The Whitewater Adult ESL program has been changing lives for 25 years. Started in 1997 by two visionary teachers, Jorge Islas-Martinez and Sandra Heyer, the Whitewater Adult ESL program provides English language instruction to area adults who desire to learn English so they can better connect with the community and support their families. In addition to improving their reading, writing, and communication skills in English, students in the program are able to work towards citizenship, learn basic computer literacy, and get information about local resources.

The four levels of curriculum, beginning to advanced English language proficiency, are fully developed and taught by experienced teachers, including Sandra Heyer, who is the author of a textbook series called True Stories aimed at developing reading-skill instruction to English Language Learners in a carefully paced, step by step process. The program is offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 at Whitewater High School.

Additionally, the Adult ESL has childcare that is staffed by bilingual adults who themselves grew up in Whitewater in Spanish-speaking households that assist students with homework and provide enrichment activities. The Adult ESL classes are financially supported by the Whitewater Unified School District and occasional contributions from local civic groups and churches, and the childcare program is supported by the United Way. Impressively, Adult ESL regularly gets volunteers from UW-Whitewater and occasionally get invitations from the Young Auditorium to attend undersold concerts gratis.

Over the years, students in the program have credited the Adult ESL program in helping them learn English, get a job, be able to converse with their children’s teachers at parent teacher conference, earn their GED, gain citizenship, and much more. What started out as a dream from Jorge Islas-Martinez and Sandra Heyer has translated into changing the lives of literally thousands of people including their students, families, and the whole Whitewater community.  

Free English Classes are held at Whitewater High School throughout the school year. Childcare is provided! See flyer below for more information.