The Bilingual Advantage
The partnership between UTSA and SAISD advances dual language education in San Antonio and beyond.
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.
UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Leadership:Leadership
UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Leadership: Principals
Graebner Elementary Principal
Mark Twain Dual Language Academy Principal
Washington Irving Dual Language Academy Principal
Bonham Elementary Principal
Board of Trustees
UTSA Dual Language 1882 Partnership Board Meeting
Board Meeting Dates:
- Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 6:00 pm
Board Agendas
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice - 09/27/2021
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice - 03/28/2022
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice - 06/21/2022, Cancelled: Notice of Cancellation
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice - 08/23/2022
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice - 12/12/2022 (ENGLISH)
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice - 12/12/2022 (SPANISH)
- Board Meeting Agenda/Notice (English) - 07/25/2023
- Aviso de reunión de la mesa directiva (Espanol) - 07/25/2023
Board Presentations
March 28, 2022 - UTSA DL Board Meeting
UTSA Dual Language CLS Partnership Board Meeting August 23, 2022
Mrs. 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 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 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 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 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.
More Information
In the News
- 3rd Quarterly Newsletter 23-22 ENG/SPAN
- 2022-23 2nd Quarterly Newsletter (English)
- 2022-23 2nd Quarterly Newsletter (Spanish)
- 2022-23 1st Quarterly Newsletter
- 2021-22 November Newsletter
- 2021-22 2nd Quarterly Newsletter
- The Bilingual Advantage: The partnership between UTSA and SAISD advances dual language education in San Antonio and beyond
- UTSA partners with SAISD to establish Dual Language Community Lab Schools
- UTSA hires leader to build bilingual education partnership with San Antonio ISD
- San Antonio ISD’s biggest elementary school might be the next campus to partner with UTSA
- Dual language academy provides opportunity for migrant families
