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The Bilingual Advantage

The partnership between UTSA and SAISD advances dual language education in San Antonio and beyond.

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Photo of SAISD Principals with Dr. Juanita Sanos in front of an SAISD sign

UTSA partners with SAISD to establish Dual Language Community Lab Schools

The UTSA College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) and San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) are partnering to lead three Dual Language Community Lab Schools.

As part of Senate Bill 1882, signed into law during the 2017 Texas legislative session, the partnership aims to create a dual-language model lab school network that will advance the preparation of teachers, principals, counselors, school psychologists, and others dedicated to educating bilingual students in San Antonio.

Charles Graebner Elementary Logo
James Bonham Academy Logo
Mark Twain Dual Language Academy Logo
Washington Irving Dual Language Learning Academy Logo

Read Principal Biographies

Laura Hernández-López is the newly appointed principal at Graebner Elementary. She has more than 20 years of experience in public education. “My passion for education and support for the success of all students has been shaped by teaching bilingual and ESL students,” says Hernández-López. She has served as a bilingual instructional coach, bilingual/ESL facilitator, assistant principal, and principal at a dual language campus. She earned her high school diploma from Sidney Lanier High School, Bachelor of Arts from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a master's degree in educational administration from Concordia University. “I consider myself a lifelong learner and believe that one should never stop learning and growing. I truly look forward to an amazing 2024 with my new Graebner familia,” says Hernández-López.

Este será mi septimo año sirviendo como director de la Academia Lenguaje Dual Mark Twain. Este año inicio 28 años en la educación. Durante este tiempo he sido maestro bilingüe, maestro de inmersión, subdirector, y director. En cualquier posición mi enfoque ha sido igual: ¡primeramente son los alumnos! Tenemos la responsabilidad de preparar a nuestros alumnos para el futuro de ellos y no nuestro pasado o presente. Con su apoyo continuo seguiremos alcanzando nuestras metas y la tradición de alcanzar excelencia académica. Por esta razón les comunico mi agradecimiento ante mano. Estoy muy entusiasmado por trabajar con nuestra comunidad de Mark Twain durante este año y en el futuro.

Soy originalmente de El Paso, Texas, pero después de más de 30 años aquí ya me considero paisano de San Antonio. Mi esposa y yo tenemos una hija, Sofía. Este año comienza el 11vo grado.

I am honored to serve as Principal of Mark Twain Dual Language Academy for the 7th year. This year begins my 28th year in education. Over the years I have served as a Bilingual Teacher, Spanish Immersion Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal. In whatever capacity that I have served, my focus remains the same: Putting Kids First! We have the privilege of doing whatever it takes to prepare students for their future and not our past or present. With your continued support, we will be able to meet our goals and sustain our tradition of academic excellence. So, I give you a big THANK YOU in advance. I look forward to working with our Mark Twain Community throughout this year and in future years to come.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, my wife and I have called San Antonio our home for over 30 years. Our daughter, Sofia, is now an 11th grader.

Mr. Garcia was also recognized by the San Antonio Area Association of Bilingual Education as the 2023 Administrator of the Year!

Mayra Gutierrez-Ibarra has more than two decades of experience in the field of education. She began her career as a bilingual elementary teacher and in the past 26 years has served in various leadership capacities, including that of Principal, Assistant Principal, Bilingual & Dual Language Coordinator, Instructional Specialist, and Instructional Coach.

She is the proud daughter of immigrant parents and the first in her family to pursue and obtain a four-year and graduate degree. She received her undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, and a graduate Degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Northridge.

Mayra Gutierrez-Ibarra understands the sacrifices immigrant families endure to ensure their children achieve the "American Dream" and it is her firm belief that hard work and education are the key. It is this personal experience and belief that drive Mayra Gutierrez-Ibarra as a school leader; it is her mission to create learning environments that believe in all students and provide them with the tools and resources to make their family dreams a reality.

Mayra Gutierrez-Ibarra tiene más de dos décadas de experiencia en el campo de la educación. Comenzó su carrera como maestra de primaria bilingüe y en los últimos 26 años se ha desempeñado en varios puestos de liderazgo, incluido el de directora, subdirectora, coordinadora bilingüe y de lenguaje dual, especialista en instrucción y entrenadora de instrucción. Ella es la orgullosa hija de padres inmigrantes y la primera de su familia en obtener un título universitario. Recibió su licenciatura en Lingüística y Psicología de la Universidad de California, San Diego y una licenciatura en Liderazgo Educativo de la Universidad Estatal de California, Northridge.

Mayra Gutiérrez-Ibarra entiende los sacrificios que las familias inmigrantes enfrentan para asegurar que sus hijos alcancen el "Sueño Americano" y cree firmemente que el trabajo arduo y la educación son la clave. Es esta experiencia personal lo que impulsa a Mayra Gutiérrez-Ibarra como líder escolar; su misión es crear entornos de aprendizaje que crean en todos los estudiantes y les brinden las herramientas y los recursos para hacer realidad sus sueños.

