Cultural Connections Lab

Alicia Stevens-Blair is an educational consultant, advocate, and cofounder of SustainED LLC, dedicated to empowering students and equipping educators with the tools they need to succeed. Throughout her career, she has championed the use of innovative educational resources—including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence—to create inclusive and dynamic learning environments that inspire both students and teachers.Tracy Hoover is an experienced educator, instructional coach, and lifelong learner who has proudly called Oklahoma home for the past 18 years. Originally from sunny Southern California, her early passion for science and love of animals initially inspired dreams of a career in veterinary medicine. However, she soon discovered her true calling in education—where she could ignite curiosity and inspire lifelong learning in others.Stephanie Skidmore is a dedicated educator and instructional leader with a passion for helping students and teachers reach their fullest potential. Originally from Colorado, she came to Oklahoma for college and then began her teaching journey in Moscow, Russia—a transformative experience that deepened her commitment to building meaningful relationships and fostering student growth.SustainED Impact Consulting

Today’s guest is Miguel A. Briones, an award-winning educator, community organizer, public speaker, and author. Miguel is also the founder of Know Culture Publishing, established in 2023 with the mission to empower marginalized communities impacted by generational trauma, systemic inequities, and cultural displacement. Through its work, Know Culture Publishing creates opportunities to share diverse stories, provide access to critical resources, and preserve local history, fostering a stronger sense of belonging through literature, performances, and heritage preservation. The organization also offers tailored content that addresses the social-emotional needs of individuals and families, providing practical strategies for building resilience and confidence while navigating life’s challenges. One of its upcoming projects, ¿Por qué Hoy?: Lupe Garcia and the East Austin IMOM’s, documents and honors the history and advocacy of grassroots changemakers, preserving their legacy for future generations.Miguel Briones, who was born and raised in Central El Paso, Texas, credits his early life as a "travieso" with shaping the stories and cultural experiences that now inform his work. As the self-published author and illustrator of the bilingual children’s book Como Mi Padrino, Miguel has received the Honorable Mention Award for Best Latino-Themed Young Adult Book of 2023 from the International Latino Book Awards. His follow-up book, Macho No Machismo, has been widely acclaimed and added to over 30 public and school libraries across Texas. Through his writing and illustrations, Miguel’s hope is to inspire and empower future generations by uplifting the lived experiences, voices, and stories of Chicanos, Hispanics, Latinos, and all members of the Spanish-speaking community.When he’s not writing or illustrating, Miguel enjoys writing music, volunteering with local and national organizations, and writing about himself in the third person. Whether through storytelling, publishing, or advocacy, Miguel is committed to amplifying voices, preserving culture, and helping communities heal and thrive.Website: https://www.miguelbrioneswrites.com/ LinkedInInstagram

Samuel Aguirre is the Senior Director of the Consortium and State Relations Department at WIDA. His team engages and supports WIDA Consortium member states to ensure successful implementation of all WIDA products and services. The Consortium and States Relations team also engages and facilitates state expertise within WIDA to deliver high quality products and services for multilingual learners and their educators. Sam’s life experiences as an immigrant and language learner in the U.S., work as a classroom educator, advocate working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and director of multilingual student services at a state education agency provide a strong foundation for his role at WIDA. Sam joined WIDA in fall of 2019 as director of WIDA Español and transitioned to his current role in August 2024. Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in Bilingual Bicultural Elementary Education from Northeastern Illinois University and a masters in Second Language Studies with a concentration in Engaged Language Policy and Practice from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Sam is currently completing a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Bilingual Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.E-mail: [email protected] LinkedIn WIDA Webinars

Explore how digital-age teaching strategies can transform learning for multilingual and multicultural students in this engaging podcast. We’ll uncover the advantages of flipped learning and discuss how to design equitable approaches that meet the needs of diverse learners. Dive into practical methods for balancing the six language domains—listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and visually representing—within innovative, tech-enhanced curricula.Learn how to craft assessments that foster critical thinking and creativity, and discover the power of virtual communities in enhancing collaboration between students, parents, and educators. Finally, we’ll examine how schools can create holistic digital ecosystems that ensure equitable access while celebrating the linguistic richness of all students. Perfect for educators, administrators, and advocates committed to inclusive, forward-thinking education!Links:Digital-Age Teaching for English Learners and Appendices & Resources

