Role of the ESL Teacher
Role of ESL Teacher: The program offered by the Whitehall-Coplay School District is English Language Development (ELD) and is delivered by an ESL teacher. The ESL teacher provides instruction to facilitate the development and attainment of English language proficiency whose native or first language is not English. English Learners (ELs) are supported by their ESL teachers in the ELD and content classes.
The District’s ESL programs are rigorous, student-centered, and research-based. This combination best promotes academic literacy. The curriculum is aligned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s English Language Development (ELD) Standards and Pennsylvania’s Core Standards (PACS).
To effectively teach language through academic content, ESL teachers and classroom teachers work and plan together. Collaboration between ESL and classroom teachers is one of the best ways to serve ELs.
ESL Staff
Hana Nanoah
Email: nanoahh@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Gockley Elementary
Grade: K
Department: ESL
My name is Mrs. Nanoah, and I am an ESL Specialist at Gockley Elementary for the Whitehall-Coplay School District. I have worked at Gockley for 18 years. My teaching career began in the Allentown School District, where I served as an ESL Specialist for five years. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Psychology from Cedar Crest College and my Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from DeSales University.
Juliana Jenkins
Email: jenkinsj@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Gockley Elementary
Grade: 1
Department: ESL
My name is Mrs. Jenkins. I am the ESL Specialist for First Grade for the Whitehall-Coplay School District.. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from King’s College. Additionally, I received my Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Wilkes University. I love working with our youngest learners as they navigate learning a new language
Nicole Elskamp
Email: elskampn@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Steckel Elementary
Grade: 2
Department: ESL
Taylor Atiyeh
Email: atiyeht@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Steckel Elementary
Grade: 2 Substitute
Department: ESL
Andrea Campbell
Email: campbella@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Steckel Elementary
Grade: 3
Department: ESL
My name is Andrea Campbell, and I’m proud to serve as an ESL Specialist at Steckel Elementary. My love for this work comes from a lifelong fascination with languages and cultures, as well as my own Puerto Rican heritage, and I believe strongly in celebrating the diversity our students bring to school each day. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English Education from Clarion University, my ESL certification from Kutztown University, and my Master’s in TESOL from DeSales University. What I love most about Whitehall is its welcoming community and rich diversity, which make it such a special place to work and learn. I also value the importance of preserving students’ home languages, since they are the foundation for developing English and building confidence. Above all, I’m passionate about making sure English Learners are recognized and celebrated as exceptional members of our school community.
Courney Grim
Email: grimc@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Zephyr Elementary
Grade: 4
Department: ESL
Hi! My name is Miss Grim, and I’m excited to be the 4th Grade ESL Specialist at Zephyr Elementary. Before coming to Zephyr, I worked as an ESL teacher at Mosser Elementary in Allentown, PA, where I had the chance to work with so many wonderful students.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from King’s College, my Master’s degree in Educational Business Administration, and I also hold a teaching certificate in ESL for grades K-12. I’m looking forward to supporting and learning alongside our students this year!
Abigail Brossman
Email: brossmana@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Zephyr Elementary
Grade: 5
Department: ESL
Hello, my name is Ms. Brossman, and I am the 5th Grade ESOL Specialist at Zephyr Elementary School. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from DeSales University and a Master's Degree in Multicultural Education with a certification in English as a Second Language from Kutztown University. This is my first year teaching in the Whitehall-Coplay School District. Previously, I taught for six years at Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School. My experience includes serving as a classroom teacher for kindergarten through third grade and as an ESOL specialist for grades 4 through 7. I am excited to begin my career in the Whitehall-Coplay School District.
Jennifer Rosko
Email: roskoj@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
Grade: 6-8
Department: ESL
Hello! My name is Mrs. Rosko, and this is my nineteenth year working as an ESL Specialist at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School. I strive to make our classroom a safe, welcoming place where all students are successful. My teaching career began in the Reading School District, where I served as an ESL Specialist for four years.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Kutztown University, my ESL Program Specialist Certificate from Penn State Berks, and my Master’s Degree in Educational Development and Strategies from Wilkes University.
Kayla Snyder
Email: snyderk@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Whitehall-Coplay Middle School
Grade: 6-8
Department: ESL
Hello! My name is Mrs. Snyder, and I am proud to serve as one of the ESL specialists at our middle school. My goal is to ensure each learner feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. For the past ten years, I have worked with English learners from diverse backgrounds, helping them grow in both language and confidence. I began my teaching career in the Allentown School District, where I taught social studies and supported Newcomer English learners for five years. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education (grades 4–6, all subject areas, and grades 7–8 Social Studies and English Language Arts) from Clarion University. I also earned my ESL Specialist Certification from DeSales University. I want my students to know that I believe in them, that they are heard, that they are important, and that they will succeed!
Susan DiGiacomo
Email: digiacomos@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Whitehall High School
Grade: 9-12
Department: ESL
Robin Matis
Email: matisr@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Whitehall High School
Grade: 9-12
Department: ESL
My name is Ms. Matis and I have been an ESL Specialist for almost twenty years. Prior to teaching in Whitehall, I worked in the Northampton Area School District and Allentown School District. In Northampton, I was a teacher and also maintained facilitator responsibilities. While in Allentown, I served as not only an ESL teacher but also a Mathematics teacher. Additionally, I have previously worked at LaSalle University as an adjunct professor teaching both Writing and Mathematics courses. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from DeSales University and my first Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from DeSales University. I am currently finishing my second Master's at LaSalle University.
Marlena Stroup
Email: stroupm@whitehallcoplay.org
Location: Whitehall High School
Grade: 9-12
Department: ESL
Hello! My name is Mrs. Stroup, and I am honored to serve in the role of the ESL Facilitator K-12 for the Whitehall-Coplay School District. Before this position, I have had the privilege of serving as an ESL Specialist at Zephyr Elementary School for the past 16 years, and prior to that, I served as an ESL Specialist at both Whitehall-Coplay Middle School and Steckel Elementary School for two years. My teaching career began in the Allentown School District, where I served as an ESL Specialist for six years. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from Penn State University, my Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from DeSales University, and most recently, completed my Pre-K-12 Principal's Certification at Moravian University.