News

At the end of May, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County celebrated its first English for Academic Spaces class. Certificates were handed out to these hopeful educators who strive to stand in front of their own classroom one day.

Over the course of 12 Saturdays, a group of like-minded students came together with the same dream, and the same background - English as Second Language speakers.

Instructor Jill Morin led the program aimed at building confidence, strengthening their understanding of English, and preparing them for a future in front of students. Along with 12 class sessions, students completed four practicum hours per week in MECK Pre-K classrooms.

"Our classes are all about empowering participants to step into their careers with confidence. Students improve their English language skills, build a network of supportive colleagues and, most importantly, cultivate the confidence to pursue their next steps in employment," said Morin.

Many will return for a second session this fall, while opportunities for new students to begin the journey begin this fall. A virtual information session is being provided on August 21 with two opportunities, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

This content supports our vision that all children in Mecklenburg County turn five ready to thrive.