Each year at Ridge Park Charter Academy, Beth Graham turns an unfamiliar surrounding into a warm, welcoming environment for English language learners.
Graham has helped work through challenges and find the unique strengths of each of her students for nearly 20 years as an English Learner (EL) teacher at Ridge Park. It is a routine she loves, and was honored for as an Excellence in Teaching winner as part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA) Excellence Awards for the 2022-23 school year.
An annual event made that school year especially memorable for Graham. Ridge Park, which has outperformed the district for 14 years, holds a World Expo that always resonates with her as an EL teacher by celebrating all the different countries and cultures that make up the school.
More than 100 students participated in the Parade of Nations along with their parents, grandparents, and siblings, donning clothing that reflected their countries. As usual, students cheered for their classmates as they walked by.
But this past year, the parade was capped by group dance. It was an infectious scene, as kindergartners to eighth graders, boys and girls, all came together to learn a flash-mob-style dance.
It also encapsulated what Graham loves about Ridge Park and her job.
“The moment of seeing kids of all ages joyfully participating in the group dance, some in school clothes and some in various types of cultural clothing, and interwoven with parents, grandparents, teachers … it was a really special moment,” Graham said. “It was truly a chance to see everyone shine and appreciate how our differences make us stronger.”
Keep up the excellent work, Mrs. Graham!
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About Ridge Park Charter Academy
Ridge Park Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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