Francie Perez Empowers Young Language Learners at Meridian

When the 2025-2026 school year began, Francie Perez was a new face at Meridian Elementary, but she was no stranger to the classroom. With over 22 years of experience as a bilingual teacher in Puerto Rico and Colorado, Francie joined Meridian Elementary as an English Language Learner (ELL) specialist, ready to help her students find their voices in a new environment.

At the start of the school year, Francie immediately felt at home. Reflecting on her start, she noted that the GPS New Teacher Orientation was "welcoming, well-organized, and fun," setting the stage for a smooth transition into the Meridian community. Her initial goal was simple: to create a safe, supportive space where students could focus on essential language development.

"Take it a step and a day at a time, ask for help, and know that the district has your back," Francie advised other new teachers.

As the first semester progressed, the Meridian community blossomed into what Francie describes as a “loving, caring, and confident” environment. By mid-year, her students were engaging in deeper conversations and mastering the nuances of punctuation and capitalization.

For Francie, the most rewarding part of the winter months was watching her students grow as confident readers and writers, applying their new skills to their daily work with increasing accuracy.

Now, as the school year draws to a close, it is clear that the students aren't the only ones who have grown. Francie has spent the year intentionally expanding her own expertise to better serve her young learners.

"I feel so much more confident in my ability to help my young learners progress in their learning and language skills," she shares.

The impact of her work was perfectly captured in a recent, heartwarming moment when a second-grade student turned to her and proudly declared, "I'm smart!" 

"It touched me in a profound way," Francie says. "I love knowing that I make a difference in children’s lives."

Supported by the caring, giving, and loving community at Meridian, Francie is looking toward the 2026-2027 school year. She is eager to continue her professional growth, committed to elevating her students’ learning and ensuring that every child who walks into her classroom knows exactly how smart they truly are.

To learn more about the culture at Meridian Elementary, schedule a tour at Meridian.GilbertSchools.net/Tour.