Welcome to our English Language Development (ELD) program at iLEAD Exploration for the 2024-2025 school year! We are honored to work with your learner through their journey in education and English language development. This newsletter contains highlights we would like to share with you and your family. At the bottom of this newsletter, you can also learn a little bit about the team that will be working with your ELD learner throughout the year.
Our ELD Program includes these REQUIRED components:
Live ELD Instruction through our ELD classes or a 1:1 tutor
Asynchronous ELD Instruction with several curriculum options to choose from
Live ELD Classes
Our ELL team offers live interactive instruction across all domains – speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Learners will learn and practice skills and strategies together in engaging ways while interacting with their peers. These classes are highly encouraged and fulfill the live component for your EL Learner.
High school learners will join the EL Coordinator at 12:30 PM on Mondays. Zoom Link Here.
Our TK/K learners will join our TK/K team at 9:00 AM every Tuesday. Zoom Link Here.
1st-8th graders will attend classes at 9:30 AM every Tuesday.
Log-in information will be emailed to you every Monday as a friendly reminder.
Building Writers for K-5: Asynchronous Option
Building Writers composition workbooks build writing skills developmentally. Each book eases K-5 learners into their writing journeys with scaffolded support that hones writing fluency, language, and vocabulary. Learners build the skills they need to become successful
independent writers through brief, focused activities.
Our ELL team turned these workbooks into a video series that your learner can use to progress through the curriculum with guidance.
Contact your EF to get started with this curriculum and video series.
ELD Tips and Strategies for 6th-12th – Asynchronous Option
For our 6th-12th grade EL learners, we have a unique video series on Tips and Strategies for ELD. These videos cover all domains – speaking, listening, reading, and writing – in a short, consistent format. Learners will learn a tip or strategy and see how it applies to their learning. In addition, test prep is embedded within the series with specific ELPAC questions to prepare them for testing in the spring. These videos will support any learner in their language arts/English skills.
Contact your EF to get started with this video series.
Other Options for Asynchronous ELD
At iLEAD our focus is personalized education. If the above options are not a great fit for your learner, we have more to choose from:
Pre-recorded videos and assignments created by our ELL Team.
BrainPOP EL: Consists of short, animated movies as well as games, quizzes, and interactive features. It encompasses the four main language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Acellus ESL classes: Primary and secondary classes available.
Individual Based Assignments, as needed.
Contact your EF to get started with any of these options.
ELAC Meeting: English Language Advisory Committee
Please join us for our upcoming English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) meetings! The ELAC is a school-level committee of parents, staff, and community members designated to advise school officials on English learner programs and services. Each school with at least 21 learners must form an ELAC, and the committee must meet at least four times per year.
iLEAD would love to have parents join these meetings so we can best support families and learners. These are public meetings, and all are welcome. If any voting takes place, only the parents/guardians of English learners can vote. We want your voices heard.
Our first meeting of the school year will be scheduled soon . We will email all parents with the log-in information and agenda as we get closer. After each meeting, you will find the agendas and minutes here. We look forward to seeing you!
Learning Opportunities Offered at iLEAD
Synchronous Instruction with your EF
Educational Facilitators (EFs) offer synchronous instruction opportunities for learners each week.
These are not mandatory to attend but are highly encouraged! EFs will send the schedule of offerings for their roster. These will help your EL learner across all domains and subject areas.
Lunch Bunch – Daily
Lunch Bunch is a live-interaction opportunity for learners to connect. See the Lunch Bunch Flier for more information and log-in links. This is a wonderful way for your learner to practice their speaking and listening skills.
TK – 2nd: Fridays, 11:30 – 12:00
3rd – 8th: Monday – Friday, 12:00 – 12:30
9th – 12th: Thursdays, 11:30 – 12:00
View additional opportunities for Live Interaction on our events calendar on our website.
ParentSquare
School-wide communication and important alerts are shared through ParentSquare. This program will translate the messages into the language of your choosing.
Name & Role: Stephanie Koshuta (previously Casolara), EL Site Coordinator
Location: Yucca Valley, CA
Family: Husband, 5 kiddos (12-year-old son, 9-year-old son, one-year-old daughter, and 2 bonus stepkids, 13 and 17)
Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy reading, taking walks, and going to fun new places with my family.
Fun Fact: Before I moved here to teach, I lived in Upstate New York (not the city, farm country).
Name & Role: Erin Emsley, Educational Facilitator
Location: Yucca Valley
Family: My husband and I have two kids, a three-year-old named Silas and a 6-month-old named Flora. We also have two cats, James and Parsnip.
Interests/Hobbies: I love traveling and visiting new places. I also enjoy writing, photography, music, and swimming.
Fun Fact: I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and lived in Sevilla, Spain, twice – once as a student and later as an English teacher. I hope to return someday!
Name & Role: Julie Littlefield, Educational Facilitator
Location: Pasadena, CA
Family: I live with my husband, three-year-old daughter, a bunny, fish, and gigantic dog.
Interests/Hobbies: Yoga, reading, bike riding
Fun Fact: Before I got married, my last name was Little, but I am super tall!
Name & Role: Rebecca Hu, Educational Facilitator
Location: San Pedro, CA
Family: Daughters (2) and husband
Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, eating, and crafting
Fun Fact: I grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Name & Role: Mary Nieves
Location: Valencia, CA
Family: I’ve been married for 13 years. We have a daughter in 5th and a son in 2nd and a tall labradoodle named Murphy.
Interests/Hobbies: I love theatre. I love watching my kids’ sporting events – soccer and swim team.
Fun Fact: I have a BA in Theatre and I’ve been in about 15 episodes of The Young and the Restless playing Bonnie the Maid.
Name & Role: Yolonda Nunley, Educational Facilitator
Location: Culver City, CA
Family: Husband is a music teacher; 2 kids (8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter
Interests/Hobbies: I love baking, hiking, and traveling
Fun Fact: I have lived and taught in New York City and California for 18 years.
Name & Role: Stephanie Towle, Educational Facilitator
Location: Long Beach, CA
Family: I am married, and I have 2 kids, Tessa (2 years old) and Will (6 months old).
Interests/Hobbies: I love to travel and hang out with my family and friends.
Fun Fact: I was born and raised in Wisconsin. Also, I lived in Bolivia for 2.5 years after college as a volunteer teaching English and working with various programs there.
Name & Role: Logielyn Wasan, EF & 6th-8th grade ELD teacher
