Immersion

The Spanish Partial Immersion Program at the middle school level is a continuation of the elementary program offered at Key and Claremont Elementary Schools.

The program begins the middle school sequence and is designed to continue the development of Spanish language proficiency. The skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are taught specifically through the language arts program and through content instruction in social studies and science. Student placement in the program is open to students who show appropriate proficiency in Spanish.

Early second language learning provides the following positive effects:

Enriches and enhances students’ mental development.
Helps students to develop more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language learning, and a greater attention span.
Improves students’ understanding of their native language.
Gives students a head start in language requirements for high school and college graduation.
Prepares students to compete in the global economy, where proficiency in more than one language represents a significant advantage.

All middle school students who participate in the Spanish Partial Immersion Program follow the same core curriculum as students at each of the Arlington middle schools. Bus transportation is provided for all students participating in the program who live more than 1.5 miles from Gunston Middle School.

Language of Instruction

English: Math, English, Elective, P.E

Spanish: Social Studies, Science, Spanish Language Arts

Immersion Team

Sharon Kolody

Immersion Counselor

sharon.kolody@apsva.us

Hello! I’m a proud member of the Gunston Counseling Department and have been for 24 years. I grew up in southern Maryland where I also attended the University of Maryland at College Park. Go Terps! Then, I earned my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Trinity University of Washington and have spent most of my career in APS both as a teacher and school counselor. In my free time, I love to watch classic comedies or HGTV, ride in my husband’s antique car in parades, go to concerts or Paint Nites, and spend time with family and friends. Favorite Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Elma Molina-Riggle

Spanish Language Arts 6

elma.molina@apsva.us

Hola :-) I'm Elma Molina, and teach sixth grade Spanish Language Arts in the Immersion Program/Dual Language Program. I've been teaching for over 28 years and I still enjoy helping my students learn and improve their language skills in Spanish. I obtained my Bachelor's degree from The Catholic University of America and my Master's Degree from George Mason University. I have two adult daughters who also went through the Immersion Program in Arlington.

Luzdary Chamorro

Immersion Science 6

luzdary.chamorro@apsva.us

I was born in Colombia, South America, and completed elementary school there. Due to my father's job with the United Nations, we moved to Damascus, Syria where I finished Middle School. Next, we moved to Israel, where I completed High School, and graduated in 1980. That year, I came to the United States to go to university and completed my Bachelor's degree in Biology and 3 Masters degrees, and one of them was in Education. I started my teaching career in 1986 in New Delhi, India, where I taught Spanish and French at the American International School. This is when I discovered that I had a passion for teaching. Before coming to Gunston, I taught IB Biology in High School in Bogota, Colombia. I came to Gunston Middle School in the year 2,000, where I have been teaching 6th grade Science in the Immersion Program. In 2004, I was chosen as one the 2 Virginia's teachers to attend NASA space camp. In 2014, I received the VAST (Virginia Association of Science Teachers) recognition for the best Middle School Science Teacher in Virginia. I am excited to be starting my 25th year at Gunston!!