Student, Teacher Receive ESOL Honors From Douglas County School

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglas County student and teacher have both been honored by the district for excellence in ESOL, or English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Temitope Adeyemo, a senior at Douglas County High School, was named 2021-2022 Exemplary English Learner by the Douglas County School System in a statement released Friday. Shelia Clackum of Arbor Station Elementary School was named as 2021-2022 Exemplary ESOL Educator.

“Temitope is a shining example of how coming to the United States with limited English language proficiency can become the impetus that propels someone to success,” said Douglas County High Principal Kenja Parks. “She has gone from taking ESOL classes to flourishing in advanced placement courses in Spanish, microeconomics and U.S. history.” She also kept a 4.0 GPA while participating in clubs and activities, Parks added.

Clackum is a 23-year veteran educator, the last 10 years of it in ESOL. “She has made a difference in the lives of all of the many students she has had in her classroom,” said Arbor Station Principal Emily Felton. “Any child lucky enough to have her as a teacher is not only guaranteed to receive the best education possible, but also has an advocate for life.”