The Refugee Project Part Two: A New Story

February 2nd, 2026

‘Your story is what you have.’ -Michelle Obama

While earning my teaching degree many moons ago, I concurrently worked as a ‘Toddler Room’ teacher at a daycare center in my community as a form of income. After graduating, I’ve gone on to teach Kindergarten for over two decades. Needless to say, I have encountered scores of people encountering ‘firsts’. The first time dropping a child off to be cared for by new people, the first time being away from mom or dad, and so much more.

This picture was taken during our very first lesson. About 12 women and children attended children attended that session.

But this was going to be quite different. Teaching newly arrived refugee women and children to speak English for the first time? Wow! Their ‘firsts’ were new territory for me. Of course I had read articles, watched a few interviews, and had heard tales; however, being in the midst of their experience was going to be something I had not encountered. In their home country, these women had not experienced many things that come so naturally here in the US, one of them being attending school. The women and their children that I would be working with would be learning in a ‘formal’ setting (albeit, in their own apartment building ) for the very first time. They would be led in lessons (by another woman, no less!) for the first time. They would be taking what we in education call ‘academic risks’ for the first time. For almost all of them, they would be seeing their own name in print with our English alphabet for the first time. While I understood that these new students of mine had never once attended school in their home country and had never learned to read in their spoken language, I knew that they weren’t here as blank slates.

No, quite the contrary. Their lives were overflowing with stories. Stories of persevering, stories of strength, stories of overcoming obstacles that we cannot fathom.

On that very first day of our English class, we gathered up…me, the moms, and their kids…and the lesson began. I was ready and pulled out all the stops that are appropriate to pull out on the very first lesson for multi-lingual learners; the top-notch curriculum and its vibrant teaching materials, the meaningful comprehensible input, the gestures, the facial expressions, the Total Physical Response, the slow & measured pace, the repetition, the immediate positive feedback. My ‘students’ who overtime became my friends, brought what they had: their perseverance, their strength, and their grit. Were they unsure, timid, excited? Of course! But they soared. And they came back the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that, each time showing growth, laughing with robust joy while witnessing a new story begin to unfold for themselves and their peers.

Sometimes our students are precocious children from around the corner who have been confident English speakers, readers, and writers since they were in preschool. Other times, they are people from across the world who might appear timid and uncertain at first. Either way, we must remember that there are no blank slates. Everyone… everyone …comes with a story and, like my new students & friends, is ready for the next one to begin.

Are you ready to learn how  GrapeSEED can help you provide a new story for your multilingual learners? Click the contact us link below!

Interested in learning more about our refugee class?

Be sure to check out the upcoming articles in this five-part series!

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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