ELD Department Staff

My name is Melissa Porter Parks and I am the resource teacher (department head) of the ESOL department at Gaithersburg High School. I am originally from Freeport, Pennsylvania and I currently live with my husband, two sons, dog, and three cats in Rockville, Maryland. I attended Allegheny College in Meadville, PA for my undergraduate degree in Political Science and Women's Studies and I attended Chatham University in Pittsburgh PA for my Master's in Teaching. I am currently finishing my doctorate at Drexel University. I have taught in Pittsburgh, DC, and Montgomery County. What I love the most about being at Gaithersburg High School is the wonderful students I get to meet each year.

Favorite Book: The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea

I was born and educated in Lima, Peru. I came to live in Maryland with my family 14 years ago. As a Bilingual Paraeducator I have experience working with a diverse cultural and inclusive environment and serve as a liaison between school staff-administrators and students-families collaborating to solve educational problems. Supporting students is the most important thing. I consider me as a fan # 1 to watch soccer games around the world and also cook Peruvian food.

I am from Nicaragua. I moved here after I got married to a Marylander long, long ago. I have lived in 7 countries and have visited many more. I enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting new people. I have been teaching at GHS for five years.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 10 for EL 1s, Latin American History, Law

Favorite Book: Oh, The Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss

I am originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and I have lived in Maryland with my wife and twin sons since 2015. I have lived and taught in other places including Denver (Colorado), New York, and Berlin (Germany). When I’m not teaching, I enjoy cycling, watching soccer with my sons, running, and reading. This is my fifth year at GHS. What I love most about GHS are our wonderful ESOL students!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 12 (40) and ESOL Resource

Favorite Book: The Glass Castle

I am originally from Poland. I moved to the U.S. in 2013 and have loved being here since. I still travel to Poland as often as I can because my family is there. Teaching is my passion. Prior to MCPS, I taught ESOL in private language schools in Poland and in an ESOL adult program in Montgomery County. Now I am excited to start my second year at GHS! I love languages, history, social and culture studies. I speak Polish and English. I am also trying to learn Spanish and Russian. I like good food, coffee, music, TV shows and sports. Whenever time permits, I enjoy travelling with my husband and our dog.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: Basic Reading 41, English 9 for EL2, English Lang Sem EL 2 41

Favorite Book: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

I am originally from El Salvador, born and raised, I am currently living in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I speak both spanish and English. In my free time I love to cook and have fun family adventures, I also love to dance and do activities in my free time. I joined the Gaithersburg high school community in 2004

Favorite Book: The bible

I was born in New York but have lived most of my life in Takoma Park. However, I lived in Montreal, Canada and Antigua, Guatemala for two years each. I have been teaching ESOL for about 15 years and I am beginning my third year teaching at GHS.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 9 for English Learners 1 & Resource for English Learners

Favorite Book: One of my many favorite books is Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

I am from Gaithersburg, live in Gaithersburg, and now I teach at Gaithersburg High School! I received my masters in TESOL from the University of Maryland in 2016 and I am now in my 5th year teaching at GHS. I love to read, travel, and be outside in nature in my free time.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 11 and Resource

Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice

I am an English and ESOL teacher. This is my fourth year teaching at Gaithersburg HS, where I graduated from Ohio University and taught English in Seoul, South Korea and Charlotte, North Carolina before I came to Maryland. Outside of school, I like to read (no surprise for an English teacher!), spend time in nature, and lift weights.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year:I currently teach Honors English 10 and English 10 for English Learners 2.

Favorite Book: Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Varags Llosa

I am from Philadelphia. I am starting my fifth year of teaching ESOL, but my first at GHS. I taught English abroad in France, then worked for an online teaching company based in China, and then finally at an F1 visa school for adults. I am currently finishing up a Masters in ESOL from Notre Dame of Maryland University. I love playing electric guitar, hiking, and reading.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 10 for EL 2, ESOL Resource

Favorite Book: The Three Body Problem Trilogy by Cixin Liu

I have been at GHS for 15 years. I am also an adjunct professor at Montgomery College where I teach in the English Language for Academic Purposes program. Previously, I worked in Pre-K at Rachel Carson Elementary School. My first career was as a buyer/product manager for major retail companies and a wholesale distributor. I graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana with a BS in Retail Management and a minor in Spanish and then went on for a TESOL Masters from the Univesity of Maryland. I learned Spanish as an exchange student in Barcelona and after not using my skills for many years found my way back to what feels like home teaching ESOL.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 9 & 12

Favorite Book: Alice in Wonderland

Hello, my name is Alejandra Jarquin. I speak both English and Spanish fluently. I was born in El Salvador and came to the United States with my family when I was in Elementary School. I have lived in the state of Maryland most of my life. I graduated from a Montgomery County Public School to which I then attended Montgomery College for two years and then transferred over to UMBC. I am now married and have a one-year old French bulldog. I work as a parent community coordinator (PCC) for Gaithersburg HS, Gaithersburg MS and Gaithersburg ES. As a PCC I am very passionate about empowering families, students, and communities in advocating for their educational success, resource needs and more.

