VALENTINE, Neb — English language learners are the fastest growing student population in the US, according to the National Center for Education.

More than seven percent of public school students in Nebraska now have English as their second language. That has school districts across the state getting creative.

Seven-year-old Aitana is learning more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.

“I’m learning English,” Aitana said.

She’s also learning how to speak another language. Aitana is one of a growing number of students at Valentine Public Schools with English as their second language. The district went from just a couple of ELL students at the beginning of the school year to now almost 20.

“I learned how to use the translate apps on the iPad pretty quickly” First grade teacher Shelly Parks said. "It would have been really difficult without technology."

Parks was just hired to become Valentine Elementary and Middle School’s ELL coordinator. She’ll start the position next school year.

“The ESL students that I’ve had have been fascinating to watch them learn and grow,” Parks said. "They catch on to a new language way faster than I can."

In addition to hiring an ELL coordinator at the elementary and middle school, the district has also created that position at the high school.

“So they all get success at their education, and they feel comfortable learning at their level,” Kasey Epke said.

Epke has been teaching several subjects at the high school, including Spanish, but to accommodate the growing number of ELL students, next year she’ll focus on Chemistry and being the high school’s ELL specialist.

“I’m taking all of these ELL classes right now, so it’s fun to share with my teacher friends all of the different tools they can use in their classroom to make their students more successful,” Epke said.

Tools and changes that the district hopes will help all students reach their maximum potential.