David Rogers supports the work of Dual Language Education of New Mexico-DLeNM whose mission is to promote the effective design and implementation of dual language education in New Mexico, and beyond. In his thirty-five years as an educator, David has served as an education volunteer and program coordinator in Peace Corps Paraguay, South America, a bilingual special education teacher in South Bronx, NY, and as a dual language classroom teacher, bilingual program coordinator, and school principal in the South Valley of Albuquerque. In 1996 David and his colleagues helped to organize the first La Cosecha Dual Language Conference, which was hosted by DLeNM, where David served from 1999 until 2022 as its first Executive Director. David is an advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and has provided leadership support for advocacy groups like Transform Education New Mexico and NM Hispanic Education Advisory Council, and NCEL. David is husband to dual language educator Rosie González-Rogers, and together they have four bilingual/multicultural daughters and call Albuquerque, New Mexico their home.www.dlenm.orghttps://www.lacosechaconference.org/

Dr. Jobi Lawrence has almost three decades of experience working across all levels in the field of education and as a parent to three grown adult children. From her early career at the local level as a classroom teacher, to serving as the Title III Director at a state education agency, to her role at the national level as the Director for the National Clearinghouse of English Language Acquisition (NCELA) to her current role as the Director of Product Development and Strategic Partnerships for UCLA-CRESST (The National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing), (supporting ELPA21) she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with students and families. Dr. Lawrence has developed and delivered professional development, publications, guidance documents, and toolkits for use with a variety of education stakeholders to meet the needs of diverse students and their families. She has conducted program evaluations in more than 300 (urban, suburban, and rural) schools across the country over the past 30 years.Connect with Dr. Lawrence on LinkedIn and check out her podcast called Assets.You can also find her article titled Being True to Form at this link.

Okhee Lee is a professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. She is committed to advancing research, policy, and practice that promote STEM and language learning for all students, particularly multilingual learners. Lee was a member of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) writing team and served as leader for the NGSS Diversity and Equity Team. She also was a member of the Steering Committee for the Understanding Language Initiative at Stanford University. Her work involves integrating science, language, and computational thinking with a focus on multilingual learners. Her latest work addresses justice-centered STEM education with multilingual learners by integrating multiple STEM subjects, including data science and computer science, to address societal challenges using the case of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the early 1990s, her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation.Lee brings research and policy to practice. Her team developed a yearlong fifth-grade science curriculum called Science And Integrated Language, or SAIL, that translates contemporary science standards into classroom practice with multilingual learners. The curriculum is in a field trial at New York City Public Schools with funding from the National Science Foundation. Using the SAIL curriculum, Lee’s team published teacher resources in collaboration with the New York State Education Department. In addition, her team published teacher resources in collaboration with the National Science Teaching Association and made them available across the country and internationally.Lee provides leadership for major organizations and institutions across multiple fields, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Educational Research Association, Center for Applied Linguistics, National Academy of Education, National Association for Research in Science Teaching, National Science Foundation, New York State Boards of Cooperative Education Services, New York State Education Department, and New York City Department of Education.For more information, please visit:https://www.nyusail.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okhee_Lee https://wikitia.com/wiki/Okhee_Leehttps://www.okheelee.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmptRBGO6G6yl4Ph0n7Pr_w/featuredhttps://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/okhee-lee Latest Article: Transforming STEM by Focusing on Justice

