Director's Message

Stephanie Murley

Stephanie Murley

Director, English Learners

662-429-5271

#OneFamilyOneFocus

Our department is filled with encouraging and enthusiastic educators committed to our specialty. Our mission statement reflects our hearts: "Know every child; grow every child."

We focus on each individual child's strengths and help them grow both academically and in character. From passion and perseverance to innovation and intellect, our team of teachers pour everything into helping English Learners see their full potential and be successful in DeSoto County Schools and beyond.

The vision of the DeSoto County Schools English Learners Program is to ensure access to meaningful rigorous instruction for English Learners as well as provide equity for English Learners while maintaining their cultural identity. 

DeSoto County Schools values the diverse backgrounds of our students and their unique contributions to the learning community. In order to develop learners who are capable of meeting the challenges of a new language and culture, DCS will support English Learners as they demonstrate social, cultural, and academic competence. This will be done by creating a learning environment that

  • Expects students to meet rigorous academic standards

  • Facilitates effective communication in English through reading, writing, speaking, and listening

  • Encourages risk-taking and inquiry

About the Director:

As a native English Learner and graduate of DeSoto County Schools I knew teaching English Learners was a passion for me early on. A love for languages had me pursue my Bachelors in Spanish Education at the University of Mississippi. The passion for growing English Learners (and the love for learning) kept me at Ole Miss a few more years while I earned my Masters in TESOL and a Specialist in Educational Leadership. Hotty Toddy!

I began my teaching career as a Spanish teacher in DeSoto County in 2007 and moved into teaching EL over the course of a few years. I accepted the position for Director of English Learners with DeSoto County Schools in 2016 and it has been an absolute privilege to serve our county and watch our department and students grow. #TEAMDCS

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pelé