SAN JOSE, CA – On April 22nd, the Santa Clara County Office of Education hosted the 2021 Santa Clara County National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month, with Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools, officiating. The event focused on the theme Multilingualism & the Pandemic: Lessons Learned & Moving Forward.
Several speakers discussed their signature practices in serving multilingual students during the pandemic. Emily Francis, an English as second language teacher at Concord High School in Cabarrus County School in North Carolina; Teacher on Special Assignment at Fisher Middle School, Katherine Grunewald; and Norma Morales, Latino Community Liaison, Milpitas Unified School District, shared valuable lessons learned during the pandemic. This celebration also recognized students, districts, and teams of champions, for valuing diversity and promoting opportunities to develop multilingual skills and access to high-quality education.
Dr. Dewan emphasized the importance of using an assets-oriented approach in serving our bilingual, multilingual students. “There are over 60 languages spoken by students in Santa Clara County. As educators, it is vital that we acknowledge and embrace the many contributions these students and their families bring to the classroom environment, and the learning opportunities we all benefit from.”
The event ended with Dr. Dewan inviting educators, students, parents, and school board members sharing what advocacy month means to them through social media.
Please view the event now archived and available on bit.ly/multilingualadvocacy2021.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
