Caminar en Sus Zapatos: Understanding Transformative Bilingual Professional Learning in Early Childhood Education

• In Event: Latinx Teachers: Using Culture and Language to Uplift

Abstract

Based on a larger examination of an early learning professional development initiative in the state of Florida, this qualitative study utilized narratives of early learning teachers and directors who are dual language learners (DLLs) to understand their experience through engaging in a bilingual professional development system, and how this experience impacted their instructional and leadership knowledge, practice, and beliefs as dual language learners, teachers, and leaders. Results indicate that participants used a culturally collective learning approach to navigate professional development, and experienced a shift towards elevated practice and professionalism. In addition, participants spoke of the power of learning in their home language, and the empathy and empowerment they experienced teaching their own dual language children in their classrooms.

Authors

• Mary Kathleen Rodgers, University of Florida

• Natalie Hagler, University of Florida

• Yuxi Qiu, Florida International University

• Lisa Sutter, University of Florida