Michael Rodríguez is the Executive Director of Dual Language Education of NM (DLeNM). For six years, he served as the organization's director of operations, heading up and expanding its Program Design and Leadership Development offerings while supporting schools, districts, and state agencies across the country to create quality, sustainable dual language programs. During his fifteen years as a school administrator, he helped to establish and operate three different dual language programs in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas. In his current role, Michael leads an experienced team of dual language educator-trainers who provide professional development in support of quality instruction for language learners and effective dual language program design. DLeNM is also host to the country’s largest dual language conference annually, in New Mexico.Azul Cortes (Huasteco/Tepehuan) is the Director of Heritage Languages at DLeNM. With Master’s degrees in Bilingual, Secondary and Special Education, Azul is passionate about language, community and cultural identity. He is currently a Doctoral Student at UNM’s Language Literacy and Sociocultural Studies with his research focusing on the maintenance and revitalization of the heritage language through cultural Identity. Azul has worked as a Clinical Research Educator at the University of New Mexico’s College of Education Elementary Education in the area of Teacher Preparation and in numerous indigenous communities with linguistically and culturally diverse youth through the Bureau of Indian Education and in México. He continues to work with grassroots organizations, La Plazita Institute in Albuquerque and Homeboy Industries in East Los Angeles who dedicate services to adjudicated youths and young adults. Current work highlights language maintenance and revitalization efforts through an indigenous lens that centers culture and language as the voice of the community and the land in which they reside.You can contact Michael Rodriguez and José "Azul" Cortés via their LinkedIn Accounts:Michael RodriguezJosé "Azul" Cortésor email:[email protected]@dlenm.org

Montserrat Garibay is the Assistant Deputy Secretary & Director for the Office of English Language Acquisition at the U.S. Department of Education. More recently, she was the Senior Advisor for Labor Relations at the Office of the Secretary. She was the secretary-treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO. Previously, she served as vice president for Certified Employees with Education Austin, a merged union local with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and the American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations. An activist on education and immigration issues, Garibay came to the U.S. from Mexico City as an undocumented immigrant and became a citizen 20 years later. She has been instrumental in promoting opportunities for all students, including those from immigrant families. She promoted passage of the Texas version of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. A bilingual pre-kindergarten teacher for eight years and National Board-Certified Teacher, she is a graduate of the National Labor Leadership Initiative with the Worker Institute at Cornell University. Garibay is a University of Texas -Austin graduate with a master’s degree in Education.

Liz Howard is an associate professor of bilingual education in the department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her current research focuses on the development of sociocultural competence among dual language students in the U.S. and Costa Rica, and she was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the development of sociocultural competence among dual language students and its relationship to equitable bilingualism and biliteracy outcomes. Previously, she has served as the principal investigator or co-PI of three large-scale, federally funded studies of the literacy development of Spanish-English bilinguals – a recently completed study of argument writing among Latino 4th grade students, a cross-linguistic vocabulary intervention for middle schoolers, and a longitudinal study focusing on cross-linguistic influences on the spelling development of students in the upper elementary grades. She was also the co-PI of a faculty learning community designed to build the capacity of teacher education faculty members to support pre-service teachers’ learning about emergent bilinguals. Prior to coming to UConn, she was a senior research associate with the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) in Washington, DC, where she directed a number of projects related to dual language education and biliteracy development, including the longitudinal CREDE Study of Two-Way Immersion. In addition, she has worked as a bilingual elementary school teacher in California and Costa Rica, and has also taught adult ESL and literacy courses as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica.Shera Simpson is a dynamic educator, administrator, coach, and entrepreneur deeply committed to advancing the field of dual-language education. She is the co-author of the groundbreaking book, "Dual Language Tandem Teaching: Coordinating Instruction across Languages through Cross-linguistic Pedagogies," the first installment of a transformative three-part series reshaping the landscape of bilingual instruction. A respected presence at prestigious dual-language conferences nationwide, including La Cosecha, CABE, and the Southern New England Regional Dual Language Conference, Shera delivers compelling presentations that motivate educators to explore innovation and cultivate cross-linguistic collaboration in their classrooms. As the co-founder of Dual Language Connections, LLC, a woman-owned consulting firm, Shera is on a mission to empower teachers and schools, equipping them with the essential tools and strategies needed to enhance relationships and elevate instruction across languages. Beyond her influential consulting work, Shera is a co-founder of "Outside The Box (OTB) Learning Laboratory," an innovative dual-language, community-based alternative educational center situated in Brasilito, Costa Rica. Her visionary leadership has created a nurturing space where students thrive, immersing themselves in the richness of bilingualism and community engagement. Originally from South Carolina, Shera has called Costa Rica home for over a decade, residing there with her partner and daughter. When not immersed in her professional pursuits, she finds joy in learning more about the world through travel, embarking on adventurous hikes, and savoring the serenity of the beach.Tandem Teachers WebsiteInstagramFacebook

Heather Graham is currently the Multilingual Coordinator for Bethany Public Schools in Oklahoma. She has previously worked as a School Counselor, and recently was presented the opportunity to transition into the Multilingual world. Her Multilingual Program is small but rapidly growing. She has enjoyed learning about her students, teachers, and families and hopes to continue to bring awareness and inclusion to the students with whom she works.

