From "English Learners" to Bilingual Teachers: Insights and Inspiration

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Bilingual and Bicultural Teaching and Learning Around the World

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of bilingual and bicultural education to meet the needs of the increasing number of emerging bilingual students. At the heart of bilingual education are bilingual teachers. However, many emerging bilingual students experience subtractive educational experiences (Valenzuela, 1999). A disproportionate amount of bilingual/bicultural students are pushed out of school for a myriad of reasons and few attain the post-secondary degrees needed to become teachers (Gándara, 2010; Yosso, Solórzano, & Yosso, 2006). This qualitative research study explores the experiences of three bilingual and bicultural teachers; it delves into their schooling experiences, learning English, navigating college, becoming teachers, and teaching for social justice shapes their teaching and learning with bilingual students.

Author

• Carrie Susan Larson, Pacific University Oregon