Reading is the Key

Araceli Henline’s journey is all about how to help her students. An English Language Learner (ELL) teacher with 22 years of experience, working with students with all levels of English is her passion. From newcomers with almost no English to those who are learning to expand their grasp of English grammar and vocabulary, Henline is there for them all. Born in Texas and raised in Colorado and part of a Spanish speaking family, she feels that “being an ELL student myself, (students) need teachers who are like them to empathize with them. They need to be challenged by someone who understands yet can show rising above the barriers of language to become a positive contributor to our community is possible.” Outside of teaching, she loves the outdoors, which she learned to appreciate growing up in Denver. Along with hiking, camping, and fishing, she runs half marathons and is considering running a full marathon in the future. She is happily married with 2 children and enjoys the support that her family gives her.

Henline is enrolled in Hood College's M.S. in Reading Specialization program, which certifies teachers to become reading/literacy specialists, a position which works with students, teachers, and administration to help students learn to read, write, and comprehend. She is already certified as elementary and ELL teacher but wants more for herself and her students. Now in her 6th year teaching at Frederick County Public Schools’ Hillcrest Elementary, a Title I school with a high ELL population, she doesn’t have any plans to leave the classroom soon, but “would consider becoming a reading interventionist with a similar population of ELLs because that is where my heart is.” More important for her is to “prepare my students to become better readers as I become more knowledgeable with this specialization. Reading is so important. I realize the success of my ELL students greatly depends on their ability to not only speak the English language, but to be strong readers and writers. They come to us five to seven years behind, and we need to catch them up with their peers and level the playing field. I realize that reading is a vehicle to my students’ success in the future. It’s exciting to implement the reading strategies I learn at Hood with my students now.”

Heline is enjoying her time at Hood. While teaching full time, having a family, and being in classes is challenging, she enjoys the small classes and knowledgeable professors. As she gets ready to do her clinical experience this summer, working with elementary and secondary students over the break, she is using everything she learned through the program. She will earn her certification next year but is already using what she has learned to help her students. We wish her all the best!