At Wakeland High School, ESL teacher Ms. Pana is doing more than teaching vocabulary and grammar. Through unwavering support and a deep understanding of her students’ diverse backgrounds, she helps newcomers navigate both English and the challenges of adapting to a new culture.
Pana has been teaching at Wakeland since 2018 and has monitored the growth of over 70 ESL students. She credits her skills to her background abroad. “I had the privilege to teach English in Italy to children, college students, and professionals,” Pana said. “I enjoyed teaching English so much that I decided to pursue a career in ESL.”
Her diverse background as a first generation Filipino American strongly influenced her language and culture. She can use this background to attempt to understand the challenges that ESL students may face and help them feel confident in themselves. This personal experience helps her define her approach to teaching. “I’ve learned to effectively differentiate instruction for students depending on their English proficiency level,” she said. “I teach them how to advocate for themselves.”
Some students feel uncomfortable in an English speaking environment when they don’t speak it themselves. Pana helps them overcome this challenge and empower them to advocate for themselves with resources and tools to assist them. “I try to make sure they know they are welcomed and that accommodations are not an inconvenience,” she said. “It’s meant to help them be successful.”
Throughout the year, Pana’s main goal is to make her students feel accepted and confident in themselves. Her continuous support helps students develop the necessary skills to embrace independence and strive in life. “I hope they feel accomplished in whatever task they have at hand,” Pana said. “I hope they feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to do whatever it takes to be successful.”
Pana’s impact reaches far beyond grammar lessons. Through empathy and encouragement, she provides students with the tools to believe in themselves and their abilities. In a new country, a new school, and a new language, she helps them find confidence to thrive.
