​Dear Parents,

My name is Mariela Berrocal. I am the lead English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Alston Ridge Middle school. 

I am excited to be working with students who speak another language at home. I love this position and the opportunity to work so closely with students from all over the world!

I am fluent in Spanish, which is my native language. Thus, English is also my second language. 

I was born in Costa Rica. However, I left that country many years ago. 

I am married to my wonderful husband William, who is originally from Massachusetts. That is where I obtained my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Worcester State College.

Since my husband and I love the warm weather, we decided to move to North Carolina later on.

I then attended North Carolina State University where I earned my Master’s in English as a Second Language. Together, we have two wonderful young adults, Maria and Diego, who are twins and college graduates. We also have a Yorkie mix dog, her name is Mimi and loves to be pampered all the time.

I look forward to meeting you and supporting your child’s language domains to help her/him succeed and attain their academic goals. I also invite you to become involved in our English Language Learners’ program. One idea can be having families who share traditional holiday celebrations from their home country in our classroom. I have been involved in schools that have had students dress in their traditional garb and share some basic facts about their home country as a celebration of the cultures represented within the school.

Again, I welcome suggestions and volunteers willing to help in any way.

Please feel free to contact me anytime:  

Email work address:  mberrocal@wcpss.net 

Work phone number: (919) 694-8044 ext. 27935

Room :  1304

Thank you very much,

Mariela Berrocal

ESL Teacher