Emily Sherlock ‘24 | Elementary Education major, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) minor
Minoring in ESOL offers a different experience than being in a general education classroom. It allows you more time to get closer to small groups…for me, it was a really rewarding experience to help students develop their English skills. At Saint Anselm, there are opportunities to apply knowledge from ESOL classes to the internship, along with community engaged learning opportunities that expand that knowledge even more.
Emily Sherlock ’24 is an Elementary Education major and an ESOL minor. She plans to obtain a Master’s in Moderate Disabilities from Merrimack College and will work as a fellow at Sanborn Elementary School in Andover, Mass., applying her ESOL knowledge to the classroom.
Why did you pursue an ESOL minor in your teaching profession?
I pursued an ESOL minor at Saint Anselm because I wanted to build upon my previous experience in elementary education and expand my knowledge of working with children whose native language is not English. Working in Manchester where there is a lot of language diversity, I applied what I learned in class to my placement at Beach Street Elementary School.
What’s unique about the ESOL minor?
Something unique about the ESOL minor is that it certified me in sheltered English immersion (SEI.) Knowing that I wanted to teach in Massachusetts post-graduation, it helped me to achieve those career goals. It also allowed me to spend additional time in the classroom before graduating. I completed my student teaching at Bakersville Elementary School in Manchester and continued my role in Manchester Public Schools at Beech Street Elementary School.
How did Saint Anselm College prepare you for life after college?
After graduating, I am getting a Master’s in Moderate Disabilities at Merrimack College where I will be a fellow at Sanborn Elementary School in Andover, Mass. From my experience at Saint Anselm, I knew I wanted a master’s program that offered a classroom placement along with graduate courses. I learned that it is an extremely beneficial experience to be able to take knowledge from courses and immerse it into hands-on experiences in the classroom.
What ESOL courses did you take at Saint Anselm?
I took two ESOL internship courses with Professor Denis Jobin and Professor Diana Sherman. In the classes, we shared our personal classroom observations and reflected on the different experiences within the Manchester community. Taking these courses helped me apply knowledge from content learned in my internship at Beach Street Elementary School.
What advice would you give students interested in pursuing an ESOL minor?
I would advise future students to minor in ESOL as it offers a different experience than just being a classroom teacher. It allows you more time to get closer to small groups of students within your classroom. It’s a really rewarding experience being able to help students develop their English language skills.
How were you involved on campus at Saint Anselm College?
I worked as a peer writing assistant in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) where I offered support to students seeking additional tips outside of the classroom. I also enjoyed my time volunteering at the Meelia Center for Community Engagement with Families in Transition, 21st Century, and Girls Inc.. These experiences helped me to understand the diversity and importance of making connections with children within the community.
Who was your favorite professor and why?
Professor Kelly Demers helped me to gain a stronger understanding of ESOL and the wide range of diversity in classroom experiences. Taking her Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners and Multicultural Perspectives in Public Schools courses inspired me to minor in ESOL.