Community Member Highlight - Laura Cerezo Varga, Mother of the Junior Mayor of Gaithersburg

November 22, 2019

In September MCAEL attended the Gaithersburg Principals Appreciation Breakfast. While attending I was impressed with the principals, the Gaithersburg City staff and with Diego Flores-Cerezo, the Junior Mayor of Gaithersburg. 


I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with his father who looked on in pride as his son delivered welcoming remarks. I wanted to learn more about Diego's family and they agreed to share some of their story in the context of ESOL with MCAEL. Here is Laura Cerezo Vargas, Diego's mom sharing her story with us:


"I am from Mexico from the state of Puebla. Since arriving in the United States, I have lived in Gaithersburg for more than 12 years. In my country I studied a little bit of English, but I never practiced it. When I arrived here, I found myself in need and understood that I had to learn to be able to communicate anywhere. 


I have taken ESOL classes in different schools, Gaithersburg High School, Montgomery Village Middle School, Gaithersburg Middle School and lastly an adult ESOL course at Montgomery College. I took English classes to validate the studies that I have in my country. In Mexico I studied nursing. I then took English classes to be able to communicate and help my children with their education, and now I continue taking classes to improve my work. I work as a Teacher Assistant in a Private Preschool. I have two children, one of four and Diego, who is 10 years old next month. Diego has found it a bit difficult to learn Spanish and the little one is excited to learn Spanish. I feel proud of where I am from, one of the ways I keep my culture alive is by celebrating Mexican holidays, for example a traditional celebration for us is the Day of the Dead honoring the memory of our ancestors. 


It has given us great pride and joy that our son has been serving as the Junior Mayor of the beautiful city of Gaithersburg. And it is a great experience as a family to share this with the Mayor and the members of the City Council of Gaithersburg. To other immigrant families I would say it’s important to talk about the experience we have had as parents, we are very supportive of our children. We believe that the fundamental thing is to keep the family together. 


During the time that I have lived in this country I have learned that it is essential to learn English. As immigrants, we are afraid of talking fearing that people will laugh at the way we talk. However, we must be willing to practice and not give up on learning another language".


Interview by Monica Casañas.

Cerezo Family In September MCAEL attended the Gaithersburg Principals Appreciation Breakfast. While attending I was impressed with the principals, the Gaithersburg City staff and with Diego Flores-Cerezo , the Junior Mayor of Gaithersburg. I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with his father who looked on in pride as his son delivered welcoming remarks. I wanted to learn more about Diego's family and they agreed to share some of their story in the context of ESOL with MCAEL. Here is Laura Cerezo Vargas, Diego's mom sharing her story with us:

I am from Mexico from the state of Puebla. Since arriving in the United States, I have lived in Gaithersburg for more than 12 years. In my country I studied a little bit of English, but I never practiced it. When I arrived here, I found myself in need and understood that I had to learn to be able to communicate anywhere. 

I have taken ESOL classes in different schools, Gaithersburg High School, Montgomery Village Middle School, Gaithersburg Middle School and lastly an adult ESOL course at Montgomery College. I took English classes to validate the studies that I have in my country. In Mexico I studied nursing. I then took English classes to be able to communicate and help my children with their education, and now I continue taking classes to improve my work. I work as a Teacher Assistant in a Private Preschool. I have two children, one of four and Diego, who is 10 years old next month. Diego has found it a bit difficult to learn Spanish and the little one is excited to learn Spanish. I feel proud of where I am from, one of the ways I keep my culture alive is by celebrating Mexican holidays, for example a traditional celebration for us is the Day of the Dead honoring the memory of our ancestors. 

It has given us great pride and joy that our son has been serving as the Junior Mayor of the beautiful city of Gaithersburg. And it is a great experience as a family to share this with the Mayor and the members of the City Council of Gaithersburg. To other immigrant families I would say it’s important to talk about the experience we have had as parents, we are very supportive of our children. We believe that the fundamental thing is to keep the family together. 

During the time that I have lived in this country I have learned that it is essential to learn English. As immigrants, we are afraid of talking fearing that people will laugh at the way we talk. However, we must be willing to practice and not give up on learning another language.

Interview by Monica Casañas

Image of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's New Executive Director.

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.” ๏ปฟ "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.