Meet Rivka Yerushalmi and Maimouna Ima - People of MCAEL

June 23, 2022

It’s MCAEL’s 15 year anniversary, and we’re celebrating with a “People of MCAEL '' series featuring first person insights and photos from some of the wonderful people involved in English language learning in Montgomery County, MD. You’ll find stories here and on  FacebookInstagramLinkedIn , and  Twitter ; please share and use our hashtag #MCAEL15. We know this coalition thrives because of committed people like you; thank you!

Today we’re introducing our fourth profile: Rivka Yerushalmi and Maimouna Ima !


Rivka : I have a full-time job with NIH; I also volunteer and teach ESL. I met Maimouna teaching ESL through the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. Then the pandemic hit, and in-person classes were canceled. There is a saying “Each one, teach one” by Frank Laubach, a founder of the ESL movement, that is a real guide for me. I offered to get together virtually with my students whenever they wanted to practice. Maimouna was the one who showed up, and we kept meeting online throughout the pandemic.

Maimouna : I felt very happy arriving in Montgomery County in 2020 and getting together with my husband, going to school … I met a wonderful, very nice teacher who is Ms. Rivka. But I was also sad missing my family from my native country, Burkina Faso. Then the pandemic hit. It was difficult for me staying at home all the time. The English classes and practice with Ms. Rivka helped me very much, it was nice to have a routine. I fully understand what she teaches me and the ways she explains the lessons. There are English idioms I found funny like: “Got a heart of gold” and “play it by ear.”

Rivka : The time I will never forget was when Maimouna sent me a message that she couldn’t meet that week—she never missed class. When I asked why, it was such a surprise!

Maimouna : The classes were online and Ms. Rivka did not know that I was pregnant. We stayed together 9 months in my journey of pregnancy. And then I sent her an email to let know that I just had a baby, so she was surprised.

Rivka : She only missed a week or two. That is how dedicated a student Maimouna is. She also got her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification and is waiting for the Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) exam. The secret to success in ESL is showing up and engaging in class and doing the homework, and Maimouna exemplifies that. This year she also came to the MCAEL Spelling Bee with me.

Maimouna : My son Amine is 19 months old now, he is walking and running around. My husband and I speak sometimes English and sometimes French to Amine. The baby is curious about the computer and my school books… I have to put the books where he cannot reach them. Rivka bought books herself to send me. She also sends me the Easy English news each month. She is a very nice teacher--she’s got a heart of gold.

Learn more about MCAEL and its mission here: https://mcael.org/ #MCAEL15

As told to Kristin O'Keefe

By Kayla O'Neil July 11, 2025
MCAEL is excited to welcome Alina Ramirez Joyner to the Board of Directors. Alina brings extensive experience as a consultant, advising senior leaders in government, private industry, and nonprofits on corporate social responsibility, community investment, and multicultural engagement strategies in both Mexico and the United States. She serves as Chair of Community and Inclusion in an educational setting, as a financial stewardship advisor, and as a civic community engagement coordinator in Bethesda, MD, where she leads initiatives to foster connection, transparency, and financial sustainability within local communities. Her professional path has included work with domestic and international organizations such as the Embassy of Mexico, the Washington, DC Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, CBS Radio, the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transportation, Mexico’s Electoral Institute, and various civic and local organizations. She's also collaborated with clients like National Geographic and leading healthcare systems including MedStar Health, Inova, and Adventist HealthCare. “As an immigrant myself, I understand both the challenges and the possibilities of navigating new systems—a perspective that fuels my dedication to advancing language access, inclusion, and fairness as essential tools for community growth and individual success,” said Alina, who is originally from Mexico City. “I integrate global strategy, risk management, and sustainable operations to design systemic solutions that empower individuals and strengthen communities, minimizing resource inefficiencies and accelerating social progress. “Joining MCAEL’s Board is an exciting opportunity for me to help harness the transformative power of language to build connections, create a sense of belonging, and open doors for individuals and communities alike. I’m inspired by MCAEL’s mission and look forward to applying my experience in community engagement, fundraising, and cross-sector collaboration to help strengthen and sustain the organization’s impact.” Outside of work, Alina loves exploring art, history, and the outdoors, especially hiking with her family and their dog.
By Gerard Etienne July 8, 2025
Something important struck me during our recent end-of-year convening of program instructors and administrators. It was a day of celebration, sharing, connecting, brainstorming, and problem-solving – all centered on two fundamental questions: How can we serve our learners better? And how can we improve? The passion and dedication in that room were palpable. What struck me was how deeply everyone cares about this work: it matters to them. It matters to all of us. But as the day progressed, I realized something: many of the English learners in the programs we support may not know just how many people are cheering them on. They may not see the full village behind them – rooting for their success. Everyone in the picture above is part of that village – and they’re only a small fraction of it. Across Montgomery County, program administrators, instructors, volunteers, elected officials, and organizations involved in ESOL instruction are all working toward the same goal: helping our learners achieve the English proficiency they need to improve their financial stability, thrive in their communities, and feel a genuine sense of belonging. So, to all our English learners: even though you may never meet any of us, please know that you are not alone. We are rooting for you. We are cheering you on. We want you to succeed. In today’s political climate, that’s a message we must repeat – and amplify.
By Kairy Castro Barrios June 18, 2025
Last Friday, June 13th, 2025, MCAEL hosted its End-of-Year Celebration & Sharing Session, attended by adult English Instructors and program staff representing 24 programs from the MCAEL network. This End-of-Year Celebration was designed to bring ESOL professionals together to celebrate their dedication and commitment to helping a community of non-native English speakers learn English as a second language, thereby supporting them in their daily lives. Their passion for teaching English as a second language contributed to everyone's eagerness to share the ways their lessons work, teaching methods that engage learners, and identifying the specific instruction skills they'd like to develop. One English instructor mentioned that, towards the end of class, she plays "Hangman" with the learners to help with spelling words; so far, no one has been hanged!  All English instructors and program staff share a common goal: to make a difference in their communities and make a direct impact on those around them. During this celebration, they were asked, “what inspired you to work in the ESOL field?" Instructors mentioned that enabling a community to learn English empowers them to grow and better integrate themselves within society. Brenda Voit, an ESOL instructor at the nonprofit Identity, mentioned that she is an English instructor who fulfills community needs and is passionate about the work she does. Christine Patton; an ESOL teacher at JSSA, spoke about her family’s personal experience emigrating from Germany to the United States and the shared frustrations of not knowing English, as well as navigating that experience in their daily lives. Christine views Montgomery County’s ability to provide free and accessible English classes as a reassuring sign of support. This invaluable resource can make a difference in the lives of many, creating a vibrant, growing coalition of Adult English learners. Kairy Castro Barrios MCAEL Intern