Bilingual in America

Palma Multilingual Educational Solutions, LLC led by Mario Palma, and his team, Jessica Canul Diaz and Jordan Montalvo, are committed to enhancing multilingual learning nationwide. With over 25 years of expertise, Mario and his team specialize in equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to integrate the science of reading and language acquisition research. Through innovative strategies, equitable assessments, leadership development, and home-based literacy support, educational partnerships with his team foster academic success for Multilingual Learners.

Dr. Audrey Cohan is the Senior Dean for Research, Scholarship, and Graduate Studies at Molloy University, Rockville Centre, New York where she has worked for twenty-nine years, Dr. Cohan began her career as a special education teacher in New York City, working with students with special needs and then went on to pursue certification in TESOL. Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld is TESOL professor at Molloy University, Rockville Centre, New York. Before entering the field of teacher education, she was an English as a Foreign Language teacher in Hungary, an English as a Second Language teacher in New York City, and taught Hungarian at New York University. A Fulbright Scholar and sought-after national presenter, Andrea is a regular guest on our podcast. Today, this powerhouse partnership, who have worked together for two decades, talks about their new book, Collaboration for Multilingual Learners with Exceptionalities: We Share the Students. They discuss why it is important to combine expertise and identify a shared purpose. Don't miss this GEM!

How many Latinos are in the field of aviation? Listen in to hear from Jonathan Tejada who was born and raised in the US by his Colombian parents and became interested in aviation as a young boy when they would travel to Queens, NY to watch planes landing and taking off at LaGuardia Airport. He shares his journey in aviation and how it led him to birth Cafe Avion. Alex Retamozo migrated to the US from Paraguay when he was 6 years old. His love of math and science landed him work as a commercial and military pilot. Listen in to hear how they are opening pathways for others, like them, to take flight!

123 Andrés is a husband-and-wife duo that creates children's music in both English and Spanish. They have performed for audiences across the US as well as in Puerto Rico, Panama, and Mexico. They are performers, songwriters, advocates, authors, podcasters, and teacher trainers. This year, 2024, they won their second Grammy Award for Best Children's Music Album for their album We Grow Together, Crecimos Juntos Children's Songs.

Just like the mariposas monarcas, María Chinchilla left everything that was familiar to migrate from Guatemala to New York at the age of seventeen. In her first published children’s book, Maria Becomes A Butterfly, María beautifully tells the story of how she weathered tormentas, discovered her superpowers, and finally found a sense of belonging. This story will resonate with not only young readers who have their own immigration experience, but also with anyone who has ever struggled to make a new place feel like home.

Angela Alvarez-Cooper and Dr. Laura Florez Gomez, clinicians, advocates, leaders, and everyday experts, talk with us about language acquisition myths that impact students with language delays and language challenges. Listen in and bust these myths, as they have never served our multilingual learners well.

Marla Felton and Sue Spiegel join Bilingual in America to talk about the not-for-profit, Common Circles, founded by Marla Felton. Their interactive exhibit aims to increase empathy, decrease bias and help people find their shared humanity. After conducting extensive research, they have created a multi-faceted experience for students that allows them to learn about the lives of others and, as a result, think about their own lives and personal stories. Listen in to hear about the many layers to each of us and how through connection we thrive.

Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld speaks with us about her soon-to-be released secondary professional resource, Growing Language & Literacy for Grades 6-12. This is a follow-up to her 2019 Heinemann publication by the same title for grades K-8. We discuss her use of TESOL levels, the four areas that she weaves into each chapter, and the added value of lived experiences and linguistic assets of multilingual learners. With Andrea, learning is never finished!

Today we have the distinct honor of speaking with Dr. Alma Flor Ada and Dr. Isabel Campoy, educators, leaders, authors, advocates for multilingual education, and social justice trendsetters. Their children's books and poetry illuminate the richness of the Latino culture and their strong belief in the power of transformation and social justice. Their legacy work continues as they travel the world presenting at educational conferences and continue to write books for educators and children that bring light and transformation.

Judith Aucar, Deputy Director of El Centro Hispano in Westchester, New York, joins us to talk about their 50th anniversary and how they will celebrate this important milestone. El Centro offers services to support all immigrants, regardless of language background, as they begin life in search of a better future. As Judith reflects on the growth of El Centro since its inception, she also shares some of the many classes and services they provide at present. Listen in to hear how this community gem keeps shining brighter and brighter!