Alejandra Vázquez Baur is a fellow at The Century Foundation, where she manages the Bridges Collaborative, an initiative that champions school integration. In 2022, she co-founded the National Newcomer Network, a coalition that brings together educators, researchers, and advocates invested in developing systemic solutions to address newcomer student inequity in K–12 schools. Under Alejandra’s leadership, the network released a policy platform in February 2024 representing the priorities of over 150 members representing over 30 U.S. states. An inaugural Obama USA Leader and former high school teacher, her work has been featured by several media outlets, including Chalkbeat, the 74 Million, K–12 Dive, Education Week, Gotham Gazette, and POLITICO. Alejandra is a proud granddaughter of Mexican farmworkers and holds degrees from Claremont McKenna College and Columbia University.

Akash Patel, originally from India, began his teaching career in very small rural communities in Oklahoma where people had never seen or met “a brown Indian guy who spoke five languages and had traveled to over 50 countries. He used his travel experiences to design all of his lessons. For example, he used his experiences of working with elephants in South Asia to teach children to make elephant poopoopaper and map elephant DNA to study poaching patterns. He currently teaches ESL with Oklahoma City Community College and serves as Epic Charter Schools’ Math+ Instructor and ELL Liaison. Patel previously taught Spanish with the Dallas Independent School District and fourth grade at Hayes elementary school in Oklahoma City. In both schools, his students have come from very difficult backgrounds and have included gang members, drug addicts and juvenile delinquents. The majority of his students at both schools had never traveled outside the US.Patels has received many recognitions and awards including 2015 Oklahoma State Department of Education and Multicultural Institute Multicultural Teacher of the Year, and In December 2017, Patel was selected from over 30,000 nominations as one of the top 50 teachers around the world and shortlisted as a finalist for the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize. In January 2021, Patel was inducted in the International Literacy Association’s 30 Under 30 List. In January 2022, Patel was elected as the first-ever immigrant President of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). In June 2022, Patel was elected Vice-Chairman of the National Council of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) Patel was also featured as a 2022 TIME Magazine Innovative Educator of the Year…the list goes on.Akash also connects classrooms with people and professionals worldwide using virtual platforms in what I would call a modern day pen pal program. Patel has mobilized over 1,000 volunteers from over 150 countries to join his Global Connect database at the Happy World Foundation, a Texas based global education nonprofit he founded after the passing of his twin brother Anand Happy Patel.Patel frequently speaks at regional, national and international conferences about his classroom experience. He has also trained over 100,000 teachers to use the Global Connect database and other multicultural programs. Today, thousands of American children travel to countries worldwide through Happy World Foundation’s global education programs. To Learn more, visit happyworldfoundation.us.

Suzie is an entrepreneur, business owner, transformational speaker, and bestselling author. She is the CEO and Founder of the RTE Academy, a coaching program designed to strategically transform the lives of successful women who feel unworthy. Survivor, or as she likes to call herself Thriver of multiple illnesses including cancer and over five abdominal surgeries, she found the way out of societal misery. Suzie’s passion and calling is to share her knowledge with women to elevate their identity alongside their worth. “I know there is more to what the eye and even the imagination can perceive,” she expresses. This belief has taken her from having no shoes and working in the fields of Mexico, to an unstoppable, forward-moving, resilient VISIONARY.Check out her website and social media at this link.

