What's Up, Doc? Good Move for ESL Students

By Randall Freeman, PhD

As I was beginning my teaching career many moons ago, I was fortunate enough to meet someone who became one of my mentors in education. At the time, I was teaching 5th grade at Mead Valley Elementary School, an unincorporated area just north of Perris. I was not really prepared to effectively teach English learners until I met Anita Alfonso.

Anita was our district’s bilingual coordinator. She was masterful in convincing me to take district-sponsored Spanish classes and to enroll in classes to improve my effectiveness with EL students and parents. I was devastated when she moved on in her career.

I was very surprised and pleased when she came to Menifee USD as a principal. I knew that we couldn’t have hired anyone better than her. In recent months, MUSD administration determined that the district required an experienced person to head the English Learners Section. While there were a number of people who could have filled the position and done a fine job, Anita was selected. It was and is a great fit.

The student population of the Menifee Union School District is growing at a rapid pace. We are certain to hit 10,000 students during the coming school year. As reflected in the Menifee Community, the student demographics are changing. More than 40 percent of the students currently enrolled in the MUSD are English learners, requiring services aimed at improving their academic achievement without negatively affecting the remaining MUSD students. Anita Alfonso is an excellent choice to lead the efforts to accomplish a narrowing of the existing achievement gap for English learners.

I have been honored to serve on the MUSD Governing Board since 2008. I have been excited to participate in the emergence of MUSD as a leading school district in Riverside County and the State of California. Hiring and retaining excellent servant leaders such as Anita Alfonso assure me that our district will continue to lead well into the 21st century.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his lovely wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the proud parents of four beautiful daughters: Daniela, Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Other family members include dogs Scruffy and Max, and turtle Tuttles. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. When not assisting Karen in driving the girls to all of their sporting events, Randy volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley.