I Wish I Had Become an ESL Teacher Sooner

Missy Testerman is a K-8 English as a second language (ESL) teacher in Rogersville, TN. Ms. Testerman served as a first and second grade teacher for three decades before adding an ESL endorsement three years ago through her state's Grow Your Own initiative. Ms. Testerman is the 2024 National Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Tennessee Teacher of the Year.

In this Colorín Colorado interview, Ms. Testerman reflects on the joy she has found in teaching ELLs and why she wished she had started sooner.

This video is part of our Colorín Colorado Meet the Expert interview with Ms. Testerman.

Transcript

My principal actually came to me around 15 years ago when Tennessee mandated that each system must have, if they had English language learners must have a specifically endorsed English language teacher. And at the time I had a child playing middle school sports and a young child much younger than that, and I didn't feel like I had the time to devote to that. But if I'd had any idea just how much joy there is in teaching English language learners, I would go back 15 years ago or more, maybe it was 20 years, and do this.

There is so much joy associated with teaching English language learners and not just seeing them learn new things and seeing them adapt to our community, but also just the appreciation that their families exhibit. I tell everyone that no matter how many times I goof up and they are so incredibly kind to me. It is always okay and they're just fabulous to work with.