Indiana Dual Language Newsletter
May 2020
Spotlight School: West View Elementary School
West View Elementary operates as an 80/20 one-way dual language model serving grades K-2. Sra. Katie Strohm Morales is the kindergarten teacher, and has been with the DL program from its inception. She is an area native who earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from Earlham College and her teaching certificate from Indiana Wesleyan University. Sra. Kathy Ramos is the 1st grade teacher who is in her first year of teaching in the program. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Marshall University in Elementary Education and Middle School Spanish Education, and she earned her Master’s Degree in TESOL and Linguistics from Ball State University. Prior to coming to West View Elementary, she spent 15 years as a teacher and administrator at Ball State University working with non-native English speaking students. Sra. Kelsey Pavelka is the 2nd grade teacher, and is in her second year of the program. She grew up in Puerto Rico where she was immersed in Spanish and quickly acquired her second language. Kelsey studied Spanish and International Studies in undergrad, then went on to earn her Master’s in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
A challenge that West View Elementary has experienced has been finding teachers as the program grows each year. A success has been that the program has been exceptionally well-received, and the students are not only acquiring the language, but they are also gaining confidence and becoming culturally competent. The DLI teachers have found the partnership with Indiana University, led by Vesna Dimitrieska, as an incredible resource. From direct PD and teacher mentorship to program evaluation and marketing, Vesna has been a go-to expert in the development over the last three years. New teachers have found that observing other DL programs has been one of the most beneficial trainings for their current needs. It opens their eyes to the universal struggles of DL instructors, normalizes their experience, and opens their eyes to new possibilities.
Family engagement has also been important to West View Elementary. They have hosted monthly family nights which have included information, activities, and snacks for attendees. The teachers do a phenomenal job of preparing for these opportunities for our families, and they have parents who have provided their testaments on the program for prospective applicants. There is a strong sense of community in and outside of the program as many of the teachers, especially specials teachers, have integrated Spanish content into their instruction for ALL students. Beyond the school walls, community institutions and organizations seek to partner with the program to enhance their individual efforts as well. Hosting bilingual story-time at the local public library and presenting on building cultural bridges at a Ball State University Mexican Art exhibit are just two examples.
2020 IU Virtual Dual Language Summer Institute
The IU Dual Language Summer Institute will be virtual this year and take place from June 8 to June 11. Below are the sessions. Please see the attached flyer for more information!
- “Bringing Leaders to the Table: Building and sustaining exceptional Dual Language
Immersion Programs”
- “No Child Left Monolingual”
- ”Working with children with speech and language disorders in a language
immersion context: Strategies for enhancing learning and cross-disciplinary
collaboration”
- “Culturally responsive teaching and curriculum planning in dual language
programs”
NAELPA Dual Language Webinar
We Need You!
Update from Pilar Lara
IFLTA
ON THE HORIZON: "IFLTA-hursdays with ILR" presents Nation's Best of the Best WL Teaching and Learning Series
- Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m. ET: "Leveraging Technology to Enhance Language Teaching.", Ying Jin (CA), 2018 ACTFL National Teacher of the Year
- Thursday, May 14, 4 p.m. ET: 2019 ACTFL National World Language Teacher of the Year Rebecca Aubrey (CT)
- Thursday, May 21, 4 p.m. ET, Vesna Dimitrieska, Dual Language Institute, Indiana Distinguished Presenter
- Thursday, May 28, 4 p.m. ET: 2020 ACTFL National World Language Teacher of the Year Finalist Melanie Mello (AZ)
"IFLTA EXTRA PD BOOST with ILR" presents Nation's Best of the Best WL Teaching and Learning Series
- Monday, May 11, 6 p.m. ET, Catherine Ousselin, 2018 ACTFL National World Language Teacher of the Year Finalist (WA)
- Monday, May 18, 6 p.m. ET, Heidi Trude, 2019 ACTFL National World Language Teacher of the Year Finalist (VA)
- Monday, May 25, 6 p.m. ET, Toni Theisen, 2009 ACTFL National World Language Teacher of the Year (CO)
Register at Bit.ly/IFLTAwebinar2020.
Extension for the 2020-2021 Indiana Dual Language Pilot Program Grant
Grow Your Own Programs
OCWLP Online Teaching Resource
Indiana Dual Language & EL Specialist
Email: nleach@doe.in.gov
Website: https://www.doe.in.gov/standards/dual-language
Phone: 3172320572
Twitter: @NicoleNLeach