Diana Thesing, ESOL Teacher, Oakland Mills High School

January 28th, 2016

Diana Thesing always knew she wanted to make a difference in the community and found her calling as an ESOL teacher at Oakland Mills High School. HCPSS ESOL promotes the development of English language learning students’ proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing as they engage in study of academic content across all subjects. Thesing describes her role as “helping with the language and strategies to succeed in an American school.”

Thesing teaches two ESOL classes and co-teaches reading and health. In the classroom, she mostly works with 9th and 10th graders, but she provides support and engages with students of all grade levels. Thesing assists in any number of tasks to help Oakland Mills ESOL students excel in school, including helping with referrals, phone calls, nurse and counselor visits and teacher meetings; processing paperwork; and analyzing test scores.

Thesing understands engagement is crucial for her students and families, and connects with them in extracurricular activities throughout the school year. She helps run the ESOL after-school club, which offers tutoring, homework help and social interactions every day. She also partners with teachers in other departments for activities and field trips; hosts family nights, end-of-quarter celebrations and inspirational guest speakers; and even plans ice skating and movie outings.

English Instructional Team Leader Samantha Armstead noted that Thesing goes above and beyond her role with, “Diana Thesing consistently demonstrates a tireless work ethic and an admirable commitment to Oakland Mills students and families. Her top priority is providing Oakland Mills ESOL students with an equal opportunity to achieve. With this in mind, she communicates daily with necessary personnel to ensure each individual receives the attention he/she requires to succeed. Though her task list is endless, she approaches each charge with a positive attitude.”

A native of Colombia, Thesing came to the United States to go to college. She originally dabbled in interior design before working many years as a bilingual associate, providing quality management of Spanish language calls, for the telecommunication corporation MCI. Thesing realized, however, she wanted to make a difference in students’ lives and decided to pursue a modern foreign language bachelor’s, specializing in Spanish, at the Notre Dame of Maryland University and an ESOL teaching certification at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. With her husband as an Oakland Mills alumnus, she often went to games and knew some of the teachers there, so when an instructional assistant opening became available at the high school in 2001, she jumped at the opportunity. Thesing has been with Oakland Mills ever since, with her role evolving as she finished her degree, working as a bilingual instructional assistant/ESOL teacher before settling into her role as a full-time ESOL teacher.

As a non-native English speaker, Thesing can relate to her students as they meet the challenges of navigating the American educational system. The English language learners at Oakland Mills mostly hail from Central and South America, but also from around the world. They come with a wide range of English capabilities and individualized needs. She said, “The students face obstacles with learning a new system and culture, and meeting new people and friends; even the winter weather might be new. I want them to make mistakes, to make the effort because the effort makes you different and helps you grow.”

Thesing explained that her job is very rewarding, especially the satisfaction “of seeing kids graduating after years of many, many hours of studying, some kids starting with no proficiency in English.” She enjoys working at the high school level, with young adults who are eager to learn, have minds of their own and can have serious conversations about life topics. She is thankful for the support of Oakland Mills administrators, teachers, her fellow ESOL teachers and paraeducator, and the Central Office ESOL Program staff.

Armstead said the gratitude is mutual with, “Mrs. Thesing is a highly valuable asset to Oakland Mills High School. Her dedication is commendable and very much appreciated by Oakland Mills High School staff, students, families and community members.”