This summer, the halls and classrooms of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church not only echoed with the sounds of hymns and Bible readings, but also with cultural bridge construction.
This building project involved no jackhammers or backhoes. Instead, students worked one on one with Hispanic migrant children to fill in the learning gap that has caused some to fall behind in their education.
“The goal of the Migrant Education Program is to enrich the education of migrant children and to motivate them to do great things in their future,” said Maria Pestalardo, Language and Cultural Resource Center program coordinator.
“My experience in MEP confirmed my goals to work with children, teaching English as a Second Language. I want to help eliminate the language barrier to make our schools and our communities more hospitable to the diversifying population,” junior Emily Lance said.
Now in its sixth year, the MEP – which is made possible by federal No Child Left Behind support – takes place in the summer when the largest migrant population can be found in Northeast Tennessee.
“Throughout the year, migrant families move from one place to another,” Pestalardo said. “When they follow crops, the children are force to change schools. They are very smart and well-mannered, but they fall behind in their education.”
Youths from Greene, Unicoi and Washington counties participated. The 106 participants ranged in age from 3 to 17.
“Because of the language barrier, and moving from one place to another, the children fall behind,” Pestalardo said “It’s the program’s mission to help the children to overcome difficulties and to meet the same high standard that other school children meet.”
Throughout the year, two LCRC recruiters, almost 10 during the summer, go through the region’s Hispanic neighborhoodsto find eligible, low-income children.
“I love to visit the families and help them out in the fields,” Pestalardo said. The LCRC works closely with each family. ETSU students, faculty and community volunteers do everything from translating important documents to motivating the parents to read to their children.
Lance has volunteered with MEP for two years. “I feel great about my participation, because I know I have made a permanent, positive difference in the lives of the children I worked with,” she said.
The program’s complex curriculum, includes social studies, mathematics, science, English as a Second Language, reading, arts and crafts and field trips to area attractions.
For Lance, MEP’s enjoyable curriculum is steadfast. “MEP is a demanding program that takes a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” she said.
This summer, the children went on a field trip to Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport. “We saw all of the animals. We laughed and had a great time. We also walked to the top of the mountain,” ETSU senior Bentley Hively said. “I was so proud of them all. One girl named Katia hiked barefoot up the mountain because that was how she walked around her village at home. So I took my shoes off too and we finished the hike together. It was so much fun. I really miss those guys a lot.”
Pestalardo describes work-ing with the children as a blessing. “The children were all together, helping each other … Their happiness is contagious. Their happiness is a motivation for us to work,” she said.
Some ETSU volunteers had to be turned away. The LCRC only allows two or three volunteers per classroom. “The whole point of the program is to have a one-on-one situation,” Pestalardo said. “Having too many volunteers can make it difficult for the children to learn.”
The program attracts students from all majors and interests. “MEP is not just for Spanish majors. It is also for nursing, education, arts, and anyone else. It’s also about making a place for these children to come, to be accepted, learn and to teach,” Hively said. “It teaches us about their culture, their lives and ourselves.”
ETSU students teach, assist teachers, chaperone and clean. “The ETSU volunteers are extremely proactive,” Pestalardo said, “They are all like little coordinators.”
The MEP benefits all participatants.
“Like any children you work with, you worry about them and hope that you have made enough influence on them that they will think before they make decisions for the future,” Hively said.
Lance added, “It [MEP] is sometimes hectic and even a little frustrating. Beyond that, participating in MEP is an amazing way to serve the community, as well as a richly satisfying way to learn more about yourself and the role you can play in making the world around you a better place.

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