U-46 ELL director to serve as advisor to Madison's Teaching and Learning Transition Team

Elgin – School District U-46 Director of ELL Programs Wilma Valero has been selected to serve on an eight-member Teaching and Learning Transition Team tasked with advising Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham. The group was constructed as part of an entry plan for Cheatham, who began as Superintendent of the Madison, Wisconsin school district on April 1. Wilma and the team are preparing a report of recommendations regarding educational strategies after assessing the district's ELL program.

“I am honored to share the best practices of U-46 Dual Language and ELL services with the Madison Metropolitan School District,” said Valero. “As educators, it is our responsibility to share our knowledge with others and I look forward to learning from the team as well. I am hopeful that my background in ELL and our experiences growing the program at U-46 will help Superintendent Cheatham.”

Valero joined U-46 in 1990 and has spearheaded a successful Dual Language program that other school districts strive to emulate. Last year, the Two-Way California Association of Bilingual Education named U-46 a “District of Distinction” for its leadership and commitment to the advancement of Two-Way Immersion and World Languages Programs.

“Wilma Valero is known for her renowned work. Collaborating with other districts allows us to learn from each other and continue to improve our own program,” said Superintendent Dr. José M. Torres.

“We are fortunate to have access to national experts with a wide range of expertise from standards based instruction and leadership development, to bilingual and special education, to family and community involvement,” Cheatham said. “This team will help to deepen and strengthen my ongoing understanding of the strengths and challenges of our district. Their national perspective, coupled with the local perspective shared by principals, staff, parents and community members, will support us in narrowing our focus to only the most high leverage strategies for ensuring every student is college and career ready.”