Grand Pacheco

The teaching profession offers much more than just a job in the classroom. After nearly three decades in education, I have experienced the flexibility of teaching in terms of professional growth, personal pathways and advancement. I am passionate about teaching students in the classroom. At the same time, I am dedicated to education as a whole – supporting fellow educators, contributing to the profession and pursuing my own interests. You do not have to be in education long to begin exploring these pathways. What matters is knowing your expertise, passions and goals, and then intentionally searching for roles that align...

In Part 1 of this article last year, I explored the profile and practices of culturally responsive school leaders working in US public schools with increasing numbers of immigrant students. These leaders engage in critical reflection and culturally responsive instructional leadership. They value bilingualism, amplifying student voices and fostering family engagement – practices that provide practical strategies for making schools more inclusive. In this continuation, I will discuss additional key leadership practices that champion for an inclusive school environment that supports teaching, learning and school culture. A new theme that emerges in Part 2 is the recognition that while...

Imagine being in a classroom full of teenagers who are learning your academic content and, at the same time, building both basic and academic conversation skills. Some of your learners are born English speakers, some have been learning English for several years, and others are newcomers. This creates a group of students who demonstrate a wide range of language proficiencies – both in basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) and in cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) (Cummins, 2008). How, then, do you become a facilitator who helps students strengthen their speaking skills while ensuring they engage deeply with academic content? In...

In today’s increasingly diverse global society, schools serve as places for cultural exchange and understanding. These educational spaces offer an opportunity to embrace immigrant contributions and leverage their strengths for collective growth. As an educational leader committed to equity and inclusion, I conducted a study as part of my doctoral research to better understand the practices of culturally responsive and transformative school leaders. I analysed the experiences of secondary principals (grades 6–12) working with immigrant communities. In this article, immigrants include first-generation (foreign-born) and second-generation (native-born) students with at least one immigrant parent, whether documented or undocumented. This is a...

Writing has always been among the most challenging language domains for secondary students in Grades 6 through to Grade 12. Unlike speaking, listening or reading, writing requires a complex set of skills and a multistep process. Students must plan their writing and draft an initial version, revise it multiple times and then carefully edit it to create a polished final piece. Each step requires unique skills and places different demands on students’ speaking, listening, reading and writing abilities. Writing can feel overwhelming for many students in their L1, especially for those with learning differences. When learning English, extra challenges like...

The article covers upskilling and developing professionally to meet the needs of changing teaching situations and learner needs.