My family and I immigrated to the United States from South Korea when I was seven years old and we lived in Maryland ever since. An ESOL graduate myself, I remember how it feels to be in a new country and how hard it is to learn a new language. Luckly, I met some amazing ESOL teachers along the way and here I am today, hoping to be the same kind of positive influence to my own students. I am a graduate of MCPS and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. In my spare time, I love to travel, go on walks, and find pretty cafes to enjoy a good cup of coffee. I can speak three languages- English, Korean, Mandarin Chinese- and am hoping to add Spanish on to the list!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 10 for ELL 2, Honors English 10-40

Favorite Book: Harry Potter

I was born and raised in Martinsburg, WV. I love meeting people from around the world and finding beauty in all cultures. I did humanitarian aid work and taught English in Europe for ten years. I am fluent in Serbo-Croatian. I finished my Bachelors degree in Bible & Theology between stints overseas. I just finished my M.Ed. degree in Curriculum & Instruction, ESOL in February of 2020! I taught at another school in Maryland for several years before coming to GHS in 2019. I love almost any kind of Latino food and one of my goals this school year is to improve my Spanish!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: Hon English 11 40, Hon English 11 41 EL 3

Favorite Book: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, CA, I lived in Valparaiso, Chile for 18 months where I enjoyed learning Spanish, teaching English, and eating lots of empanadas. After returning to Oakland, I taught ESOL there for 4 years at a small High School. Now I am brand new to MCPS and very excited to be part of the community here at GHS. Apart from teaching, I love traveling and playing soccer!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: MAPS

Favorite Book: The Alchemist

I was born and raised in El Salvador in the rural area. Study agronomic engineering in my country, but now live in Frederick with my son. I love Peruvian and Salvadorian food. ( Pupusas ) l love to play soccer and in the summer season I work as a referee. I work as a Paraeducator at MCPS for 8 years or more, l love helping students in whatever way I can, it is a great opportunity to connect and learn different cultures from each student.

My name is Ryan Plaisance and I am a proud GHS alumni! I graduated in 2009 and was a member of the boy’s soccer team while at GHS. I went on to become a student-athlete at St. Mary’s College of Maryland studying Psychology and playing for the men’s soccer team there. After I graduated college I began working in MCPS and received my masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I’ve had experience working at the Elementary and Middle School level, but excited to start High School again!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 9 for EL 1 and NSL Government

Favorite Book: The Tyranny of Words

My family and I migrated to Oxnard, CA, from Philippines, when I was a junior in High School. Did all my schooling in Northern CA and taught Elementary for 5 years in the Sacramento area before moving to Frederick, MD in 2007. Other than Elementary, I also taught 11 years in Middle school before transitioning to GHS, 3 years ago. My family and I love to travel so summer is my favorite time of the year.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: Honors English 10 (40) and English 10 for EL 2

Favorite Book: Tuesday with Morrie

I am originally from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands but now live in Gaithersburg with my husband and daughter. I love teaching, traveling and spending time with my family. I have been teaching in MCPS for 6 years. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy taking walks and exploring new things with my family.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: MAPS, Hon English 9 40

Favorite Book: Efren Divided

I am a 4th generation Washington, D.C. native. My parents moved our family to Silver Spring from the District when I was young. I attended high school in MCPS- at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring. Then, I studied accounting and finance at the University of Maryland. After working full-time, I decided to stay home with my sons for several years. Then, I pursued a new challenge - becoming an ESOL teacher! I have always enjoyed meeting people from different cultures and learning about their backgrounds and cultural identities. Teaching offers me many opportunities to learn from, and engage with, people from all over the world. I enjoy traveling with my husband and sons, especially to the U.S. National Parks. Reading and cooking are passions of mine, in addition to teaching new English speakers!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: English 10/ESOL Level 2 & ESOL Resource.

Favorite Book: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: METS Spanish

Favorite Book:

I was born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland and have always wanted to be a teacher. I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a M.Ed. in Language Instruction and Acquisition. I enjoy reading and listening to music in my spare time. I’m a huge history buff and love visiting major historical landmarks. It’s a dream of mine to travel the world and experience life in other countries.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: Hon. English 11 (40)

Favorite Book: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

I love living in Maryland where I can experience the city, woods, rivers, bays, and beaches all within a short drive. However, in addition to living in the U.S. I have also lived abroad in Europe for seven years. I have always appreciated the rich mix of languages, customs, and cultures whenever I have visited. I have taught students from many parts of the world, and although this year will certainly be unique, I am looking forward to the virtual journey ahead!

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: Hon English 11 41; Eng Lang Sem. EL 3; Resource

Favorite Book: Green Eggs & Ham/ Dr. Seuss

My family is originally from Kentucky, and I lived there until the age of 12. We came to suburban Maryland for my father’s work. I am a graduate of Montgomery Village Junior High (yes, junior high then) and Seneca Valley High School. I studied French and Mass Communications as an undergraduate and TESOL in graduate school. I have lived in France, Japan and Holland. I worked at MC for 18 years (ESL- APPE program) and also two years at the Maryland English Institute at UMD. I’m thrilled to start my second year at GHS. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful colleagues and students! In my free time, I pursue adventures with my three wonderful kiddos and our silly pup Nora. We love to go to concerts, camp, swim, kayak, and travel.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: METS (Developmental Reading) and Resource

Favorite Book: The Poisonwood Bible

I was born in South Vietnam. My family immigrated to Taiwan and later moved to Melbourne, Australia. After living in Australia for 8 years as a legal clerk, I followed my husband to United States. I now reside in Gaithersburg, Maryland with my husband and son.

I have been working at Gaithersburg High School for the past 28 years as an ESOL para educator. I am very passionate about math and support ESOL Algebra and Geometry at our high school.

I also can speak, read,and write three languages: English, Vietnamese, and Madarin. I also speak other Chinese dialects such as Hokkien, Taiwanes, Cantonese, Dua-Chiu and I’m currently learning Spanish.

Outside of school, I love being active and enjoy nature. I also enjoy listening to classical music and reading books.

I am originally from Puerto Rico but now live in Germantown, Maryland. I am fully bilingual in Spanish and English. When I’m not teaching, I love exploring, traveling, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.

Courses taught 2020-2021 School Year: Hon English 9 40 and Hon NSL 40

Favorite Book: The Aurora Cycle