Bilingual/ESL/World Languages
About Us: Bilingual and ESL Department
Welcome to the Dover Public Schools Bilingual and ESL Department. Led by Anja Norman, Supervisor of Bilingual, ESL, & World Languages, and Angelica Rodriguez, Director of Bilingual, ESL & World Languages, our department is dedicated to supporting multilingual learners (MLs) as they develop proficiency in English while fostering bilingualism and biliteracy.
Our Mission Our mission is to provide targeted instruction and support to help MLs achieve English proficiency, enabling their academic and social success. We aim to promote bilingualism and biliteracy, encouraging students to maintain and enhance their native language skills alongside learning English. Our goal is to ensure that MLs meet the same challenging state academic standards as their English-speaking peers, equipped with effective instructional strategies and resources.
Our Goals
- Foster cultural awareness and appreciation, encouraging students to value their own cultural backgrounds and those of others.
- Provide ongoing professional development for teachers and staff to enhance their ability to support MLs effectively.
- Engage families and communities in the educational process, providing them with resources and support to contribute to their children’s academic success.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations concerning the education of MLs and advocate for their needs and rights.
Recent Successes and Projects
- Our department has successfully increased the number of students earning the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating their proficiency in two or more languages.
- We have established a Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee to enhance engagement and collaboration among parents, students, and educators, strengthening our support network for bilingual learners.
Partnerships and Opportunities
- In collaboration with Centenary University, we have developed a program that enables district teachers to earn their ESL certification, thereby improving the quality of education and support provided to our Multilingual learners.
Our department is committed to enhancing the educational journey of every multilingual student, ensuring they have the skills and support needed to thrive in a global society.