they are mainly politicians, who are on social media spreading these false statements about immigrants, and many times, that causes prejudice to form against some of my students and their families, and that does affect their education.

Luckily, my school here is somewhat isolated. We build this community within our school, but outside of our school, these are the things that my students and their families have to deal with. They want to fit in, but they also want to be proud of their heritage, and we want them to be proud of their heritage.

Furthermore, something that is also very important to me is that they preserve their native language. It is a gift to have two languages ​​and I am constantly working on examples of how you can one day use both languages ​​in a career. I tell the story of my son's girlfriend. (Her family is) Honduran. She was born and raised in Houston but speaks both languages. They are in supply chain management and real estate. He has an incredible talent because he can talk to people in two different languages. I urge (students) to speak their native language at home, so they don't lose it. I can teach you English, but not Arabic or Spanish.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I think I was always destined to be a teacher. I was always the typical kid who lined up the dolls, taught the dolls, and forced my little sister to play at school. I had so many amazing teachers growing up and I wanted to be like them, emulate them. I wanted to dress like them. I remember when I was in first grade and I was so proud when my mom bought me a cardigan to wear with my Easter dress because my teacher wore a cardigan every day. She was so proud of that sweater.

What is the best advice you have received?

I worked with the best mentor. She is no longer with us, but she was always that voice that asks what is best for the children and how something will affect the students. That's the best advice I've ever been given: keep the kids at the center and ask what's best for the students.

How do you take care of yourself when you're not at work?

This may sound strange, but my husband and I get up around 5:30 every morning and run before school. That's my stress reliever; It helps me manage the stress of work.

chalk beat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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