Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) participated in the La Cosecha Dual Language Conference held in Santa Fe, demonstrating its dedication to bilingual education. The conference gathered educators, parents, researchers, and advocates of dual-language education to discuss innovative methods for promoting bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural understanding.
SFPS engaged in various presentations and panels that highlighted its leadership in dual language education. In a panel titled "Dual Language Education Foundations for State, District, and School Leadership: Bilingual Multicultural Program Snapshot in the SFPS District," district leaders shared insights into their comprehensive bilingual programs. They discussed strategies for effective leadership and implementation at different levels.
Gary Bass from Chaparral Elementary and Thomas Tison from El Camino Real Academy presented "Walk and Roll: To Save the Planet," focusing on environmental stewardship and community-driven initiatives to promote sustainability among students.
During the Student Leadership Institute, SFPS students joined Daniel Pastrana, Executive Director of the SFPS Language and Culture Department, in a panel discussion. Pastrana stated, “Our students are the heart of our mission,” emphasizing their role in advancing bilingual education.
Alba Pages Fortuny and Jovana González Montes from César Chávez Elementary shared their teaching methods in a session on classroom gamification. Natalia Jacquez from El Camino Real demonstrated how combining cultural creativity with technology can engage students through Alebrijes and Arduino Micro Controllers.
The conference also featured a presentation on SFPS’ Summer Spanish Immersion Program. This program focuses on Spanish-language development through interactive lessons about New Mexico’s culture while integrating mathematics and language arts with support from high school tutors.
The SFPS Language & Culture team presented on aligning instruction across two languages within their dual language programs. The presentation highlighted collective decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and professional development as key factors in strengthening these programs.
SFPS leaders advocated for bilingual education policies during another session focused on supporting dual-language programs at state and local levels.
Through its active participation at La Cosecha, SFPS showcased its commitment to bilingual education. Pastrana remarked that events like this remind us of "the power of collaboration and innovation" in achieving educational goals.
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