Maureen Padilla is an English as a second language, or ESL specialist at Groves Middle School in the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District.
The immigrant students moving into the district represent the fastest growing segment of PN-G ISD’s population.
Padilla says, “I’ve been here for over five years at this particular campus and when I initially started, we now have four times the amount from five years ago.”
Padilla is opening the window of opportunity by not only teaching the students English, but also boosting their self-esteem.