District 742 Coordinator of Immersion and World Languages Sue Linn-Hasbrouck was recently recognized with the 2018 LEAF (Local Education & Activities Foundation) Instructional Excellence Award during the organization’s annual community report and awards reception at the St. Cloud Country Club.

 

“Winning this award was such a surprise to me,” said Hasbrouck. “I don’t feel like I do any more than anyone else in the district.”

 

Each year LEAF recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the mission of the organization and/or to the education mission of District 742 at their annual board of directors meeting. Awards are presented for lifetime service, volunteerism, charitable donations, coaching/directing excellence and instructional excellence.

 

Hasbrouck was hired by District 742 as their Spanish magnet grant coordinator in the second year of their language immersion program. Spanish immersion is available at Clearview Elementary and Mandarin Chinese Immersion is available at Madison Elementary. Today she is the coordinator of immersion and world languages.

 

“I care passionately about second language acquisition,” she said. “I believe the immersion model is the best model for becoming bilingual.”

 

Hasbrouck holds a major in German and a minor in Spanish from St. Cloud State University as well as a master’s in German from Penn State. She’s also participated in two study abroad experiences in Germany, spent a semester in Costa Rica, a semester in Chile and six months in Spain.

 

“Immersion teachers have to be passionate about what they do,” she said. “It’s a very demanding job, but if it’s a fit there’s no better. We get to immerse language and culture into core content.”

 

She stressed learning another language doesn’t take away from the first language, the goal is for all students to develop their English at high levels. The language immersion programs introduce a second language when children are most open to it.

 

“You only get a certain window for the brain development that happens when kids are involved in language or music at a young age,” said Hasbrouck. “It’s an advantage they’ll have for the rest of their lives.”

 

“Students in language immersion also develop global competencies, which are important to living in a global society. Our world is shrinking and it opens the door to acceptance of others and their cultures.”

 

The District 742 LEAF Board of Directors choose Hasbrouck to receive the instructional excellence award due to her leadership in the immersion program and her work in coordinating last fall’s 10-year immersion anniversary celebration.

 

The goals of the immersion programs are for students to effectively communicate in a second language, to acquire the same English skills as students in English-only programs, and to acquire greater knowledge, understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

 

The benefits to children learning two languages are numerous, including enhanced academic and linguistic performance in both languages, physically enhanced brain development, increased attendance in higher education, an expanded world view and greater career and social opportunities. 

 

District 742 is still accepting enrollment in both of their language immersion programs. For more information visit isd742.org/immersion.

 

LEAF is a non-profit organization that promotes and enhances school-based, extra-curricular activities and education opportunities in District 742 Public Schools. LEAF’s endowment fund provides supplemental funding for academics, activities, arts and athletics.