Avondale School District announces ELL Family Liaison

Dr. Kathy Jurado addresses a group of parents during an informational meeting at Avondale High School

Seeing a dramatic increase in the number of English Language Learners (ELL) enrolling in Avondale School District schools, the district has established a new staff position to help families of children who struggle academically because of language obstacles. The position, ELL Newcomer Family Liaison, is being filled by Dr. Kathy Jurado who comes to Avondale with a background in language and culture education as well as relevant practical experience. Jurado holds a PhD in American Culture from University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in World Literature and Cultural Studies from University of California Santa Cruz. Her career focus has been in the academic setting working mostly with adult learners but Avondale School District administrators are confident that she possesses the skill set to support students in Kindergarten through 12th grade by supporting their families.

“Dr. Jurado’s experiences and education are a match for what we’re looking for to assist our ELL families so that their children can have the same school experience that all students have,” said Avondale Superintendent, Dr. James Schwarz. “From her depth of knowledge of culture and language and her experience with learners from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds she will create opportunities for our families to engage in their child’s education and improve their child’s chances for academic success,” he added.

Jurado already has myriad ideas of ways to increase parent engagement including monthly meetings to provide information and parent-to-parent networking opportunities, informal gatherings built around personal interests and hobbies as a way to connect parents, and working with district personnel to enhance current communication efforts. Beyond engaging parents in the district, she also hopes to connect families to community groups and resources specific to ethnicity. She understands that for families to feel connected at school, they must also have some connectivity to their community.

To that end, Jurado has been working to build relationships in the community with those serving diverse populations through a school or community organization. She hopes her new relationships will translate to opportunities for resource and idea sharing to best serve the families she is working with. Her role, as she sees it, is to guide and mentor her families; to help remove obstacles that may preclude their success or their children’s success; to increase their comfort level in the community and in school; and as she said, “to make a difference in their lives”.