English Learner Education Mission Statement

The Abington Public Schools values linguistic and cultural diversity and welcomes students whose native languages are not English. Our English Learner Education (ELE) program uses the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) approach to provide direct and appropriate English language support to English Learners at each grade level and each English proficiency level. The program aims to simultaneously advance students’ linguistic and academic development. Our English Learners are taught by culturally responsive ELE and content teachers who build on students’ academic, linguistic, and cultural assets in order to ensure that students have the supports they need to access rigorous learning opportunities and thrive as students.  

ELE Program Overview:

The English Learner population in the Abington Public Schools is rapidly growing. Currently, Abington services around 275 English Learners in grades Pre-K through 12 and over 75 Former English Learners. Around 72% of our ELs speak Portuguese as their native language, and 28% of our ELs speak 15 other languages, such as Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Vietnamese. The ELE Department consists of highly qualified and culturally responsive educators (see list of teachers below). In Abington, all educators and administrators share responsibility in ensuring that ELs have equitable access to educational and extracurricular opportunities. The district uses the Sheltered English Immersion Approach to teach content and language to ELs. 

The ELE Department uses the National Geographic series, Reach, Inside, and Edge as the main curriculum resources for ELE classes, and the ELE Department is currently working on writing curriculum that is aligned with the 2020 WIDA standards, aligned with grade-level standards, and vertically aligned. 

ELE District Staff:
James Robbins, Director of Student Services - jamesrobbins@abingtonps.org

Elizabeth Despres, Director of English Learner Education Services -
elizabethdespres@abingtonps.org

Elementary ELE Department:
Sujata Verma, Kindergarten ELE Teacher - sujataverma@abingtonps.org

Keila Alves, 1st Grade ELE Teacher - keilaalves@abingtonps.org

Joanna George, 2nd Grade ELE Teacher - joannageorge@abingtonps.org

Melissa Moore, 3rd and 4th Grade ELE Teacher - melissamoore@abingtonps.org

Rebecca Orleans, 3rd and 4th Grade ELE Teacher - rebeccaorleans@abingtonps.org

Laura Nuttall, ELE Tutor at Woodsdale Elementary School - lauranuttall@abingtonps.org

Secondary ELE Department:
Viviane Freitas, 5th and 6th Grade ELE Teacher - vivianefreitas@abingtonps.org

Stacy Reed, 7th and 8th Grade ELE Teacher - stacyreed@abingtonps.org

Elizabeth Despres, High School ELE Teacher - elizabethdespres@abingtonps.org

Beth Quin, High School ELE Teacher - bethquinn@abingtonps.org

Allison Robbinson, High School ELE Tutor - allisonrobbinson@abingtonps.org

ENGLISH LEARNER EDUCATION HANDBOOKS - 2024-2025

English Learner Education Handbook 2024 – 2025

Manyèl Edikasyon Anglè 2024 – 2025

Manual de Educação do Aluno de Inglês 2024 - 2025