Sherman ISD Building Bearcats Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 16

Class Brings Family Closer
When Rebecca was in the fourth grade, her
mom would join her at the kitchen table after
school for homework. But her mom’s role at
the table was far more than you would think:
Mom sat alongside Rebecca because she had
her own homework to do. As a student in the
Grayson College Adult Education and Literacy
program, Mom would study for her English as
a Second Language (ESL) class, a free course
offered by Grayson College at Sherman ISD’s
Washington Elementary.
“The story of Rebecca and her mother doing
homework together embodies what we want
the English/ESL classes to do for our families,”
said Stephanie Mexia-Lippard, Coordinator of
Bilingual Education and ESL at Sherman ISD.
“It’s such a powerful visual of how a simple class
transcends so many things, and not only brings a
family closer together, but makes the connection
between school and home stronger.”
Sherman ISD partnered with Grayson College in
the fall of 2015 to provide adult classroom space.
Washington Elementary School was selected as
an ideal location for local residents, who could
walk to the evening classes three days a week.
Rebecca’s mom took the English/ESL class that
first year.
“This type of programming is so important for
our families,” Stephanie said. “So many parents
have never had the educational opportunities
that their children have, and educating the whole
family benefits the whole community.”
When the program opened, it was a revitalization
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of a former class that was closed several years ago.
Sherman ISD had a desire to see the program return,
and thanks to generous funding provided by the
Texas Workforce Commission, classes have resumed
and are free to the community, not just parents of
Sherman ISD students.
Grayson College has been focused on growing
ESL offerings. “During the past year, we’ve worked
with Sherman ISD and other community partners
to expand our locations and class availability,” says
Anna Hicks, Grayson College Director of Career
Pathways and Initiatives Continuing Education.
Future plans for the English/ESL partnership
between Sherman ISD and Grayson College
include opening an Adult GED class and possibly a
citizenship class. To learn more about the English/
ESL and GED classes currently offered or to enroll in
a class, visit the Grayson College website at
www.grayson.edu/programs-and-majors/adult-
education-ged.html.
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