English Language Acquisition

Did you know that there are over 25 languages spoken by students at Lowry Elementary? From Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, our families represent the entire world!

Lowry’s English Language Acquisition (ELA) Team is dedicated to supporting these culturally and linguistically diverse students so that they can participate equally and meaningfully in the classroom. We value students’ home languages and cultures while helping them learn the English needed for school work. For that reason, you will hear us calling our students emerging bilinguals.

Meet the ELA Team

Carrie Richardson -- ELA Teacher

I started teaching in Denver Public Schools in 2007, and I am so pleased to be a part of the Lowry family. I have a Masters degree in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education from the University of Colorado. I am originally from Colorado and have also lived in Jalisco, Mexico. I speak English and Spanish. I enjoy hiking and gardening with my family. I also love to run, and I read a lot. My son, Benjamin, is 8 years old. He loves LEGO and science.

Erica Marquez -- ELA Teacher

I am a Colorado Native, born and raised in Denver. My husband, daughter, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I have been an ELA-E teacher for 12 years. Throughout my career, I have served emerging bilinguals by teaching English language development to students who are designated as English language learners. I have taught Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, as well as working as an assessment leader and team specialist. I have been lucky enough to work at Swansea Elementary for all those years and I’m excited for a new chapter in my career. I have lived close to the Lowry neighborhood for many years and I am excited to become a part of the Lowry family.

Leyla Zaoui -- ELA Paraprofessional (Arabic +)

I live in Glendale with my only child Ryan. He is 16 years old and goes to G.W. High School. I was born in Morocco and moved to the U.S in 1999. I am a college graduate and I majored in youth. I worked for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Morocco. I’ve been in Lowry Elementary School as a paraprofessional in Kindergarten for 10 years (I really enjoyed it!). This will be my second year working with ELA. I lived in Kassel, Germany for 2 years to learn German. I speak Arabic, French, English, and Moroccan. I am interested in traveling, cooking, playing chess, silk painting, reading, and watching movies.

Nestor Casares Santillano -- ELA Paraprofessional (Spanish)

I was born in Denver, Colorado but my family moved back to Durango, Mexico when I was five years old. I grew up there and came back to Denver after 13 years. My parents and younger sister are still in Durango. I graduated from New America School-Lowry, just down the street from Lowry Elementary School. I earned a scholarship to be able to go on to college. I want to continue my education here in Colorado and will start classes at the Community College of Denver in January 2018. I love working with computers and want to earn a degree in Computer Science at Metro. I like helping children learn to speak English and have a good experience as they begin their education. I have taught myself how to play the guitar, the bass guitar and the piano. I like biking, swimming, watching movies and going to music concerts.