GrapeSEED Teacher Testimonial

February 2nd, 2026

I love this quote from writer, speaker, and coach Todd Stocker: “I wanted to figure out why I was so busy, but I couldn’t find the time to do it.” It’s true that in educators’ worlds today, everyone is busier than ever! Even when we aren’t in the classroom, at a staff meeting, or out in the community, we’re still always ‘on.’ That’s why we were thrilled when twenty-two-year veteran ELL teacher, Brooke Mindnich, from Eatontown, NJ made time to share about her experience with the GrapeSEED curriculum.

Take a look:

“As far as oral language development programs go, GrapeSEED is the best I have experienced in my 22 years teaching in the U.S. public schools. I use GrapeSEED with my beginner and intermediate multilingual kindergarten and first grade students. They are engaged throughout each lesson with movement, songs, stories, poems, and chants that are infused with the target vocabulary and language patterns for each unit. The subsequent unit builds on the prior unit creating continued complexity with just the right balance of comprehensible input and challenge. "Hats off"   to the writers and creators of the materials. They have done a phenomenal job. Their organized approach to repetition is genius. Capitalizing on the natural approach to language acquisition, my students are taken by surprise and thrilled when suddenly they are recognizing words and phrases in their mainstream classes and activities that they have been exposed to in their GrapeSEED lessons. They begin to make connections and feel successful due to GrapeSEED's communicative approach and a carefully organized functional-notional framework. Daily repetition of phonograms, listening to sounds in words, and concepts of print are key parts of each lesson which reinforce content taught in the mainstream class and support the science of reading as students build literacy. My students are excited about our lessons and look forward to each new unit. They enjoy the challenge and are filled with a sense of accomplishment when they move into memory mode (can sing and recite the stories by memory).

As a teacher, I am motivated to learn and present the materials in each new unit with confidence. I feel GrapeSEED is truly invested in their philosophy and are committed to maintaining the integrity of their program and approach to language learning.  They do this by providing each teacher with a GrapeSEED coach who is always on call and available to troubleshoot and share experience and ideas. There are a multitude of professional development videos available, and I truly enjoy the GrapeSEED Official Podcast which goes over teaching techniques, specific units, and a plethora of topics to keep me inspired and my lessons fresh.

Since I have started using GrapeSEED 2 years ago in grades K-1, I always feel as though my lessons are effective. There is not a wasted moment. I am using a program backed by research & science and scripted to make the most of each component as I move from lessons 1 to 30 slowly releasing the support and allowing the students to apply what they have learned. The digital content available to project on my SmartBoard is key and keeps the lessons moving along at an efficient pace. I do not have to spend precious teacher time organizing materials and lesson plans. It is all done for me. I review the lessons, highlight questions and interactions, and pull any props I may need to keep the lessons tangible for the students. We have fun and I get  A LOT of exercise and so do the students. It is a healthy, stimulating approach to learning.

I am truly grateful to have this program and the support provided to teach our multilingual learners in Eatontown, New Jersey.” -Brooke Mindnich

We’re grateful to Brooke, and to all GrapeSEED teachers and students for making the most of the GrapeSEED curriculum. Are you ready to get your English Language Learner teachers and students started with GrapeSEED? Just click here.

Smiles, Snacks, And Sanity A Self-Care Guide for Teachers

February 3, 2026
If you’re an elementary teacher working with multilingual learners, you already know your work is full of heart, hustle, and highlighters. But let’s be honest—supporting language learners takes a lot of energy. That’s why self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s a must. You’re juggling language development, academic growth, cultural connection, and emotional support. And while your students are growing every day, you need time to recharge, too. Here’s a quick self-care recipe to keep your cup full: 🧡 Smiles: Find Joy in the Little Things Celebrate the small wins: a new vocabulary word, a student’s laugh, a kind moment. Write one highlight on a sticky note each day. It’s a mood booster—and a reminder that you’re making a difference. 🍎 Snacks: Fuel Your Body (and Soul) Don’t skip lunch! Keep a stash of healthy snacks (and maybe a treat or two) nearby. Food is fuel, and sometimes chocolate is emotional first aid. 🧠 Sanity: Protect Your Peace Say no to that extra committee if you’re overwhelmed. Take 5 minutes to breathe or stretch between lessons. Step outside during a break of any kind, even for just a second or two. Talk to someone who “gets it”—sharing helps lighten the load. You Matter Your students need you AND they also need you to be okay. When you take care of yourself, you’re showing them how to care for themselves, too. So go ahead, teacher: smile, snack, and protect your sanity. You can’t do it all , but you CAN do a lot more when you’re well. At GrapeSEED English for Children, we value teachers and work to make certain that those using our curriculum feel supported. With a personal Professional Learning Specialist that teaches can communicate with anytime, a teacher portal, on-demand PDs and so much more, we’ve got our teachers covered! Ready to learn more about getting started with GrapeSEED in YOUR classroom? Just click here for more information.

