Milford student advocates for English Learners

MILFORD, Del. – Milford’s Michelle Perez, a 17-year-old, is calling on educators to make necessary changes for thousands of students struggling with a new language.

“I can give a voice to those who can’t,” said Perez.

This Milford High School student was recently hand picked by Governor John Carney to help identify the problems English Learners face in Delaware schools.

“She lends a voice to the students and she’s experienced EL education, so she has first hand experience,” said Rene Diaz, assistant principal at Milford High School.

Perez says there are not enough teachers willing to support these students.

“They’re not as much help as I would say for them for English Learners since they in their belief I only came here to teach my field,” said Perez.

On the other hand, some educators believe there simply aren’t enough resources to support this growing population.

“A lot of times it’s not that the teacher doesn’t want to help, I think often times the teacher doesn’t know how to help,” said Diaz.

Although Perez is making great strides, she’s had to overcome her fair share of challenges like when her brother and father got sent back to their home country.

“They got arrested and from there they got deported,” said Perez.

“So, at that time my mom thought that she didn’t have enough support, so what she decided was to go back to Guatemala,” said Perez.

It is her story that educators believe will help take education in Delaware to the next level.

Perez will serve the Governor’s Advisory Council for English Learners for the next two years.

Within the next few months, she will work closely with teachers to come up with new solutions that will be presented to the governor and help improve education for these students.