Bilingual in America

While we are resting and recharging over the summer we are also working behind the scenes to get ready for Season 4. Listen in to meet Gaby Maldonado and hear who she is and what gifts she is bringing to BiLingual in America.

While Mariachi bands date back to 18th-century Mexico, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the music transformed regional folk music into more of an urban phenomenon. During Season 2 of Bilingual in America, we first introduced the White Plains, NY High School Mariachi band as part of our episode titled "Music as a Global Language". Today’s episode goes a bit deeper as we hear from student musicians and Teacher Director extraordinaire, Zachary May. White Plains High School is proud to have been the first Mariachi high school band in New York State. Its members are now celebrating their 9th year as performers. The bands' student musicians hail from Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. Let's listen in to hear about the White Plains High School Mariachi Band family, where student musicians Emiliano, Pamela, Angel, and their bandmates reveal their passion for music, the importance of having fun while performing, and so much more.

Bilingual children’s book author Maria Twena is a second-generation Latina, who felt very much like an outsider while growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana where she was balancing two languages and two cultures. Maria is the creator of the book series, MariVi: The Master Navigator, which will now also be featured as an animated series for TV. Through her longitudinal book series, Maria gives bilingual/bicultural children, like herself, a place where they can authentically see themselves, exercising the role that they often play in their families. Listen in to hear her thoughts on the collectivist ethos, culture clash, and being a Sherpa for her parents.

Flor Bromley is a bilingual songstress originally from Peru. She is signed with 8 Pound Gorilla Records and has released three family albums. Her work has been praised by The Recording Academy, Red Tricycle, Broadway Workd, Parents Latina, Rockmommy, and The Toybook, among others. Her songs have been featured and played on the top 13 of Kids Place Live Sirius XM. In 2022 her album, Fiesta Global, was named an official selection of Notable Works for Children by the American Library Association. She is a NAPPA 2022 Award winner and a USA songwriting competition finalist. For more info please visit florbromleymusic.com.

Areli Morales Romero was born in Puebla, Mexico, but was raised in New York City. She is a DACA recipient, and Areli Is a Dreamer is her debut children's book. A graduate of CUNY-Brooklyn College with a Bachelor's degree in childhood bilingual education, she currently works as a preschool teacher. Join us as Areli shares her story of living the life of a Dreamer.

Karlyn Tabb currently works at the German International School in White Plains, NY. Students attending the school learn language in a variety of ways. Some come from homes where German is not spoken or even part of their family tree. Karlyn, although not a native speaker, has family ties to Germany and that is what sparked her interest to learn the language during her childhood. She is a language lover and has been interested in the beauty of language and culture since her youth. Karlyn has traveled and lived abroad, which in turn helped her grow her linguistic skill set. She is the proud mom of two children who have embraced German and Spanish thanks to the cocoon of language she, with the support of her husband, has created in her home.

Mayor Thomas Roach was born in White Plains, NY, and currently resides there with his family. He received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany and his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He was the first person in his family to earn a four-year degree and is a product of the public education system from kindergarten through his law degree. Mayor Roach began his legal career with the Legal Aid Society in the Bronx and then later entered private practice in Westchester County, specializing in trial work. In 2001, he was elected to the White Plains Common Council. In 2013, he won his first full term as Mayor of White Plains. Today we discuss how living in a multicultural community is a great gift and how diversity is a resource!

Dr. Rocio del Castillo and Dr. Julia Cloat are changing the multilingual dual language landscape. Together, they have co-authored their first book, Teaching Reading in Spanish: A Linguistically Authentic Framework for Emerging Multilinguals. In addition, they have co-founded Via Educational Consulting, whose mission is to provide practical and equitable solutions to schools and districts on the path toward culturally and linguistically responsive education. As educational leaders, they are inspirational and 'just on time' in addressing the needs of our dual language teachers.

We are closing March, Women's Herstory Month, with a bang! Jacarina Soto is a first-generation Afro-Dominican American who went from getting her college degree and working in corporate America to living a purposeful life running her own spiritually directed business. Jacarina is a trauma-informed holistic coach and Master Energy Healing Guide. She is dedicated to helping others show up as better versions of themselves. Yarina and I experienced the healing touch of Jacarina at a wellness retreat and knew we had to invite her to BiLingual in America to share her voice and her gifts. Listen...Breathe...Enjoy.

Susan Bretti, Thought Leader and Director of the Changing Suburbs Institute, shares all the details of the upcoming, once again in-person, 17th Annual Educational Forum. The forum is hosted by Manhattanville College in New York and will focus on Culturally Responsive Teaching. The conference guest keynote speakers will be Dr. Yolanda Sealy-Ruiz, Associate Professor at Teacher's College, Columbia University, and Elisa Alvarez, Associate Commissioner for the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages.  The annual Educational Forum will take place on March 24, 2023, at Manhattanville College. Registration is now open for the various workshops and presentations on the conference theme, Culturally Responsive Sustaining Pedagogy. Listen in!