Katie Brown

Brown was hired at Shuksan Middle School as a language arts teacher in September 2003. For the last two years Brown has been the ELL specialist at Shuksan. She supports students who are learning English and teachers in their instruction for English language learners. The ELL specialist position was created two years ago to better support students, families and staff. Brown has facilitated a school-wide focus on Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP). As the ELL specialist, Katie has implemented very successful ELL family nights where families once hidden in shadows can build community – even across many different languages. In two short years, she has built a program that is admired and respected across her district. (Bellinghamschools.org).

I think that Katie’s work is very impressive. It makes me so happy that someone has worked hard to make a difference in her school. I wish there were more teachers like her. She should be an inspiration to all teachers and teacher candidates. 

I feel like ELL and ELA are very connected. In order to understand ELA, one has to be able to speak and understand the English language to be able to be successful in an ELA class. I think ELA and ELL teachers should cooperate in order to make students feel successful and in our classrooms. WE should develop relationships with our students in order to understand what they need and how to help them.

How did you come up with the idea for the family night?

How is it helping the families specifically?