ts and works with special education students.
American culture can seem strange to some Somali students, and Abdi tries to explain.
"Like maybe the name of a teacher may mean something in Somali language and the kid is shying away to say that name," he said. "That is one of the things I can explain."
Another example is extending an index finger and motioning for someone to "come here." In Somali culture that is an insult that means the person making the motion is the boss over the person they are summoning.
And the Somali sign for asking someone to "come here" is to hold the hand up and open and close all four fingers, similar to waving goodbye.
It's those simple movements that can cause major problems if they are misunderstood.
"Learning those things from each can make for a more close connection," Abdi said. "In St. Cloud we need to learn from each other."
Abigail Fernstrom is the only Spanish BCSS in the district. She works at Discovery Community Elementary School in Waite Park.
Her days are similar to Abdi's, with many phone calls and emails about students' progress. She translates at conferences, when a student needs to see the nurse and when families need to access services such as free and reduced lunch.
She sees far less conflict and fights than Abdi does at Tech.
"It's a whole different ballgame because they are little. I'm not saying that there is not an issue about race here, because we have had issues," she said. "But it's easier and more manageable because they're little and you can teach them our core values of 'respect yourself and respect others.' "
An important goal of the BCSS program is to engage parents and get them involved in their children's education, Witherspoon said. That is increasingly crucial to academic achievement, he said, and the BCSS program heightens that connection.
"They're invaluable to our school system," he said.
And Abdi uses his own story to motivate students. Growing up in Kenya, he never had school lunch or a bus ride to school. He had to get up at 5 a.m. and walk 2-3 miles to get to school on time, he said.
"Being at a young age and a refugee in another country is a very tough life that you need to deal with," he said. "And I normally share with my students as a lesson. I tell them 'You have these things that I never had in my life at your age. You can take advantage.' And that has changed a lot of kids in this school."
Follow David Unze on Twitter @sctimesunze or call him at 255-8740.