WEST MIFFLIN, Pa.; March 3, 2025 — The West Mifflin Area School District is no different than school districts across the nation that have experienced a significant rise in the number of ESL/ELL (English as a Second Language) students over the past 5-6 years. What does differentiate WMASD from some others, though, is how the district has adapted and grown its ESL program into the success it has become.
Stacee Rutherford became the district’s lead ESL educator six years ago and directs the ESL programming. When Rutherford moved into the role, she said there were 20-25 ESL students and two teachers. Today there are 122 ESL students and three teachers - Maranda Kotchman is the ESL teacher at the elementary level and Kennedy Figas teaches at the middle school.
“There’s definitely been a growth spurt over the past three years in particular,” Rutherford said. “People are moving into West Mifflin because they have family here or nearby. Most of new students have been high school students.”
More than 70 of West Mifflin Area’s 122 ESL students are enrolled at the high school. The students have matriculated to the district from across the globe, including: Afghanistan, Bhutan, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, Somalia, Syria and Turkey.
Rutherford said the primary challenge in working with the ESL students is their lack of English basics, but they are eager to learn. Students can use translators or translating ear buds as well Google translate or the Translive app to assist in learning English and breaking down the language barriers.
“Some of the students have never been in a classroom before,” Rutherford stated. “Some of them don’t know how to hold a pencil or pen and all the traditions and routines that are part of a typical school day when they first get to us. But, we have seen growth academically and so much progress. They ask, ‘what do I need to do?’ They want approval and want to learn. “
Most of the district’s ESL students will have 60-90 minutes of daily classroom ESL work, which includes one period of ESL English and 1-2 periods of ESL support.
“During the support periods we will review schoolwork and grades with the students, help them with interviewing skills, talk about graduation, caps and gowns, a wide range of things,” Rutherford stated.
The high school added an ESL History class this year and plans to add an ESL Mathematics course next year. Rutherford is hopeful an ESL Science class is on the near horizon as well. “Most of the students haven’t used a calculator, studied multiplication and division (when starting at WM),” Rutherford said of the need for an ESL Math course.
Mujeeb Ayubi is a 10th grade student and is in his second year in the district’s ESL program. Born in Mazar, Afghanistan, Mujeeb and his family moved to Pittsburgh in 2022 and then to West Mifflin prior to the 2023-24 school year. He has an older sister, Marhaba, who also is a West Mifflin student and part of the ESL program.
Mujeeb is in his second year taking ESL English and he’s also enrolled in Chemistry, Materials Science and World History. He didn’t know any English prior to moving to the United States but his parents did.
“I like to be here, in this class,” Mujeeb said of the support period for ESL students. “I can get help with my classes; we all help each other. Mrs. R (Rutherford) is the nicest teacher I’ve ever had. Everyone is nice to me.”
Mujeeb said he and the ESL students help each other with schoolwork. Outside of school, they will get together to play video games or soccer or have snowball fights. Mujeeb was a member of the West Mifflin boys soccer team as a freshman.
Some of the ESL students are observing Ramadan, which began the evening of February 28 and goes through March 29. Mujeeb was among the ESL students who put together a Ramadan display which is in the main lobby of the high school.
Rutherford said that many of the ESL students desire to attend college. “We encourage them to be sure to look at CCAC,” she said. “The students are interested in medicine, possibly being a nurse, as well as automotive technology. I’ve found that they want to help people.”
Since becoming part of the West Mifflin Area community, Mujeeb has his sights set on enrolling at the Steel Center for Career and Technical Education next year and his career path.
“I plan to go to Steel Center to become a mechanic and then open my own business to work on cars,” he stated.
An important member of the district’s ESL team is Dipen Chhetri, who works in Allegheny County’s Office of Children Youth and Families. Chhetri has a vital role in helping navigate the language barrier and working with the families of the ESL students. He makes home visits and helps bridge the gap with parents and other family members to make sure they are aware of available resources, including ESL programs for adults, Literacy Pittsburgh, Steel Center, SHIM and RISE. Dipen also assists family members with job searches.
“The parents rely on their students and their siblings for information and sometimes the students may not communicate everything they should be about school, so I help fill in the gaps,” Chhetri said. “We also have some ESL students who are enrolled in the district’s Cyber Academy and I’ll visit with students and parents about trying to have them attend classes in-person rather than online.”
“Connecting (ESL) families with resources is a very important part of what we do,” Rutherford commented. “’What are their needs?’ We will have listening, Q&A sessions (one was held at Clara Barton Elementary in February). We’re trying to help the students understand school expectations and educate them for the future.
“Our administration and staff have been very helpful and accommodating for the students and the growth of the ESL population in the district,” she added. “We’re on the same page – we want them to be successful. We’ve created appropriate classes and are always trying to make the program better.”