English Language Learners

Staff Contacts

Renee Honaker, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Secondary Instruction

rhonaker@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4550 x 1551

Judy Woolfrey, Ed.D.

Executive Director of Elementary Instruction

jwoolfrey@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4500 x1548

Erin Rafferty

Lead ELL Teacher

erafferty@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4300 x1007

Lena Johnson

OCHS ELL Teacher

ljohnson3@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4300 x1022

Carla Hortas

OCHS ELL Tutor

chortas@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4300 x1014

Mobeena Murad

LGMS ELL Teacher

mmurad@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4480 x1553

Noel Levin

PHMS ELL Teacher

nlevin@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4400 x

Ruth Montano

GBES ELL Teacher

rmontano@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4500 x2002

Brittney Gjorgjievski

UES/LES ELL Teacher

bgjorgjievski@ocss-va.org

LES (540)661-4520 x3007

UES (540)661-4540 x3106

Tonya Dorton

LGES ELL Teacher

tdorton@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4440 x4502

Tonya Dorton

LGPS ELL Teacher

tdorton@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4420 x4123

Andrea Smith

OCES ELL Teacher

asmith2@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4450 x 2919

Sharon Foster

OCES ELL Teacher

sfoster@ocss-va.org

(540)661-4550 x2915

The ELL Department oversees and maintains services provided to English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant youth in support of state and federal regulations. Our staff provides comprehensive registration services and ensures high-quality school-based programs designed to meet the needs of English language learners (ELLs) who live in our school district. Spanish is the predominant language spoken by our ELL families; however, as many as twenty-four other languages are represented in our student body.

Students are provided a program of language instruction at each school in supportive settings including:
Academic language instruction to students at English Language Proficiency (ELP) levels 1-5 for success in language arts, math, social studies, and science;
Support from ESL-certified teachers, tutors and content teachers knowledgeable in techniques which support English language development.
Delivery styles to maximize service opportunities: Co-taught, push-in, pull-out, inclusion, and EL-Only class; and
Support from ESL-certified teachers and content teachers knowledgeable in techniques which support English language development.

Service Model

OCPS ELL Services Description

Program Model: Tiered Services

Content-based Approach to English Language Instruction

The Language Instruction Education Program program is content based in the Orange County Public Schools. Instruction varies depending on the proficiency level of the students and the staffing available. All students will be mainstreamed for as much of the day as possible. Participation in lunch, Art, PE, Music and so on provides valuable social interactions with English speaking peers.

Definition of ELL Service Models

OCPS uses a content-based ELL approach in the elementary, middle and high school with certain service delivery types. Content-based ELL is an approach to teaching ELL which makes use of instructional materials, learning tasks, and classroom techniques from academic content areas as the vehicle for developing language, content, and cognitive skills. English is used as the medium of instruction. OCPS refers to this as content mainstreaming.

Tier 3 Service model for ELP level 1 and 2 students

Collaboration Push-in Model: The ELL teacher and/or tutor (working under the direction of the ELL teacher) pushes into grade level or core content classrooms to support content instruction. Support for academic content is taught within a language framework by reinforcing academic vocabulary and using strategies specific to ELL instruction. The ELL teacher will assist the classroom teacher in modifying and adapting materials, instruction, and curriculum based on individual student language needs according to the WIDA standards. It is a division level expectation that ELL teachers in a content mainstreaming situation assist in planning and modifying instruction by collaborating with classroom/core area teachers.

Targeted small group instruction ELL: In the context of the push-in model, an ELL targeted small group model allows students to divide their time between ELL instruction and classroom/core instruction while remaining in the content classroom; however, pulling out for literacy instruction may be more appropriate (Lexia, Let’s Go, etc.). Small group instruction will be determined by planning and collaboration with the classroom teacher. Students should not be pulled out for literacy instruction during content area course time, only during language arts.

Additionally, teachers may determine that a student is a level 3.0 - 3.3 may also require targeted small group instruction.

High School Model: At the high school level, tier-three services will be a resource model utilizing student assignments to a block of instruction with the ELL teacher. During this time, the ELL teacher will provide English language instruction utilizing the content- based approach.

Grade Monitoring: The ELL teacher will check grades regularly in Powerschool for Tier 3 students and complete a running record form for each student following report card schedule. The ELL teacher will communicate with the classroom teacher regarding grades and collaborate to improve student performance as needed.

Tier 2 Service model for ELP level 3 through 4.3 students

Collaboration: In this model the ELL teacher works in close collaboration with classroom teacher(s) by providing resources, co-planning, assistance in modifying lessons and assessments.

Grade Monitoring: The ELL teacher will check grades in Powerschool for Tier 2 students and complete a running record form for each student according to the report card schedule. The teacher will communicate with the classroom teacher via E-mail or face-to-face contact regularly regarding grades and collaborate to improve student performance.

Tier 1 Service model for ELP levels 4.4 and up.

Exit Monitor Model:

ELL teacher will monitor grades and SOL scores and is responsible for updating the year 6 monitor form according to the report card schedule. The ELL teacher will contact teachers regarding any issues and collaborate to improve student performance as well as document the contact in the monitor form.

English Language Learners

Staff Contacts

Service Model

Content-based Approach to English Language Instruction

Definition of ELL Service Models

Tier 3 Service model for ELP level 1 and 2 students

Tier 2 Service model for ELP level 3 through 4.3 students

Tier 1 Service model for ELP levels 4.4 and up.

Exit Monitor Model:

Guiding Principles of Language Development

WIDA Standards

WIDA Score Guide for Parents

Parent Communication

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