A personal story

From 2011 to 2013 in Austin, Texas, I taught the same group of students two years in a row: as first graders, then as second graders. I loved looping with my students and getting to know them that much more deeply, and push/witness their growth that much further. That class is graduating from high school at the end of the month. “Class of 2023” we called them. It was on our walls, on T-shirts, in chants. 

I should also mention that this class was 90% Hispanic/Latino and Spanish-speakers. It was a two-way dual language immersion school, I was their Spanish immersion teacher, and I had the great fortune of working with a fantastic English immersion teacher who is a dear friend to this day.

One of our students aspired, even at that young age, to study journalism. It made sense to us! She was a strong reader, animated when she spoke and read. She was engaged in read alouds, and she was good at telling stories. 

Three weeks ago, I received a text from her, gathering well wish messages from teachers that class had had throughout their schooling. When I asked her if she still wanted to go into journalism, she said, “Yes, still planning to study journalism!” and informing me that she had earned a full-ride to study at the same college where my grandfather attended on the east coast (well, she didn’t know my grandfather had attended that university, but I did).

She also then gave a speech at a district event, which my friend and former co-teacher sent me a video of. (Since I haven’t lived in Austin since 2015, I wasn’t there). In watching it, I teared up more than once, but most especially where she spoke of her parents having left Mexico behind, and struggling with a school system that had “no patience for a Spanish-speaking household” until they found our school, and enrolled her and her brother there. 

I was moved by her personal story. I was grateful for the opportunity our school environment provided, and I was also sad that that sort of environment is the exception, not the rule. It is something special for students and families to experience a place where their home language is not merely tolerated, but embraced, celebrated, and part of the culture. 

Being a dual language school in central Texas, half our staff were native or fluent Spanish-speakers. But hiring for Spanish fluency is just not a possibility for many schools in our country, including in St. Louis, where I live. To be clear, I love this city, but there is not a plethora of Spanish-speaking educators here. 

However, I do not believe that a dual language school or a native Spanish-speaking staff is a requirement for providing a school environment that celebrates and honors Spanish at home, or bilingualism as a superpower.

What there is a plethora of, both in St. Louis and elsewhere, is a plethora of educators who want to connect with Spanish-speaking families, want to celebrate and honor their home language, and encourage their bilingualism. 

In 2018, I started teaching Spanish for Teachers and Administrators. In 2019, I introduced Spanish for Office Professionals. After a hiatus during the pandemic, in 2022, included school nurses as well.

The participants in those classes were highly motivated, open-hearted, super smart educators. They learned how to say things like, “Welcome! My name is Ms. Truran. How can I help you?,” “Would you like an interpreter?,” “Juan is absent today. Is he okay?,” “Would you like a drink of water?” They didn’t end the class fluent speakers, but they did finish the class capable of creating genuine connection with Spanish-speaking families, showing care for students, and demonstrating that they and the school value Spanish.

Twelve years from now, when first graders are graduating from high school, I believe they will not be describing their school system as one with “no patience for Spanish-speaking households” but as one where they felt welcome, seen, and valued.

To explore a Spanish class for your school or district, just schedule a call to chat, so we can discuss your goals, set dates, and get your staff started speaking Spanish with students sand families!
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I don’t want your staff members to feel awkward when Spanish-speakers enter the building, or to feel like they can’t connect with them except through a third party. Let’s get your staff participating in some engaging and unique PD that allows them to open doors with students and families, and renews their excitement at work!