ESD 123 Migrant Education Program

03/30/2026

We’re looking for opportunities to connect entrepreneurs to our migrant students and visit a local restaurant, where they can be hosted and hear directly from the owner about their journey.

If you or someone you know is a former migrant student who now owns a restaurant in the Tri-Cities area, please reach out to [email protected]. We’d love to connect our students with entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry and create an inspiring, real-world learning experience!

10/01/2025

🌟 What We Do Wednesday 🌟
This week, we’re highlighting the incredible impact of our Migrant Education Program team.
👩‍🏫 Alma Rangel, Migrant Student Advocate, shares:
"Last year, I had a student who was involved in a car accident just 3–4 weeks before graduation. At the time, he was still behind on several credits and faced a long recovery ahead, even after a brief hospital stay. With support from our credit retrieval program, access to online courses through the school, and the guidance of our migrant education nurse, we were able to help him stay on track. He ultimately walked the stage on graduation day. I often reflect on this moment, it was a powerful reminder of how our program comes together to support students not just academically, but as whole individuals navigating real-life challenges."
💡 Stories like this remind us why MEP exists: to walk alongside students and families, helping them overcome barriers and reach their goals.
👏 Congratulations to this student and to Alma for her unwavering support!

09/25/2025

🌟 Thank You Thursday Spotlight! 🌟
This week, we are excited to highlight our incredible partnership with TC Futures and celebrate the work of our very own Migrant Out of School Youth Reengagement Specialists, Mariana Gamino and Adreana Gonzalez.
✨ Mariana nominated Carlos for Migratory Student of the Year, and we are so proud to share that he was honored at this year’s Washington Migrant Education Program State Conference!
Mariana shares:
“Carlos is truly deserving of this recognition because of the remarkable dedication and effort he consistently puts into his education. His hours of hard work have not gone unnoticed, everyone at the center sees how committed he is, spending entire days here focused on studying and improving himself. Carlos is never afraid to ask for help, always seeking out support when he needs it and fully taking advantage of every opportunity and resource our center provides.
What stands out most about Carlos is his attitude, is he approaches everything with humility, gratitude, and determination. No matter the challenges he faces, he remains thankful for the support he receives and makes the most of every chance to grow. His drive to succeed, combined with his genuine appreciation and positive presence, makes him an inspiring example to his peers and a student we are proud to recognize.”
💻 As part of his recognition, Carlos was awarded a brand-new computer sponsored through Community Health Plan of Washington, a tool that will help him continue his educational journey.
👏 A huge thank you to TC Futures, Mariana, Adreana, and all of our amazing community partners like Community Health Plan of Washington, who continue to uplift and empower our students. Together, we are making a difference!

09/03/2025

🌟 What We Do Wednesday 🌟
This week, we’re shining a light on the heart of our work—supporting the whole student.
👩‍💼 Kristal Solorzano, Migrant Student Assistance Professional, shares:
"When supporting students with their emotional well-being, I believe it’s essential to start by addressing their basic needs. A good example of this is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The first level focuses on physiological needs such as food, water, and shelter. If these needs aren’t being met, students are unable to move on to the next level, which includes safety and stability. For example, I worked with a student who was struggling academically and emotionally because their family was experiencing housing insecurity. By connecting the family to community resources for food and stable housing, the student was able to feel safer and more secure, which allowed them to focus better in school and engage more fully in emotional and social support services. Starting with these foundational needs enables me to support students in reaching their full potential."
💡 This powerful story reminds us that meeting students’ most basic needs lays the foundation for academic success and emotional growth.
👏 Thank you, Kristal, for your commitment to helping students and families thrive. You can find Kristal supporting MEP students at Finley School District and Kiona Benton School District.
✨ Stay tuned for more What We Do Wednesday posts where we’ll continue highlighting our amazing staff and programs!

08/25/2025

🌟 Meet the Team: Adilene Flores Gomez 🌟
We are excited to introduce our Migrant Education Program Intern, Adilene Flores Gomez! Adilene is also a current student at Columbia Basin College. Go Hawks!
Adilene shares:
"Even though I’ve only been an intern for the Migrant Education Program for a short time, I truly enjoy it. I always enjoy helping others, especially those who need and look for help. I’m glad to say that in this program, we do exactly that! I went from being a migrant student and receiving support and help, to now being one of the many people who help serve the migrant families. Seeing the positive impact the program has on families is my favorite part about my job!" 💙
We are so grateful for Adilene’s passion, heart for service, and commitment to supporting our migrant students and families. She has been with us for 3 months and has been very resourceful and helpful to our team! Thank you, Adilene! 💫

Our posts will celebrate each of our incredible team members, stay tuned to learn more about our amazing team, every Monday!

