The School District of Lancaster is honored to celebrate Anne Miller and Jody Charles, ESL/ELD Enrollment Data Specialists, who were recognized by the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program (MEP) at Millersville University for their exceptional collaboration and service to migrant students and families.
This recognition reflects years of shared commitment, communication, and trust between SDoL and MEP. As one of MEP’s most consistent and proactive referral partners, SDoL plays a vital role in ensuring that students who come from agricultural and migratory backgrounds receive high-quality support from the moment they arrive in our district.
A Partnership Rooted in Service
The Migrant Education Program at Millersville University serves children and families across Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties. Many of these students enter school carrying the weight of a disrupted educational journey, frequent relocations, and the unique challenges associated with agricultural work. MEP’s mission is to help migrant students overcome these barriers by providing supplemental academic instruction, advocacy, and emotional support, during both the school year and summer months.
For this work to succeed, districts and MEP must operate in lockstep. That is where Anne Miller and Jody Charles shine.
Their roles require precision, cultural awareness, responsiveness, and deep empathy. Anne and Jody are often among the first SDoL staff members to interact with new families entering the district. They ensure families are welcomed with dignity and that students are quickly connected to the services they need. They communicate regularly with MEP staff, troubleshoot enrollment questions, refine referral processes, and support families who may be navigating a new school system, language, or country.
Their work removes obstacles before they disrupt a student’s learning.
Recognition That Speaks to Impact
During a recent gathering, MEP presented Anne, Jody, and the district with a plaque recognizing SDoL as one of its top referral partners. The plaque honors the many years of collaboration that have helped hundreds of students transition smoothly into our schools and receive the additional supports MEP provides.
The acknowledgment from MEP underscores how essential this relationship has become. Whether it is coordinating monthly referrals, discussing best practices, or responding quickly to the needs of newly arrived families, SDoL’s partnership helps MEP carry out its mission and helps children access stability in a moment that can feel anything but stable.
Marie Byler, SDoL’s Coordinator of K–12 ELD and World Language Programs, highlighted the heart behind Anne and Jody’s work:
“Anne and Jody embody the heart of our work. They approach every family with care, urgency, and respect, making sure students receive what they need to begin their educational journey with confidence. Our partnership with the Migrant Education Program is stronger because of their leadership and collaboration.”
Marie’s leadership has helped strengthen relationships across agencies, ensuring that communication is seamless and that every student receives consistent support from enrollment through their time in SDoL.
A Shared Commitment to Every Learner
The ongoing relationship between SDoL and MEP is built on a shared belief that every child deserves a pathway to a strong education, regardless of where they come from or how many times they’ve had to move. We ensure migrant students have access to the academic, emotional, and social-emotional supports that allow them to grow, graduate, and thrive in whatever community they eventually call home.
We are grateful for Anne Miller, Jody Charles, and the entire ELD team for their commitment to this mission. Their work reflects the best of who we are as a district, welcoming, student-centered, and deeply collaborative.
SDoL is proud to stand alongside our partners at Millersville University’s Migrant Education Program as we continue working together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families across Lancaster.