Learn with Mel Hern

Newcomer students—recent arrivals to the United States—often face a whirlwind of challenges as they adjust to a new country, culture, and school system. For educators, the responsibility of supporting these amazing students extends beyond academics. It requires empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to creating equitable learning opportunities. This blog explores the journey newcomers face, practical strategies for supporting them, and how we can embrace bilingual instruction to help students thrive academically and socially. Please know that this post is not an exhaustive list of the struggles Newcomers face and the strategies that educational institutions must take. Instead, this is a very basic springboard to ongoing work that should most definitely continue as educators receive more diverse students from around the world in their classrooms. Understanding the Newcomer Experience Newcomers arrive with a variety of backgrounds, languages, and educational experiences. Some...

Is Racism Real in the United States? Exploring the Complexities Racism in the United States is a deeply rooted issue, intertwined with both historical and systemic challenges. While some argue that racial inequality is driven purely by economic factors, my experiences and research reveals that race plays a significant role in shaping experiences and opportunities in America today. From education and employment to housing and criminal justice, racial disparities persist, underscoring the reality of racism. Stick with me and lets explore this topic a bit further.  Systemic Inequality in Numbers Statistics consistently show that people of color face disproportionate challenges. And, as many people have said; numbers do not lie. Lets look at the following: Mass Incarceration : Black Americans are incarcerated at rates nearly five times higher than white Americans. Hispanic and Indigenous communities also face disproportionately high incarceration rates due to systemic biases in the cri...

Understanding and Supporting English Language Learners (ELLs): In classrooms across the United States, over 5 million students are English Language Learners (ELLs), making up about 10% of the public school population. These students bring incredible diversity in culture, language, and perspective, enriching our classrooms. But they also face unique challenges that require thoughtful support from educators, families, and communities to succeed academically and socially. As educators, it’s important to ask ourselves: Are we meeting the needs of these learners? Are we helping them thrive, or unintentionally leaving them behind? By understanding the levels of language acquisition, the experiences of ELL students, and strategies for support, we can ensure their success. ELL Language Proficiency Levels: ELL students are not a monolith. Their proficiency in English varies greatly, and understanding where they fall on the spectrum of language development is key to providing the right support. ...