Department for English Learners

English Learner Services

Support for the Topeka Public School District

The EL team employs bilingual (English/Spanish) staff at the Quinton Heights Welcome Center to interpret and/or translate for the district and for our parents. The English Learners team works together to assess students new to the district for English proficiency which qualifies students for the district's English Learner (EL) programs and supports. As a team, we work to find the appropriate location for English learners to ensure they receive optimal services. We facilitate the interpretation of international transcripts to make sure students new to the district are provided with the credits entitled and necessary to graduate high school.

Interpreters for IEP Meetings

If you need an interpreter for an IEP meeting, All requests must be submitted through our IEP Interpreter Request Form. If you need a Spanish interpreter, we need advanced notice of at least 2 weeks. Languages other than Spanish will need advanced notice of at least at least 4 weeks.


English Learners Support Staff

This is Anita Curry, director of English Learner, Dual Language and Migrant Programs.

Anita Curry

Director of English Learner, Dual Language, and Migrant ProgramsQuinton Heights2331 SW Topeka BoulevardTopeka, KS 66611(785) 295-3740acurry@tps501.org


Teresa Cotton, consulting teacher and coach for elementary educators.

Teresa Cotton

Elementary English Learners Consulting Teacher and CoachQuinton Heights2331 SW Topeka BoulevardTopeka, KS 66611(785) 295-3740tcotton@tps501.org


Dr. Laubengayer, consulting teacher and coach for secondary educators.

Dr. Roger Laubengayer

Secondary English Learners Consulting Teacher and CoachQuinton Heights2331 SW Topeka BoulevardTopeka, KS 66611(785) 295-3740rlaubengayer@tps501.org


M. Celina D'Aprile

District Translator and InterpreterQuinton Heights2331 SW Topeka BoulevardTopeka, KS 66611(785)295-3951mdaprile@tps501.org


Ruth Deras

EL Liaison and Migrant Data Clerk Quinton Heights2331 SW Topeka BoulevardTopeka, KS 66611(785)295-3950rderas@tps501.org


Executive SecretaryQuinton Heights2331 SW Topeka BoulevardTopeka, KS 66611(785)295-3741kgramlich@tps501.org