Aliyah Ramos is an English Language (EL) Tutor at Mayberry Elementary School who works with students in kindergarten through 5th grade. She helps students build confidence in their English skills and ensure language is not a barrier to their learning.
“Her work is invaluable because we have such a high Spanish speaking population,” explained Mayberry Principal Angela Hewins. “She is everywhere. She's just that invaluable piece of our community that we would not be able to achieve the things that we do with this population if we didn't have her.”
Ramos pulls groups out of their classroom for targeted English learning. She also works with her students in their own classrooms, so they can have direct access to the learning happening in the moment.
Hewins explained, “They don’t have to have modified work because they are capable. It’s just that language barrier that they have and she is the bridge to help them access that learning.”
Ramos works closely with the other EL tutors and teachers at Mayberry to ensure students have what they need. Beyond her day-to-day work, she’ll help interpret for families during parent/teacher conferences and she’ll even go on field trips with her students to ensure there is no language barrier on the trip.
“Yes, she has a set schedule and she has a routine, but things are constantly changing here. So, she is easy to go to and say, ‘Can you do this? Can you pivot this way? Can you do that?’” said Lisa Delgrego, EL Teacher at Mayberry. “She’s wonderful with the kids and everybody loves having her in their classroom.”
An East Hartford graduate herself with family still attending EHPS, Ramos builds relationships with ease with her students and their families.
Principal Hewins said, “All of the students adore her and she has this amazing connection with all of them. She just has great relationships with all of the staff, all the teachers, and the families.”
Learn more about Aliyah Ramos in the Q&A below.
How long have you been in your role and what drew you to this position?
Ramos: I've been here for three years. I grew up in East Hartford, so I always had a lot of friends and family members that were part of the EL team. So, I just always wanted to be that person, that extra person to help somebody.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
Ramos: Day-to-day basis would be pushing into classrooms. I work with small groups, whatever they're working on in class. And then I also pull out groups. So, we just work on day-to-day basics skills like reading, writing, listening, speaking.
You work with students with varying levels of English abilities. How do you balance that?
Ramos: I work with all EL students. New arrivals or just they've been here for a couple of years, I work with them as well. It's a bit challenging because every student is different. One student learns at a lower pace or at a lower level than other kids. But we honestly just try to modify what they're learning. I try to, you know, break it down for them and try to guide them through it to see if they understand it.
What do you think it is about you that makes you well suited for this role?
Ramos: I feel like I get along with the kids very well. I have a lot of kids I've built a connection with, so they're always coming up to me, telling me random little things, just being that person they can come up to.
What does it feel like to see your students improve and use what you’re teaching them in their conversations and classroom learning?
Ramos: It makes me feel really proud of them. They are building that confidence to actually say things in English now. And even just remembering little things that they didn't remember a couple weeks ago, just seeing that little click.
What do you love most about your job?
Ramos: I love building that connection with the kids, being that safe place for them. And, as well, just seeing how much they're growing. Coming here, knowing just Spanish and then coming into the school and actually learning English and being able to speak to somebody in English.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.