Our Impact- Spotlight on DLD Alumni
Alumni Testimonials
Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)
1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?
My Master's Degree in Dual Language has helped me reach my goal of working as a TOSA at a Dual Language School. It is my dream to continue to learn about school Administration and someday work at a college or University.
2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?
My current position is a TOSA (teacher on special assignment). I support teachers by providing professional development, model lessons, support with testing, and work collaboratively with principals to help support staff in any way possible.
3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?
Don’t give up on your dreams and enjoy the process. You will learn things that you never thought possible. It will transform your views and will get a chance to research an area that really excites you. For me that was the brain and how our neurology is transformed by being bilingual.
4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?
My favorite part was graduation day. Graduation when my dream became a reality. I will never forget it.
First Grade Dual Language Teacher
1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?
As a teacher in dual language, it has improved my income and confidence
2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?
I am a first-grade dual language teacher in Westminster.
3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?
Some advice: it is so much more than just two languages, it is cultural, personal and above all important. It centers around the student, and who they already are and need to become.
4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?
My wonderful cohort, who made obtaining my degree possible, and my wonderful professors who went above and beyond to help me understand and challenge me to think bigger and greater constantly.
Bilingual Vietnamese High School Teacher
1. How has obtaining this degree and/or credential positively affected your employment experiences and life overall?
The Dual Language Development program develops a pathway for me to get to know my skillset and the understanding of where I come from in a bilingual family. The courses give insight into the theories and contexts inside the classroom that allow me to do what I can do as a new teacher in a bilingual setting.
2. Where are you currently working and what is your title/position?
I am currently working as a bilingual Vietnamese high school teacher at a charter school College Prep. in San Jose. Meanwhile, I am refining my teaching methods and focusing on the needs and aspirations of my students.
3. What advice do you have for a prospective student to your program?
I would say that you can learn a lot at school and in space with your colleagues. It is integral to be actively engaged in tailoring your teaching methods to accommodate the diverse learning styles and abilities of students in the school district where you serve, proactively asking questions to understand the educational system better because it feels very different when you are in school versus when you are on the job and having to meet the needs of students. Students are learning and so are we as agents of change. I would also recommend taking ample time to nourish your well-being and be an active member of your educational community. Participate in school events, extracurricular activities, and community outreach programs to strengthen your connection with students, staff, and the broader community.
4. What was your favorite/most memorable part of being a graduate student at CSULB?
I enjoy meeting professors after working hours and being ready for class discussion, celebrating the diverse cultures of classmates, and learning from their unique educational experiences as well as academic endeavors.
Awards & Publications
- Delia Stephanie Mariscal, 2018
- Ngoc Tran, 2016
- Megan Alva, 2014
- Lucero Chavez, 2012
- Ann Bui and Veronica Zendejas (Class of 2013) presented at the California Association for Bilingual Education in Long Beach, California with DLD Prof. Trini Lewis a presentation entitled "The Role of Action Research for Improving Literacy Practices of Special Needs, Bilingual, and Spanish-speaking Students."
- Lucero Chavez, Anamay Delreal, and Georgina Perez (Class 2010) presented at the California Association for Bilingual Education in Long Beach, California with DLD Prof. Trini Lewis a presentation entitled "Improving Differentiated Instruction through Assessment Practices and Action Research in English learner and Bilingual Classroom Settings."
- Andrea Crawford, Ericka Garcia, Rachel Rockwell, Esmeralda Rosas and Young Hee (Class of 2011) presented their findings from one of their graduate courses at the 32nd Ethnography Forum at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The final analysis, results, and conclusions of the participant observation case studies were shared on a panel entitled: “Biliteracy Development in the Homes of Bilingual Children in Dual Language Immersion Schools in SO CAL: Implications for Hybridization in Biliteracy Instruction.” The graduate candidate’s panel was moderated by DLD Prof. Olga Rubio.
- Christine D'Aquanni, Maggie Solorzano and Jackie Torres (Class of 2008), with Professor Leslie Reese, presented a workshop at the 7th Annual International Reading Association in Guatemala entitled "Action Research in Bilingual Classrooms/La investigacion accion en salones bilingues."
- Esmeralda Ramos (Class of 2008) co-authored a chapter with Prof. Trini Lewis entitled "Improving Collaboration with Hard to Reach Parents in an English Language Learner Population: One Teacher's Exploration." The chapter appeared in an International Reading Association Publication entitled One Classroom, Many Learners: Best Practices in Today's Multilingual Classrooms.
