KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Teachers at a Knox County school are learning Spanish to better communicate with their students. This comes after school leaders noticed an increase in Hispanic enrollment, and school leaders began working to overcome language barriers between teachers, students and parents.
According to Joann Gardner, principal of Northwest Middle School, Hispanic enrollment has doubled in the last two years. According to data from NICHE, a company that collects data about communities across the U.S., the school is ranked number six as the most diverse middle school in the state.
At the middle school, teachers and administrators are learning the basics of Spanish. Joe Hassell has worked at the school for seven years. Now, he's learning Spanish to meet a need at his school.
"The biggest need when our kids come to us is connection," said Hassell. "We're about 40% Hispanics."
Gardner, said because of the language barrier, many educators struggle to communicate directly with their students and parents.
"The lack of communication was hurting us and them," Gardner said.
Through a 10-week program teachers can now learn basic educational Spanish phrases like "I need to speak with your parents," or in Spanish, "Necesito hablar con tus padres." The program is offered by the Tennessee Language Center, which is an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service.
"It really put things in perspective on how are kids feel daily," Gardner said.
The Spanish classes are taught online by what they call a "profesora," a teacher.
Northwest Middle School is the first Knox County school to offer the course to teachers. School leaders worry students will fall behind if they can't communicate with them directly.
Teachers and administrators plan to complete the course in a few weeks. By the end of program they will be able to pronounce and spell their names, discuss schedules and events, provide basic instructions, communicate expectations, encourage students and express emotions.