This year’s ESL Teacher of the Year, Ms. Karent Padilla, has made a lasting impact on our emergent bilingual students, creating an inclusive and empowering environment that honors students’ home languages and cultures while accelerating English proficiency. At the luncheon, Dr. Adams celebrated Ms. Padilla's skillful instruction, advocacy, and belief in the potential of every student. Her classroom is a space of linguistic growth, academic achievement, and deep belonging.