The Office of Language, Culture and Equity at the Colorado Department of Education announced the selection of Carol Pollard as the 2011 LCE Educator of the Year.Pollard is an English language development coordinator for Harrison School District Two in Colorado Springs. Pollard started as a paraprofessional in the English as a Second Language program for Harrison and decided later to pursue a teaching career. She completed her teacher training in one year at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Pollard taught in a general education classroom for a couple of years before she was recruited to teach ESL in the same classroom she had worked as a paraprofessional. While raising her son, she worked part-time as a consultant for the English Language Development program and was a substitute teacher, a Spanish teacher and library teacher. In 2000 she was hired as the English language development coordinator for Harrison School District Two.
“We are very proud of Carol and her accomplishments within our district,” said Dan Snowberger, executive director of schools for Harrison School District Two. “Harrison students continue to exceed state averages for language acquisition as measured by CELA (Colorado English Language Acquisition Proficiency Assessment) as a result of her leadership, support of building principals and knowledge. This recognition is well-deserved and we are proud to have one example of ‘excellence’ within the state of Colorado.”
In addition to coordinating the ELD program for Harrison for the past 10 years, Pollard has also helped develop the ESL Certification Program for the CU’s Department of Education in Colorado Springs, contributed as an active member of the Pikes Peak ESL Directors’ Group, served on the Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families Initiative, and is a member of the Colorado Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Pollard also serves as a member of the Parent Advisory Team at her son’s school and of the Language, Culture and Equity Advisory Committee for the Colorado Department of Education.
“Ms. Pollard’s enthusiasm and passion for culturally and linguistically diverse students and their families is noteworthy,” said CDE Assistant Commissioner Barbara Medina. “She is a true leader in her district and in the Pikes Peak region. She continually advocates with school and district administrators for programming that best serves the culturally and linguistically diverse population that Harrison has, and prepares staff to meet the needs of these students. Since Ms. Pollard has been in her current position, Harrison has seen significant growth with their English learners, as well as meeting their accountability targets. Ms. Pollard also serves as a mentor to other regional ELA coordinators and was instrumental in the creation of the Pikes Peak ESL Director’s Group. Her never-ending advocacy and willingness to go the extra mile is commendable.”
The LCE Educator of the Year award is in its fourth year. Districts from around the state nominate educators who they feel are deserving of this award. The Language Culture and Equity Office, along with its advisory council, review the nominees and make the selection.
