Melinda's Story

In July 2022, shortly after relocating to South Carolina, veteran educator Melinda joined our network. An experienced teacher of multilingual learners (MLs), she quickly became involved in SCMLE’s work. She began serving on a committee developing resources to strengthen communication between schools and multilingual families. Later, she joined the team that plans and facilitates professional learning events for educators across the state.

 Melinda’s dedication to multilingual and immigrant students began long before she moved to South Carolina. Before relocating, she taught in Florida, where support for MLs was more built into the system. Teachers regularly collaborated, shared strategies, and had clearer guidance around curriculum, assessments, and policies that supported students' learning English.

  When Melinda moved to South Carolina, she quickly realized that many educators lacked the same level of preparation or access to resources to support MLs. In her new role, she managed a large caseload without a set curriculum while also learning new state and district policies.

  At first, the work felt isolating. She had previously been used to built-in collaboration and professional support. As she settled into her new role, she focused on learning the policies, building connections with other multilingual educators, and developing relationships with the families she served. She also brought her own experiences and insight to SCMLE and helped support other educators who were navigating similar challenges.

  Through SCMLE, Melinda connected with colleagues across multiple school districts who understood both the joys and challenges of multilingual classrooms. She gained access to meaningful professional learning and built relationships with fellow teachers who shared resources and guidance. As Melinda explains, “I’ve been able to collaborate and work together with people in my committees, and some of those relationships have gone from being more of a collaborative thing of just working on projects to now growing into true friendships.”

SCMLE programs have also supported her classroom in practical ways. Through the SCMLE Diverse Book Bank, Melinda has been able to expand her classroom library with books that better reflect the languages, cultures, and experiences of her students. For many students, it may be the first time they have seen their language, culture, or family story represented in a classroom library.

  The network has also helped Melinda support her students more effectively. She shares, “It’s helpful to have a variety of resources available to you. When you’re trying to come up with everything by yourself, it can be overwhelming, but when you talk to others and share ideas and resources, it makes a big difference.”

Now in her fourth year teaching in South Carolina, she reflects, “I feel equipped and supported in my ML role. I know that at any point I can pick up the phone or send a message to anyone in the SCMLE network, and they will help me.”

That support shows up in concrete ways for students and families. Melinda’s students receive instruction that builds their English language skills and helps them access the grade-level content they need to succeed. Families experience clearer communication and stronger partnerships with the school. Students who are multilingual or newly arrived are less likely to be overlooked or misunderstood, because their teacher understands both their strengths and how to advocate for them within the school system.

Stories like Melinda’s remind us that students and families benefit when educators are supported. Every teacher SCMLE reaches creates a ripple effect of impact in classrooms, schools, and communities. By investing in teachers, building networks, and sharing resources, SCMLE empowers MLs across South Carolina to experience both academic success and belonging in school. This impact is made possible by the generosity of our donors and partners!