This is a story from a Colorado education publication about an elementary teacher working to expand opportunities for bilingual students. Loya Hernández grew up in the San Luis Valley in Colorado, where as a second grader, she was made to color in a coloring book when her non-Spanish speaking teacher didn't really know what to do with her. "My parents were never able to go to my school when I was a child as they worked all day in the lettuce or potato fields and arrived late from work. They had no medical care or benefits, so they could not afford to miss work." Today, Hernández aims for 100% attendance at parent-teacher conferences, even if it means going to her children's homes. 

By middle school, Loya Hernández was pulled for advanced math class, and she also began taking other advanced classes. 

The story offers much food for thought, including some of the following lines:

• The systems of oppression in all realms of students’ lives. Racist manifestations include dual-language programs tailored to white families. 
• Bilingual students continue to be overrepresented in special education, discipline referrals, and alternative schools with technical tracks instead of pre-collegiate programs and AP/IB coursework. They are underrepresented in advanced coursework in all areas, including Spanish. [Often], they are not identified as gifted and talented.
• Most district and school leaders do not focus on the high end of achievement. There is an urgency to work on the “gap,” but, that does little to improve a school. 

What stories can you share about similar experiences with gifted bilingual students in your educational settings?

The Library of Congress has a nice little collection of FSA photos of the San Luis Valley, by the way. I hope the photo below will help you picture the landscape where Loya Hernández grew up. Whenever I've driven through the San Luis Valley, I notice many truck farms. Do your students know what a truck farm is? 

San Luis, oldest town in Colorado

Note: With apologies for the political statements toward the end, I found the bulk of the article to be inspirational and well worth considering. Members of the TPS Teachers Network work hard to keep all conversations professional and a-political, but we do not steer clear of difficult or controversial topics in history, in the news, or in education. 

  Pre K - 2    3 - 5    6 - 8    9 - 12    Bilingual Education/ESL    gifted education    San Luis Valley, Colorado