¡Mi nombre es Christopher Herrera y estoy emocionado de regresar a Bonham Academy como el orgulloso director! Llevo poco más de una década en el campo de la educación y estoy ansioso por seguir creciendo y aprendiendo junto a la Familia Bonham. Comencé mi carrera docente en Austin ISD en 2012 y me mudé a San Antonio en 2017 para enseñar en Bonham Academy. A lo largo de los años, he trabajado en entornos de primaria y secundaria, y he aprendido mucho de algunos gran líderes. Me apasiona el trabajo que hago y me esfuerzo por empoderar a nuestros estudiantes y sus familias para que alcancen sus esperanzas y sueños. Como graduado de la escuela secundaria y la universidad de primera generación, entiendo de primera mano la importancia de una educación de calidad y dirijo con eso en mente. Todos nuestros estudiantes tienen el potencial de alcanzar la grandeza, y trabajaré para apoyar a nuestros estudiantes y maestros mientras asumen la misión de preparar a nuestras generaciones futuras para lograr el cambio que deseamos ver.

My name is Christopher Herrera, and I'm excited to be returning to Bonham Academy as the proud Principal! I've been in the education field for just over a decade, and I'm eager to continue growing and learning alongside the Bonham Familia. I started my teaching career in Austin ISD in 2012, and I relocated to San Antonio in 2017 to teach at Bonham Academy. Over the years I've worked in elementary and secondary settings, and I've learned a lot from some great leaders. I'm passionate about the work that I do, and I strive to empower our students and their families to reach their hopes and dreams. As a first-generation high school and university graduate, I understand firsthand the importance of a quality education and I lead with that in mind. All our students have the potential to reach greatness, and I will work to support our students and teachers as they take on the mission of preparing our future generations to bring about the change we wish to see.

Board of Trustees

March 28, 2022 - UTSA DL Board Meeting

UTSA Dual Language CLS Partnership Board Meeting August 23, 2022

Erica Lira CastroMrs. Erica Lira Castro | Chairperson of the Board

Mrs. Lira-Castro is a first-generation college student, she earned a bachelor's degree in English, and then went on to receive a master's degree in educational leadership. Erica worked as an elementary school math teacher for over a decade and now serves as an education consultant. She previously worked with Dr. Jill Biden to encourage more Latinos to consider entering the field of teaching. Erica currently works in Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio. She previously served as the Lead Instructional Coach and is now the Human Resources Coordinator of Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), T-TESS, & 504s.

Dr. Yvonne KatzDr. Yvonne Katz | Vice Chairperson of the Board

Dr. Yvonne Katz spent 39 years in public education as a classroom teacher in regular/special education; middle school principal; Director of Accreditation and Associate Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency; superintendent for almost 20 years in the Harlandale ISD, Beaverton School District (Oregon), and Spring Branch ISD (Houston). Understanding the need to continue to support education, she was the organizer and first president of the UTSA Alumni Association and was the first inductee as the Distinguished Alumna. She began the scholarship program for the Alumni Association and challenged all alums to contribute as they have for over 30 years.

Dr. Richard MiddletonDr. Richard Middleton | Board Member

Dr. Middleton is a former North East ISD Superintendent. He graduated from NEISD's Lee High School before getting a bachelor's in history and government from Trinity University and beginning his education career at San Antonio Independent School District's Whittier Middle School in 1972. Soon after, he began teaching history and government at NEISD's Roosevelt High. By 1974, Middleton had earned his master’s in curriculum and instruction at the University of Texas at San Antonio and had become an administrative assistant to NEISD's superintendent. Middleton earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986 and became deputy superintendent for instruction at Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Rosenberg the same year. Middleton returned to NEISD in 1987 as associate superintendent of administrative services and, later, superintendent. For the past three years, North East ISD has been a recognized district under the state's accountability ratings.

Dr. Abelardo VillarrealDr. Abelardo Villarreal | Intercultural Development Research Association

In addition to his impressive work in education spanning pre-K through higher education, Dr. Villarreal has always been drawn to public and community service, a family legacy left by his parents, who were restaurant business owners. His passion for equity, access and excellence in education grew exponentially into lifelong and distinguished leadership in this arena that is nationally recognized. He has taught students from third grade to the university level and served as an elementary school principal and a district director of the secondary curriculum. He has also overseen compliance with Lau regulations with the Office for Civil Rights. Dr. Villarreal is a national leader in school program management, curriculum development, and facilitating innovative models for school change. His deep understanding of family, community, and multi-sector engagement further broadened his horizons into the jewelry business, and in owning stores in Seguin, San Marcos, and San Antonio, another interest which he shares with his wife, as he continues to build a business legacy. He continues passing his impressive skills to his children, all of whom own and are leaders in the business world.

Mrs. Dalia ContrerasMrs. Dalia Contreras | Senior Director of Community Engagement at City Education Partners

Dalia Flores Contreras is the Senior Director of Community Engagement at City Education Partners (CEP). Dalia grew up in the west side of San Antonio and is a graduate of both Palo Alto College (PAC) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She holds a bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies and a master's in educational leadership and Policy Studies from UTSA. She has over 14 years of experience in education and has served in a variety of roles from classroom teacher to Superintendent of schools. She has had the opportunity to study, learn and work in the education ecosystem of Texas, Illinois, and Oklahoma. Dalia is extremely passionate about authentic community engagement and believes in the power of educating, equipping, and empowering families and communities to be advocates and change makers.

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Dual Language FAQ

Dual Language FAQ

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