New Year, Clearer Path: Decluttering for Stronger Language Learning

January 20, 2026
January is the season of decluttering, but in schools, it’s about clearing space for what truly matters! This month’s blog explores how thoughtful organization supports multilingual learners and why strong language systems are worth keeping. A little clarity now can create momentum that lasts all year… and beyond!

Midyear Glow-Up: Refreshing Routines in Your Classroom!

December 11, 2025
The new year is a perfect time for reflection and renewal—not just for us, but for our students, too. After a long winter break, January offers a natural opportunity to revisit and reinforce classroom routines and procedures, especially in multilingual classrooms where clarity and consistency are key to helping all students feel secure and successful. For multilingual learners, routines are more than just classroom management—they provide language-rich structures that support understanding, reduce anxiety, and foster confidence. Whether students are newcomers or have been learning English for years, a clear and predictable environment helps them focus on learning rather than guessing what’s expected. Start the month by gently reviewing procedures: entering the classroom, transitioning between activities, participating in group work, asking for help, and using classroom materials. Model each step and invite students to demonstrate, using visuals, gestures, and multilingual supports when possible. Pair verbal directions with pictures or sentence stems to help students connect words with actions. This not only aids comprehension, it builds community and shared responsibility. Remember, reviewing routines isn’t about enforcing rules—it’s about resetting the tone for a peaceful, productive, and joyful classroom. Make space for students to share what helps them learn best and celebrate the positive habits they already bring with them. By investing time in January to revisit expectations with warmth and intention, you're setting the stage for a second half of the school year filled with growth, laughter, and learning—for every student, in every language.

Meet AI, Your New Teaching Assistant!

December 2, 2025
In today’s classrooms, elementary school teachers juggle countless responsibilities—planning engaging lessons, managing behavior, communicating with families, and differentiating instruction for every learner. Fortunately, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening up a world of support tools that can help educators reclaim valuable time while still meeting the diverse needs of their students. Lesson Planning, Simplified AI tools and other educator-focused platforms can generate customized, standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes. Whether you're teaching reading comprehension, performing science experiments, or developing math centers, AI can help you brainstorm activities, create differentiated tasks, and suggest formative assessments—all tailored to your students’ grade level and learning goals. Behavior Intervention Plans Made Easier Creating thoughtful, individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) often requires collaboration and time that’s hard to find. With the right prompts, AI can assist by generating plan templates, suggesting positive reinforcement strategies, and even helping you write goal-specific language that’s clear and professional. This allows for quicker implementation and better support for student growth. Boosting Communication with Families Need to send home a weekly newsletter, a classroom update, or a quick note in family-friendly language? AI can help you write clear, respectful, and engaging messages in seconds—and even translate them into multiple languages. This promotes stronger school-home connections without adding to your workload. More Than Just Words AI isn’t just about writing. It can generate visual aids, adapt texts for different reading levels, offer creative ideas for classroom themes, or even draft rubrics and anchor charts. When used responsibly, AI becomes a teaching assistant in your pocket—offering fresh ideas and saving you time. A Word of Caution—and Empowerment AI isn’t a magic wand, and it doesn’t replace the care, creativity, and wisdom that teachers bring to the classroom. But when used thoughtfully, it can remove some of the mental load and help you focus on what matters most: building relationships, inspiring learners, and making a lasting impact. AI can be a game-changing tool for educators—not by replacing the human touch, but by enhancing it. With the right approach, you can use AI to create, communicate, and collaborate more efficiently—without sacrificing quality. Just as AI can support teachers in the classroom, GrapeSEED does the same. From intentionally designed lesson plans to materials at your fingertips, to a results driven, joy filled curriculum for your language learner students, GrapeSEED has it all. Click here to learn more !
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