Multilingual Learners are students who are learning social, instructional, and academic English as an additional language, and who are consistently exposed to another language at home and/or in their community.
Multilingual Learners bring a rich diversity of languages and cultures to our school district, enhancing the educational experience for all. Our district is committed to providing MLLs with the resources and support they need to thrive academically and socially.
Champlain Valley Union High School: 9-12
sblair@cvsdvt.org
802-482-7100
Champlain Valley Union High School: 9-12
Charlotte Central School: K-8
rfaour@cvsdvt.org
802-482-7100 ext 8139 - CVU
802-383-1154 - CCS
Champlain Valley Union High School: 9-12
Hinesburg Elementary School: PK-8
jshawdaniels@cvsdvt.org
802-482-7100 ex 8139 - CVU
802-482-6266 - HCS
I began teaching English overseas in 1989 and have since taught in Italy, Brazil, China, and the United States. Along the way, I’ve worked with both children and adults, from early learners to graduate students preparing to teach English themselves. For the past 18 years, I’ve been part of CVSD, teaching across the district in three schools. I am currently serving at Williston Central School. I deeply value our culturally diverse students and their families and feel grateful to be part of such welcoming school communities.
Shelburne Community School: PK-8
ptursi@cvsdvt.org
802-985-3331 ext. 152
Shelburne Community School: PK-8
emonaghan@cvsdvt.org
802-985-3331 ext. 154
Robyn Suarez teaches English to Multilingual Learners in Shelburne and Charlotte. She has been teaching in Champlain Valley School District since the 2019-2020 school year. Prior to working for CVSD, Robyn taught English abroad in Malaysia. She understands the many challenges that can come with living in an unfamiliar community with an unfamiliar language, and this informs Robyn’s passion for working with the whole family and supporting their transition to Vermont. Outside of school, you may find Robyn teaching Driver’s Education to multilingual drivers, kayaking along Shelburne Bay, or fixing up her house in Colchester.
Shelburne Community School: PK-8
rsuarez@cvsdvt.org
802-985-3331 ext. 154
Allen Brook School: PK-2
awrightshank@cvsdvt.org
802-871-6242
Williston Central School: 3-8
msediclawton@cvsdvt.org
802-871-6081
Williston Central School: 3-8
ssimpson@cvsdvt.org
802-871-6089
The CVSD Multilingual Learner Program’s mission is to ensure educational equity in the ability of language learners to meaningfully access classroom instruction. Our mission is to instruct, support and advocate for our Multilingual Learners to gain the linguistic, social, cultural and academic skills needed to succeed as members within the CVSD community and beyond.
The Seal of Biliteracy is a nationwide award that recognizes a high school student’s achievement of a high level of proficiency in English plus another language.
The Seal of Biliteracy award is in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education. In order to encourage Multilingual Learners to pursue the Seal of Biliteracy, CVSD supports a Pathways preparatory program to the Seal of Biliteracy by offering language instruction in their heritage language. A heritage language is a language other than English that is present in a student’s home life or background. There are over 30 heritage languages in CVSD. A student’s high school transcript and graduation diploma will note this huge accomplishment.