Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership

¡Piensa que puedes y podras!

The Bilingual Advantage:

Read on UTSA Sombrilla
Sandra De La Garza, assistant director of Dual Language Community Lab School Partnerships; Claudia Treviño García, associate professor of instruction bilingual education residency lead; Bonham Academy Principal Jeff Price; and Juanita Santos, executive director of the partnership, pose for a photo at the Bonham Academy. Michelle Gaitan/University Relations

 

duocommunitylabs.pngUTSA 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.


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UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Leadership


Juanita Santos

 

Juanita Santos, Ed.D

Executive Director

UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership Professional Preparation & Partnerships

 

Sarah DeLagarza

 

Sarah A. De La Garza, Ph.D.

Assistant Director

UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership Professional Preparation & Partnerships

 

Mario Torres

 

Mario Torres, Ph.D.

Partner

Dean of the

College of Education and Human Development 

 


Belinda Flores

 

Belinda Flores, Ph.D.

Partner

Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships, Preparation and Growth, Professor, Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies Principal Investigator & Founder, Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center 

Michael Vriesenga

 

Michael Vriesenga, Ph.D.

Partner

Director for Assessment and Program Accountability at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

 

UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Leadership: Principals


Rebecca DeLeon

 

Rebecca DeLeon

San Antonio Independent School District

Charles Graebner Elementary Principal


Jeff Price

 

Jeff Price

San Antonio Independent School District

James Bonham Academy Principal

Olivia Almanza Pena

 

Olivia Almanza Pena

San Antonio Independent School District

Washington Irving Dual Language Learning Academy Principal

David Garcia

 

David Garcia

San Antonio Independent School District

Mark Twain Dual Language Academy Principal

Welcome Graebner Elementary!

The UTSA 1882 Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership is excited to welcome Graebner Elementary! Graebner serves 670 PreK-5th grade students and 78 staff members. It is the largest elementary school in San Antonio ISD and is lead by principal, Ms. Rebecca DeLeon.

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Names from left to right: Mr. David Garcia, Twain Dual Language Academy Principal Dr. Juanita Santos, Executive Director of 1882 Partnership Mrs. Susan DelToro, Interim Asst. Superintendent for Learning, Language & Literacy Dr. Olivia Hernandez, Retired Interim Asst. Superintendent for Learning, Language & Literacy Ms. Rebecca DeLeon, Graebner Elementary Principal

Building the Dual Language Leader Symposium

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CALLING ALL Superintendents, Principals, and District/Campus Instructional Leaders!

The Building the Dual Language Leader Symposium will provide a safe space for current and aspiring leaders to learn best practices, theory, policy, and systems that support a dual language bilingual education.

Register Here: Symposium 2023

 

UTSA DUAL LANGUAGE 1882 PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING

 

Board Meeting Dates:

  • Tuesday, September 27, 2021, 6:00 pm.
  • Monday, March 28, 2022, 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday, June 21, 2022, 6:00 pm (CANCELLED)
  • Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 6:00 pm
  • Monday, December 12, 2022, 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 6:00 pm

 

Board Agendas

Board Presentations

Board Meeting Zoom Recordings

March 28, 2022 - UTSA DL Board Meeting

 

UTSA Dual Language CLS Partnership Board Meeting August 23, 2022

BoardMemberEricaCastro.JPGMrs. 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.

  

 

 

 

Board-Member-Yvone-Katz.pngDr. 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.

 

  

 

 

Board-Member-Richard-Middleton.pngDr. 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.

 

 

Board-Member-Dr.-Abelardo-Villarreal.pngDr. 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. 

 

Board-Member-Dalia-Contreras.jpgMrs. 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.

 

 

In the News


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Phone: 210-458-4370 | education@utsa.edu