GAITHERSBURG, Md. (DC News Now) -- Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced Wednesday that Melissa Porter Parks, a teacher at Gaithersburg High School, was named teacher of the year, making her a contender for the 2024 Maryland teacher of the year.  Porter Parks is an English language development teacher teaching over 800 students from diverse backgrounds. Parks oversees the emerging multilingual learners program (EML), formerly known as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at her school.  “Learning a content in a different language and having their brains work the way they do - I think it’s awe-inspiring,” the educator told DC News Now.  Montgomery County Public Schools partners with Baltimore Ravens, Under Armour to bring girls flag football The teacher of 13 years oversees the largest the largest English Language Development (ELD) department in MCPS and focuses on teaching her children how to be culturally comfortable in an environment that is not native to them. Her students are often immigrants from Latin America who juggle part time jobs in addition to school, Porter Parks explained.  “She gives you her all and as someone from Nicaragua, that’s everything,” one student told DC News Now. Another student said no other teacher was more deserving of the award than Porter Parks. “She helps you how to understand one another no matter what,” another student said. Her department has seen a graduation rate increase of nearly 30%.  “She has really created a warm and welcoming environment for our students, especially our newly immigrated students coming into a very large school system,” Cary Dimmick, principal of Gaithersburg High School, said.   Hundreds of Montgomery County Public School students volunteered for Earth Day Porter Parks who grew up on free school lunches and once tackled several jobs a student said she wants to create an environment that is inclusive and rigorous for her students.  “I want to break the barriers for my kids because I had teachers push me despite not having the financial means to go to college, despite working three jobs in high school,” Porter Parks said.  Breaking language barriers one class at a time, her students told DC News Now she’s always willing to connect with them on a personal level.  “My goal is to always let my kids know I am here for them,” said Porter Parks. “My goal is to always approach every student with the unconditional, positive regard.”