Sunny Day, Miss Oklahoma 2023, is a first-generation high school and college graduate. She graduated from Norman Public Schools in 2013 and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at The University of Oklahoma in 2018. She has been a public-school teacher at Bridgestone Intermediate in Western Heights Public Schools since 2018. Sunny has had many roles in her school, she has taught 6th grade, served as an ESL teacher, and a 5th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher. Some of her proudest moments in her teaching career are being named Next Gen 30 Under 30 in Education (2020) and Teacher of the Year (2021). She calls her school a second home, which is why she has decided to continue to teach during her reign as Miss Oklahoma.Sunny has a personal connection to volunteerism. As a little girl, she and her family were often taken care of by churches, schools, and the generous people within her community. As she got older, she decided she wanted to give back in the same way. She has invested over 5,000 hours in her community service endeavors. Two of her favorite organizations she has been a part of are OKC Teem and the Tim Tebow Foundation. Aside from her service work, she has done a lot within the walls of her own school. Planting a school garden, starting her school’s first cheer team, and establishing a recycling club are some of her many leadership roles in her school.Over time, she created her own character development school program called Ready S.E.T. Go: Building Skills Today for Tomorrow’s Success. Her community service initiative is a mission that provides a path to gain life-skills, mentorship, scholarships, and the dream life for youth of all ages and upbringings, by helping them navigate school, the workforce, and life experiences. Through an interactive, three-pillared approach (Support. Encourage. Teach.), Ready S.E.T. GO empowers youth to embrace our mission; to provide our youth with the skills to be their most successful, confident, and empowered selves, no matter their life circumstances.Sunny began her unique journey in the Miss Oklahoma Organization in 2020. She held her local title for two years and went on to compete at Miss Oklahoma 2021 where she placed 4th Runner-Up. She was also awarded multiple community service awards, interview awards, and Overall Rookie. After the 2021 competition, Sunny’s journey in the Miss Oklahoma Organization came to an end due to aging out, until Miss America announced their age increase in 2023. Sunny earned the title of Miss Norman and went on to compete at Miss Oklahoma 2023. She walked away as Miss Oklahoma 2023. Sunny has won over $70,000 from the Miss Oklahoma Organization and is now debt-free and on her way to obtain her Masters in Education.Sunny has big plans to travel the state as Miss Oklahoma and make Oklahoma her classroom by going into schools across the state and implementing her school program. As a big sister and educator, she is looking forward to educating and empowering today’s youth. Aside from connecting with students, she is eager to speak with legislators about education reform, bring in new sponsors and partnerships to the Miss Oklahoma Organization, and build an empowerment workshop program for the future women of this organization.Sunny is the daughter of Jamie Day and Samuel Day, the big sister the Kali Day (25), Maron Day (18), Harley Day (16), and Jordyn Day (12), and a proud dog mom to her boxer Arie.Follow Sunny on Social Media! @missamericaok @sunnymday

Join me and four graduate students (Aya Iwamoto, Genevieve Simmons, Hyekyong Yun, & Julie Muir) from the University of Central Oklahoma’s Master’s in Bilingual Education program as we reflect on the impact of data utilization within language programs, examining both its positive contributions and potential pitfalls. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, we discuss how data-informed decision-making can drive program improvement while also highlighting the importance of ethical and responsible data practices in education. Through firsthand experiences and insights, we explore how embracing diverse languages enhances classroom dynamics and informs assessment practices. Accompany us as we explore practical approaches to foster fair and unbiased assessments that support all learners

Dr. Stephen Krashen completed his Ph.D. in Linguistics at UCLA (1972), and is currently an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Southern California.Dr. Krashen is the author of more than 525 articles and books in the fields of bilingual education, neurolinguistics, second language acquisition and literacy.He has received numerous awards including the Mildenberger Award (1982), given for his book, Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning (Prentice-Hall), the Pimsleur Award, given by the American Council of Foreign Language Teachers for the best published article in 1985, the Dorothy C. McKenzie Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field of Children’s Literature (Children’s Literature Council of Southern California), a Doctorate of Humane Letters awarded by Lewis and Clark College, Portland (2011), and the “Kenneth S. Goodman In Defense of Good Teaching” Award, by the College of Education, University of Arizona, 2019.https://www.sdkrashen.com/ - for past articles & books

