A More Learning Perspective from a MCAEL insider:

June 16, 2021
Monica Casañas of MCAEL with an English Innovations class of High Beginner Learners

At MCAEL we often describe our More Learning Less Teaching workshop as an intensive two-day master’s program for new instructors. It’s a short way to describe the value of the training. I’d like to share what I got out of it.

I had fallen into the trap, the I know English therefore I can teach English trap. As a little girl I would try and teach my grandparents how to speak English. As my English skills excelled I would correct my mother’s accent and her grammar in letters she’d write at work or letters to my school. Decades later this was a motivating factor in taking a position with MCAEL. I never wanted anyone to have to go through what my Grandparents and family did – not being able to communicate with doctors, missed opportunities and disconnectedness from the larger community.

When I was invited to teach an ESOL class I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to see what it was like to formally teach. I thought teaching would help me gain perspective on my new position at MCAEL and I wanted to help people. Had I ever taught or had experience teaching? I taught people about their rights as tenants (harking back to my days as a tenant organizer) but had I taught English – no. In my mind I thought – I know English, I learned English in school, I use it every day, I think I can do this.

With dwindling attendance numbers during the first session of my ESOL class I knew I needed to make a change. I attended More Learning Less Teaching and realized I needed training and education to teach ESOL to adults. My eyes were opened. 

Basics like scaffolding, recall and ice-breakers rocked my teaching world! I felt embarrassed to have minimized how enormous the task at hand was. Granted, not everyone has a TESOL degree, nor do you necessarily need this to be a good ESOL teacher. You do however need a good foundation to grow from. I was thankful  to get this crash course through MCAEL's More Learning  program.  Following the course, my handbook and other classroom realia received much wear and tear. I met others like myself whose intentions were good but like me lacked ESOL training. It made me realize the role this training has in our community. MCAEL as a convener provides this very crucial puzzle piece – professional support and development to organizations and people who want to help immigrants acquire language skills through quality instruction. The More Learning training introduces new instructors to the foundations of ESOL and supports student learning through instructor professional development – free of charge, a huge benefit to local organizations, ESOL teachers and students.

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