Inspiring ESL Teacher Fosters Inclusive Classroom

Susan Vaughn is making a world of difference at McIntyre Elementary in the North Hills School District. With an unwavering commitment to her students, Vaughn ensures that her English as a Second Language (ESL) students not only grasp the intricacies of a new language, but also feel genuinely welcomed and inspired in their educational journey.

Susan Vaughn, an English as a Second Language teacher at McIntyre Elementary School in the North Hills School District, works with two of her students.

Now in her eighth year with the school district, Vaughn’s approach to teaching goes beyond textbooks and exams. She invests deeply in creating a classroom environment that celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and backgrounds that her students bring with them, allowing for her classroom to become a melting pot where students feel acknowledged, valued, and eager to learn.

“Acknowledging their culture is important to me,” Vaughn said. “It creates a fun learning experience for all students, and in the process, makes sure we have a vibrant and inclusive classroom.”

Vaughn said one of the best ways to connect cultures is through teaching about the various commemorative dates and holidays celebrated across the world. While many school lessons incorporate aspects of widely celebrated holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, Vaughn educates students about more underrepresented traditions and holidays, including Holi, Ramadan, Carnaval, and Diwali.

“We spend these holidays learning about the culture, language, and traditions of the countries that celebrate them,” she said. “We watch videos, listen to music, and make crafts. These days are always exciting for my students as

they enjoy sharing more about their culture with the rest of the class. And it provides them with an excellent opportunity to use their developing English language skills.”

Vaughn’s focus on connecting cultures goes beyond commemorative dates. She closely follows news from around the world to stay up to date on the cultures of her students and implements this knowledge into her teaching. Her overarching goal is to ensure that each student feels a deep sense of belonging within the North Hills community.

Vaughn’s dedication to fostering connections extends to parents as well. Recognizing the importance of family involvement in a child’s education, she employs creative communication strategies to keep parents engaged and informed. One such tool she relies on is ClassDojo, a teacher-parent communication app that bridges language barriers by translating messages automatically.

“ClassDojo is a great resource because parents can set it up in their preferred language and all back-and-forth communication is automatically translated,” Vaughn said. “I also use it to create personal portfolios for my students where I can send photos and videos of them to their parents of the work they complete in our ESL classroom.”

In addition to ClassDojo, Vaughn leverages resources like Talking Points for direct text messaging to parents in their native language, as well as the TransPerfect translation service for phone calls and conferences.

“We can request an interpreter for a specific language and can typically get one on the phone in just a few minutes,” she said about TransPerfect. “These resources have made it so easy to connect with families and make them feel included in school.”

World of Gratitude Award

In recognition for her exceptional dedication, Vaughn was awarded the AIU’s World of Gratitude Award in May 2023. The award is presented annually to a professional in the AIU’s ESL program for demonstrating an exemplary level of professionalism and dedication to students and staff while displaying leadership, expertise, and compassion.

“Several of Susan’s colleagues nominated her for our World of Gratitude Award, and each of them cited her patience and compassion,” said Kelly Noyes, Ed.D., the AIU’s Program Director of Educational Support Services. “Susan has a genuine concern for each of her students and serves as an inspiration to her fellow educators. Her unwavering commitment is an example of how we as educators can change lives.”

-- By Will DeShong

Photos by Michael Tarquinio, Will DeShong, and Heather Pelat