Equity is giving students what they need so that they can be the most successful in my classroom.  My students currently don’t receive that because I am only one person and my “small group” third grade reading class has grown to almost twenty students who are all at varying levels of English acquisition. . In that class, I have students that are almost ready to return to their classrooms because of their progress this year and I also currently have five students who are Newcomers and speak very little English. Those students speak Portuguese, Spanish, French and Lingala. 

In order for me to create more equity in my classroom, I need to continue to advocate for more experienced and trained staff members to assist me. While I greatly appreciate any and all assistance, I need another Teacher of Multilingual Learners. Teaching, assessing, grading and carrying on all of the other duties of a teacher for almost fifty students has become a very daunting and exhausting task for only me.  Next year I am already going to be starting with close to sixty students. As of yesterday afternoon, another teacher position was finally posted but it is difficult to remain hopeful when it is tough to find individuals with the endorsement that is necessary. If you know of anyone looking for a new adventure, I’m happy to share my years of experience and knowledge with anyone who is interested and who is willing to work hard daily for what is best and right for these students each and every day.