Madison Reporter

From Cambodia to The Gambia, and Belarus to Bolivia, families from around the globe are a part of the MMSD community. With more than 100 languages spoken in the Madison area, providing equitable access to high-quality multilingual, multicultural, and global education is indisputable to ensuring all students thrive.

To support the district’s growing multilingual education offerings for native English speakers and English Learners (EL), multiple roles work within MMSD’s Office of Multilingual Programs and Services: Bilingual Resource Specialists (BRS), Dual Language Immersion (DLI) teachers, Developmental Bilingual Education (DBE) teachers, high school bilingual school counselors, and others.

Marisa Chia-Hui Chang, a Mandarin BRS with 25 years of experience at MMSD, shared her passion for assisting immigrant students and families. Chang, who also speaks Spanish, empathizes with the challenges faced by newcomers, stating, “Having this experience helps me put myself in immigrant students’ and families’ shoes, anticipating their needs and struggles.” She finds joy in helping EL students gain confidence in communication and believes that DLI/EL education fosters open-mindedness and appreciation of diversity.

Kathy Perez Lohr, a DLI History Teacher and Coordinator at MMSD, has witnessed a significant growth in DLI education over the years, emphasizing the importance of cultural connections in learning. Lohr expressed her commitment to providing creative and constructive learning opportunities for students, aiming to validate and honor the use of languages other than English.

Clara Elena Salinas, a Spanish BRS at Lindbergh Elementary School, highlighted the significance of bilingual education in promoting equality and democracy. Salinas values educating non-English-speaking parents about their rights within MMSD and cherishes the relationships she builds with students and families. She recalled a touching experience of supporting a newly immigrated family through various challenges, emphasizing the role of communication and advocacy in her work.

These dedicated staff members at MMSD's Office of Multilingual Programs and Services exemplify the commitment to bridging linguistic and cultural gaps in education, ensuring that all students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.