Jessie Kelleher has served as a volunteer English Language instructor at the Mesa County Workforce Center since 2009. She recently celebrated 10 years of service with the English Language Acquisition Program (ELA). In that time she estimates that she has taught and assisted over 200 students. She teaches 45 classes a year. Jessie speaks an impressive 6 languages and, though she is self-taught in ELA, she is always researching new ideas to assist her students in gaining skills.

Jessie specializes in teaching historical perspectives, accent reduction, citizenship, career readiness, reading for comprehension, language life skills as well as computer skills. She also provides phone conversation assistance and assists students who need help with life skills, such as acquiring a driver’s license.

Jessie views her work in ELA as helping people who are underrepresented. She says that she enjoys helping people reach their dreams. Many of her students have the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree from their native countries and Jessie treats them with respect while helping them acquire the English language.

One of her students, a fellow Hilltop Employee, has this to say about Jessie: “In the past six years she not only helped me to learn English, but also helped me a lot [in other ways.]” Jessie helped this student get a good job, understand work related issues, study for her citizenship exam and find a doctor. “She helped me understand the American culture. She is my teacher and friend…more like my family,” she says.

Jessie has created a niche for students that is not provided elsewhere in the community. Learning English is hard, but her students stick with her once they see the results of their hard work pay off. Jessie embodies the Hilltop Way and has helped students improve their lives and English skills. Thank you Jessie!