Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education Hosts ESOL Student Cohort Celebration!
By Laura McCadden
This past spring semester, the IEECE selected a group of early childhood practitioners to begin their journey together as a cohort to attend the first in a series of EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses. The cohort’s EAP 0388 course was taught by Professor Laura McCadden, the Education Success Center Manager at the IEECE.
This special cohort brought early childhood education students together to give them extra support and a forum where they could share their common experiences as they began to master the English language through the College’s EAP courses.
The cohort was created with the intention of having a long term effect on student retention and academic success.
On April 14, 2016, the students celebrated their academic achievements and course completion with a celebration hosted by the IEECE.
Latin treats and Cafe con Leche were provided, and the students entertained the invited guests with a demonstration of their newly learned English skills. Students read their own poetry, read poems by famous poets, played music, and performed humorous skits for their fellow students and guests. Each student received a certificate from the Institute for academic achievement.
Grace Kolbe and Darcy Russo, the Director and Assistant Director of the IEECE, spoke to the students and recognized them for their hard work, persistence, and their determination to become proficient in English in order to further their education.
Mike Sfiropoulos, the Palm Beach State College Lake Worth campus Department Chair for EAP, also spoke to the students and encouraged them to continue with their next EAP course. The students were particularly pleased when Professor Sfiropoulos included some remarks in their native language.
The IEECE cohort students participated in a poetry writing contest as part of the EAP 0388 course. The students used a format from the poem This Is Just to Say, by William Carlos Williams, to guide their creativity.
Norma Garcia’s poem "My Country," displayed below, was awarded the prize for the best poem amongst a group of very creative poems submitted by the students. The theme of Norma’s poem fit perfectly with the Institute’s philosophy of providing educational and financial opportunities to all Early Childhood Educators in Palm Beach County.
If you would like to have more information about the IEECE ESOL cohorts or would like to be a participant in the program – please contact Myriam Torres, Career Advisor, at 868-3953 or torresm1@palmbeachstate.edu.
Poetry contest winner Norma Garcia, pictured reciting her poem at the ESOL Celebration.
"My Country" by Norma Garcia
Dear Cuba
My Beautiful country
With its blue beaches
Valleys and mountains
All lit by the bright Sun
Coming down from
A big blue sky
Forgive me
I miss you, but
I am now
In a wonderful country
A country full of dreams
And great opportunities.
