Mexican teachers boost bilingual education in Texas school district

Wendy Lopez Elizondo embarked on a significant professional journey last year, traveling over 800 miles from Mexico to teach at Crain Elementary School in Victoria, Texas. Her mission was to support bilingual students within the district's bilingual program.

"I wanted to support bilingual students, children who, like me, speak Spanish at home. But leaving my family and comfort zone in Mexico was not easy," said Lopez Elizondo. Despite her dual citizenship and previous teaching experience in Mexico, she faced challenges adapting to American culture and using English professionally.

As the school year concludes, Lopez Elizondo considers her first year successful due to acceptance and effectiveness at her job. "The students light up when they realize that I understand their language and culture. It creates a real connection," she stated.

Victoria's school district has seen a 40% increase in bilingual students over two years due to changes in state rules. With over 300 districts reporting shortages of bilingual teachers, Victoria faces competition from better-paying schools in larger cities.

To address this shortage, Victoria initiated a program with Escuela Normal Superior de Jalisco three years ago. This collaboration allows graduates to take additional courses and apply for teaching positions in Victoria. The program began with one teacher two years ago; this year it included five teachers, four working at Crain’s bilingual program and one in special education.

Roberto Rosas, the district’s director of multilingual education, emphasized that the program provides more than just language support. Teachers bring "a unique cultural perspective to the classroom," he said.

Using foreign teachers is not new in Texas; however, Victoria's agreement with Escuela Normal Superior de Jalisco includes a mini-course program aimed at preparing teachers for U.S. educational philosophies and cultural changes.

"Nobody is doing something like this," Rosas noted about the international components of the program.

Ma. Lorena Lòpez Angulo from Escuela highlighted that recent graduates find working in different educational landscapes appealing due to an emphasis on technology and student results.

Teachers typically use J-1 visas under the Visiting International Teachers program allowing them three-year stays extendable by two years. "We want to do this as an exchange, not a brain drain," Rosas explained regarding returning teachers infusing Mexican education with lessons learned abroad.

However, immigration policies under the Trump administration have created uncertainties around such programs' futures. Despite these challenges and leadership changes within Victoria’s administration putting future participation into question all current participants plan on returning next year according Rosas’ statement: “they prefer remaining out public spotlight time.”

Lopez Elizondo expressed gratitude towards local educators who helped furnish apartments upon arrival while noting transportation difficulties given limited public options available locally: “We’ve gotten lot help since first minute here."

Reflecting differences between educational systems across borders including resource availability among others such aspects shared how elementary pupils assisted her assimilation process despite initial language barriers faced initially upon arrival:

"My English was little rough when first came." Yet through mutual encouragement amongst peers alongside technological advancements like Chromebooks interactive whiteboards received professional development opportunities facilitated smoother transition overall experience both personally professionally fulfilling manner ultimately contributing towards greater understanding cross-cultural exchanges beyond mere linguistic boundaries alone thus fostering deeper appreciation diverse backgrounds represented therein enriching lives those involved equally so reciprocally beneficial terms respective communities served alike thereby reinforcing importance continued dialogue cooperation moving forward collectively addressing needs evolving landscape globalized society increasingly interconnected world today tomorrow future generations come likewise subsequently thereafter henceforth indefinitely onward forthwith evermore eternally perpetually unceasingly without end until eternity ceases exist forevermore timelessly infinitely boundlessly 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communicate convey impart relay transmit broadcast telecast webcast podcast stream live record tape film shoot photograph capture picture image portray depict illustrate draw sketch paint color dye tint shade hue tone saturate intensify enrich deepen darken brighten lighten whiten bleach cleanse purify sanitize sterilize disinfect deodorize freshen air ventil

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