FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Secatogue Ln, West Islip, NY, USA Gloria Joanne Kramer-Gordon, Ed.D., has released an impactful and engaging children’s book, It’s Raining Fish. It aims at bridging cultural understanding and illuminating the everyday struggles and triumphs of English Language Learners (ELLs).
Through the story of young Manuel, a boy from Honduras who is adjusting to his new life and school in the United States, readers gain insight into the cultural and linguistic obstacles faced by students learning English in unfamiliar surroundings.
The book follows Manuel’s journey as he faces the complexities of language and idioms, a struggle that leads to an unexpected yet heartwarming revelation.
When asked to share an idiom with his class, Manuel recalls the unique story of the “raining fish” from his hometown. Initially met with disbelief and laughter, his story later inspires his teacher and classmates to reevaluate their assumptions and appreciate cultural diversity.
This book is both a compelling narrative for children and a valuable resource for educators. The story shows the importance of cultural respect, patience, and open-mindedness within the classroom.
Gloria Joanne, an experienced educator herself, uses Manuel’s story to advocate for more inclusive teaching practices that recognize and respect the experiences of multilingual and immigrant students.
About the Author
With a career rooted in education, Gloria Joann began as a substitute teacher and Spanish instructor, later dedicating many years to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) for grades K-12.
Rising through the ranks, Joanne became the ESL department chair for elementary schools in her district, where she championed effective language programs. Her leadership continued as the principal of a dual-language school, a role that included the challenging yet rewarding work of helping to establish the school from the ground up.
In higher education, Joanne served as an adjunct instructor at Molly University’s graduate division of education, specializing in TESOL. Currently, she is the TESOL coordinator and an Assistant Professor at SUNY Empire University, where she contributes to the School for Graduate Studies.
