Posted on February 15, 2023 by Valerie Bustamante Johnson
The Bilingual Advantage
The partnership between UTSA and SAISD advances dual language education in San Antonio and beyond
If someone were to poke their head into certain classrooms in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), they’d notice something special. They’d see that the students aren’t just learning about history or their multiplication tables in English. Throughout the school day, these students — many as young as pre-kindergarten — are conversing fully in English and Spanish with their teachers and classmates.
These students are part of the Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership. With the teamwork of UTSA and SAISD, the practice of dual language education is advancing and evolving — not only locally in San Antonio but as a model for others across the nation.
For years, the UTSA College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) and SAISD have upheld a relationship of community outreach with the help of Belinda Bustos Flores, associate dean for UTSA strategic partnerships, preparation and growth, and Olivia Hernandez, former SAISD assistant superintendent of bilingual education and ESL. And now in this dual language partnership, there is an opportunity to build on that success by making strides to broaden this important educational practice.
— Valerie Bustamante Johnson
