ELD Staff

Mrs. Megan Geise - ELD Coordinator
mgeise@danvillesd.org
(570) 271-3268, Option 8, Option 2

Mrs. Kimberly Slear - K-12 ELD Specialist
kslear@danvillesd.org
(570) 271-3268, ext. 2236

Hi, and welcome to the ELD Program at Danville School District!

I have been providing instruction for the ELD program for the last 4 years. I teach students in grades K-12, in all buildings in the district. Previously, I worked at the Danville middle school as a reading specialist, specializing in using the Orton Gillingham Phonics program with students in grades 6-8. Before working at Danville, I was a high school English teacher for Keystone High School and a Dyslexia tutor for grades K-8 at the Children's Dyslexia Center of the Susquehanna Valley.  I was also a volunteer reading and writing assistant at several local private schools and taught at Wrightsville High School. 

I received my Bachelors in English Education (grades 7-12) degree from Penn State and earned my Masters in Education and Reading Specialist Certification from Bloomsburg University. I furthered my education by studying and becoming credentialed as an ESL teacher through Susquehanna University and earned certification in Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness from Immaculata University. I have gone on to take Doctoral level coursework in School Administration. 

I am married, &  have 3 sons, 2 stepsons, 5 grandchildren, & 3 spoiled cats.  I have lived in Danville for the last 23 years. Prior to that, I previously lived in several different areas of PA, NJ, and California. I love to travel, go to concerts, read, and spend time with family & friends.

My favorite part of teaching the ELL program is all I learn from my students!  I love when students share their favorite ethnic dishes, songs, cultural holidays, and memories of places outside of Danville. I have learned so much about the world from my students and parents!  The ELL program has included students from 15 different countries, a US territory, and many students born in the US who speak a native language in their home. 

I also place a great value on families retaining their native language, culture, and beliefs.  I believe students who are multilingual have more opportunities for success in their future and have more to offer to the communities they grow up and live in.  I believe parents are a key part of making this happen, and I encourage parental involvement at all grade levels.

The ELD Program at Danville Area School District is designed for those students who qualify for support with American English language skills along with acculturation skills when necessary.  Students are identified via the Home Language Survey, followed by a family interview, and then screened with PDE's mandated WIDA ACCESS test to determine if ELD services are needed.  Those who are in the ELD Program are also assessed annually with WIDA ACCESS 2.0 for ELLS, the PED-required test of English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

The ELD program at DASD is a mixed class with an English-only support program. When in the program, students are seen by the district ELD Specialist either in their classrooms or in a pull-out model to work with the ELD Specialist at an appropriate time within the school day.  Students may receive one-on-one or small-group support. How often and how long students are seen is determined by proficiency level and students' classroom schedules. The ELD Specialist also works closely with teachers and many others across the district to help provide a positive and comfortable schooling environment for ELD students.