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
Associate Dean for Strategic Partnership, Preparation and Growth
Professor
Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES
Dean, College of Education and Human Development President's Distinguished Professorship
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
Dates of 1882 Community Meetings:
- Bonham: October 24, 2024
- Twain: January 28, 2025
- Graebner: December 12, 2025
- Irving: March 26, 2025
1882 Board Meetings:
Due to a board member stepping down, we have launched a search initiative to add two new board members who align with the dual language mission of our partnership. We will meet with the final candidate after spring break, vote on the new members, and once quorum is reached, plan a board meeting, which will be announced on the website.
UTSA 1882 Dual Language Partnership Survey Results:
Current Research at Bonham and Other Community Lab Schools:
No current research taking place at Bonham and Irving. Research at Twain; Dr. Katy Henderson and Dr. Claudia Cabrera on Dual Language Research at Graebner and Twain; Dr. Araceli Ortiz on Biomedical Engineering Superheroes Counseling Graduate Student program at Irving. Travis Early College High School's Travis Future Educators program site is Bonham Academy, Graebner and Twain.
Coaching and Mentorship for 1882 Teachers:
Administrators and Instructional Coaches provide regular feedback sessions for teachers, where instructional walkthroughs, resources, and professional development plans are reviewed, ensuring continuous growth and alignment with instructional goals.
Plans for the Next School Year and UTSA’s Responsibility:
Each month we hold a strategic planning session with all 1882 Principals to define shared goals and allocate responsibilities. We will set clear expectations for the upcoming year during our scheduled retreat on June 4, 2025.
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
Puntos De Conversación/Talking Points
Modelo Innovador de Doble Idioma
La asociación establece una red de escuelas con un modelo de doble idioma destinada a mejorar la educación de los estudiantes bilingües en San Antonio. Las escuelas actúan como líderes en la implementación de prácticas efectivas de doble idioma que preparan a los educadores para servir mejor a sus estudiantes
Enfoque de Inmersión 80/20
Las escuelas participantes siguen un modelo de inmersión en doble idioma 80/20, donde los estudiantes de pre-kinder aprenden principalmente en español (80%) con una incorporación gradual del inglés. A partir del cuarto grado, el modelo cambia a un equilibrio 50/50. Este enfoque ayuda a los estudiantes hispanohablantes a mantener su base lingüística mientras aprenden inglés con éxito, asegurando que no se queden atrás académicamente.
Conectando Teoría y Práctica
La asociación UTSA/SAISD se centra en cerrar la brecha entre la teoría educativa y la práctica en el aula. A través de la colaboración, la investigación y la participación comunitaria, la asociación promueve el avance de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje, beneficiando en última instancia tanto a los educadores como a los estudiantes.
Opciones de Aprendizaje Diversas
La asociación de doble idioma no significa que todas las aulas enseñarán exclusivamente en español. Las escuelas tienen la flexibilidad de elegir un modelo de doble idioma, ofreciendo tanto clases monolingües como de doble idioma en cada nivel de grado.
Dual Language Model
The partnership establishes a dual language model school network aimed at enhancing the education of bilingual students in San Antonio. Schools serve as leaders in implementing effective dual language practices that prepare educators to better serve their students.
80/20 Immersion Approach
The participating schools follow an 80/20 dual language immersion model, where pre-K students learn primarily in Spanish (80% with gradual incorporation of English. By fourth grade, the model shifts to a 50/50 balance. This approach helps Spanish-speaking students maintain their language foundation while successfully learning English, ensuring they do not fall behind academically.
Bridging Theory and Practice
The UTSA/SAISD partnership focuses on closing the gap between educational theory and classroom practice. Through collaboration, research, and community engagement, the partnership promotes the advancement of teaching and learning, ultimately benefiting both educators and students.
Diverse Learning Options
The dual language partnership does not mean all classrooms will exclusively teach in Spanish. Schools have the flexibility to choose a dual language strand, offering both monolingual and dual language classes at each grade level.
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
