Starting at a new school can be a stressful time for any student. When they are newcomers with limited proficiency in the English language, the experience can be even more overwhelming. Luckily, new students in the Tuxedo Union Free School District have Aubrey Fowler, ENL (English as a New Language) Teacher to help them make the transition.
Fowler supports K-12 students in their educational journey who do not have a mastery of the English language. She spends time with them in their regular content classes and also works with them one-on-one.
“I take whatever task the teacher has them working on and try to make it comprehensible and accessible to the student,” Fowler explains. This can employ any number of strategies, including translating an assignment, setting up a graphic organizer, and providing options for sentence starters.
An avid traveler and passionate learner of all cultures, Fowler was drawn to this unique role as a ENL Teacher. A multicultural education promotes equity, encourages acceptance and fosters inclusion, and Fowler encourages all of her students to embrace their various cultural backgrounds.
“Fowler is not just teaching language,” stated George F. Baker High School Principal Jared Kahmar. “She goes above and beyond to try to help students and families navigate the school system and community.”
“So many times when I was overwhelmed with school work I would cry, and she would calm me down and tell me that I could do it!” recalls Senior Alondra Sarabia, who came to Tuxedo in 2020 and has benefited greatly from Fowler’s dedication and care. “I love Ms. Fowler, she is like my second mom. I am going to miss her so much.”
Fowler is proud of the connections she has with “her families”, and looks forward to connecting them with the community services and programs that are available to them. “I have post-it notes all over my desk and my house reminding me to follow up with a certain student about their lesson, or get in touch with a family to tell them about a program,” she explains. “My students and their families are always on my mind.”
Since the past three years have seen a 26% increase in the ENL student population at TUFSD, Fowler has been working to introduce more multicultural experiences where her students can proudly share information about their native countries, foods and culture.
Fowler hopes that her work helps students become successful not just here in TUFSD, but in life. “The gratification doesn’t always come when you expect it. But then you catch a glimpse of a student doing something that a week, or month, or year ago they couldn’t or wouldn't have been able to; that's the really fun part.”