08/18/2025

🌟 Meet the Team: Lisa Lopez 🌟
We’re excited to highlight Lisa Lopez, our dedicated Migrant Education Program Assistant, who has been part of the ESD family for over 12 years!
Lisa has supported our program in many ways, first as a records clerk and now as a program assistant. As a former migrant student herself, she brings a unique perspective and heartfelt commitment to the work we do.
When asked what she enjoys most about her role, Lisa shared:
✨ “I enjoy working with families and being part of such a great team.”
We are grateful for Lisa’s dedication, experience, and passion for serving our Migrant Education Program students and families! 💙
Our posts will celebrate each of our incredible team members, stay tuned to learn more about our amazing team, every Monday!

08/11/2025

🌟 Meet the Team Monday! 🌟
Today we’re excited to introduce Mariana Gamino, our Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Reengagement Specialist with the ESD123 Migrant Education Program! 🎉
Mariana has been with our program for over 1.5 years, and you can often find her at TC Futures in Kennewick, where she supports out-of-school youth as they explore opportunities for education, training, and career pathways.
Mariana shares:
"Working for the Migrant Education Program is such a fulfilling job. I get to be part of an amazing team and help support a community that gives so much and works incredibly hard. As someone who was once in the program myself, it feels really special to now be on the other side."
We’re so grateful to have Mariana’s passion and firsthand experience guiding the work we do every day for migrant students and families! 💙🙌

08/06/2025

🔍 What We Do Wednesdays | Academic Support with Purpose 📘✏️
This week, we're spotlighting the incredible work of Eva Tzib, our MEP Academic Coordinator, who plays a vital role in making sure our academic supports are intentional, student-centered, and effective, especially for our migratory students navigating frequent transitions or gaps in learning.
💬 “To ensure the academic supports we provide are meaningful and effective, I rely heavily on data we collect from the classroom. By analyzing student performance and identifying areas for growth, I’m able to design targeted supports that meet students where they are and help move them forward.” — Eva Tzib
Eva designs activities and resources with four essential principles in mind:
✅ Impact – Are students gaining skills that go beyond one lesson or subject?
⏱️ Time – Is this worth their limited time and helping them grow efficiently?
📦 Supplies – Can this be done anywhere, with minimal materials?
🎯 Enjoyment – Will students stay curious, engaged, and motivated?
She also ensures each support is flexible across grade levels and aligned to multiple standards, so that even one strategy can serve multiple learning goals, maximizing both time and outcomes.
This kind of intentional planning is just one example of what we do to ensure migrant students don’t just stay on track, but thrive. 💪📚

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

🌟 Meet the Team: Heather Garcia Mendoza 🌟
📍 Migrant Parent Empowerment Coordinator | ESD 123 Migrant Education Program
We are thrilled to welcome Heather Garcia Mendoza to our Migrant Education Program team at Educational Service District 123! While Heather is new to this role, she brings many years of experience supporting migrant youth and families in her previous work—and we are so excited to see the incredible impact she will continue to make.
💬 Heather shares:
"Working in migrant education has been more than just a job, it’s been a purpose, a calling, and a privilege. Supporting resilient families and students as they navigate challenges in pursuit of a better future has been deeply rewarding. This work is not just about academics; it's about fostering hope, empowering communities, and ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to education and opportunity. Witnessing the transformation of students who overcome obstacles, gain confidence, and achieve their dreams makes every moment worthwhile."
Heather’s heart, experience, and passion for empowering families make her an incredible asset to our program and community. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 💐💙

Our posts will celebrate each of our incredible team members, stay tuned to learn more about our amazing team, every Monday!

07/30/2025

🔍 What We Do Wednesdays | Student Engagement ✨
🌟 Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Migrant Education Leadership Camp 🌟
We recently hosted our 9th grade Migrant Education Leadership Camp in beautiful North Bend, WA, a powerful space for students to build leadership skills, practice mindfulness, and prepare for the transition to high school. 💬🎒
Through workshops and team-building activities, students:
✅ Gained confidence
✅ Built a growth mindset
✅ Connected with peers and mentors
✅ Explored their High School & Beyond Plan
A special highlight was hearing from Freddy Llanos, Riverview High alum, former migrant student, and now Senior Coordinator of Baseball Communications for the Seattle Mariners! ⚾ His story reminded us to believe in our potential, embrace our roots, and dream beyond limitations.
Here’s what our staff had to say about the experience:
"This camp is one of my favorite events in MEP. As a first-generation student, I know firsthand how powerful it is to be surrounded by people who believe in your potential. Seeing our students connect, build lasting friendships, and gain meaningful college and career exposure reminds me why it’s so important to show up for them. Leadership camp gives them a space to dream big, grow as leaders, and see what’s possible beyond high school and I’m proud to be part of that journey.." — Viviana Magallon, Student Engagement Coordinator
“I truly enjoyed watching our students grow, not just in confidence, but in how they approached challenges, communicated with one another, and stepped into leadership roles. It was truly inspiring seeing this beautiful change."— Magali Estrada, Migrant Student Advocate & Recruiter
We are proud of these students and excited to see how they lead with purpose and resilience moving forward! 💪🌱
🔗 Source: OSPI Report Card – July 2025
https://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ReportCard/ViewSchoolOrDistrict/103300