Mónica Suyo moved from Lima, Perú to Norman, OK in 2001. Her dream was to study abroad and explore other cultures. Prior to studying at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Mónica was an exchange student in Sevilla, Spain. She graduated from OU in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She also holds a Master's degree in Human Relations. She has been in education for over 15 years and has professional experience in educational settings ranging from Pre-K to post-secondary. Currently she is the Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement at Cristo Rey OKC High School. Previously she was the Assistant Director of TRIO, Upward Bound Program at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC). Before OCCC, Mónica was the Dean of Academic Programs at Le Monde International School, a language immersion public charter school in Norman, OK. Apart from her professional experiences, she has been a volunteer and board member on numerous non-profits. Mónica, as the Director of Recruitment and Community Engagement, enjoys being out in the community and making sure people know what Cristo Rey OKC High School is about. She is looking to build more of a presence in the community and would love to make sure that everyone in and around Oklahoma City and beyond knows about Cristo Rey. Also, her goal is to spread more information about what it takes to be admitted to Cristo Rey and what it means to be a part of the school. What she loves is to work with families and enjoys working with students along with getting to know them. Mónica currently resides in Norman, OK with her husband, Ryan, whom she met at OU when they both were undergraduates. They have been married for 20 years and have a son, Samuel (Sam). Sam is the owner of Heavenly Nectar, and actively participates in other programs and activities from Loveworks Leadership organization. Mónica enjoys traveling and has been to numerous places and historical sites in her home country of Perú. She has also traveled to numerous places in the United States including Orlando, Washington D.C., St. Louis, and her personal favorite Eureka Springs in Arkansas.

Daniela Perieda is passionate about bilingualism and education reform. She is the author of “Become a Bilingual Family – The Best Method For Raising Bilingual Children, Even If You Only Speak One Language” and is the Past President of the Oklahoma Association for Bilingual Education. She holds a Family Life Education – Child Development degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK.Daniela helps parents create meaningful relationships with their children while learning Spanish. She believes teachers and families play an important role in the development of the WHOLE child. For this reason, her goal is to create a community of bilingual families.Bilingual Family began as Daniela’s dream. With the love, support and encouragement of Jon, her husband, it became a reality in 2013. As they started their own family, the meaning of Bilingual Family evolved. They are committed not only to raising bilingual children, but are also committed to creating a program that they would feel fortunate to send their children to. A program where children are respected as individuals and their unique gifts and skills are fostered. A program that will become a model for education reform. A program where families feel supported and connected.Bilingual Family, found at bilingualfamily.us, is dedicated to fostering bilingualism and a love for learning in an environment that values the family as the primary teacher. With a commitment to full Spanish immersion and a mixed-age model, Bilingual Family school promotes a collaborative, growth-focused atmosphere that reflects the core belief that the family is instrumental in shaping a child’s educational experience.All of Daniela’s past, present and future endeavors are rooted in the belief that "second language acquisition is all about RELATIONSHIPS"

Savanna Payne has worked in education as a teacher, OELA grant coordinator, and facilitator for the past 10+ years. She is currently an English Language Development Administrator at Oklahoma City public schools and oversees English Language Development programming in multiple middle schools. She received a Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her educational background includes a Bachelors in Elementary Education and advancing with a Masters Degree in Bilingual Education/TESL. Beyond the school building, Savanna is the current president of Oklahoma Association of Bilingual Education. She also works on the side as an adjunct instructor in the TESL department at UCO for undergraduate and graduate courses to reach new and current educators. Savanna learned to accept a variety of cultures while developing her identity as a child through frequent moves along the east coast of the United States with her Navy father and family. Embracing her Chicana background on her mother’s side, showed her the importance of representation within a classroom and the value of cultural knowledge. In her free time, Savanna supports local conferences for multiculturalism and bilingualism, purchases art from the local OKC art scene with her husband, and spends quiet time reading.Jamie Blank has served 10 years with Oklahoma City Public Schools as a teacher, coach, and facilitator. In her current position, English Language Development program administrator, she oversees English Language Development programming in multiple middle schools. Her educational background includes a Bachelors in Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Oklahoma and continued education with achieving double Master’s Degrees in both Secondary and Adult Education & Training from the University of Central Oklahoma. Alongside her duties with OKCPS, Jamie has partnered as an educational trainer with Myriad Education. In this partnership, she continues to provide professional development and training to surrounding school districts with a primary focus on English learners in K-12 schools. Outside of her educational commitments, she also focuses on building an inclusive and diverse soccer program that includes coaching mentorship for fundamental skills and character building in our youth. Along with, being the current newsletter editor and running social media for the Oklahoma Association of Bilingual Education. As a second-generation immigrant, Jamie was brought up surrounded by a strong presence of the Filipino community. Growing up as a Filipino-American and Army Brat, the military often moved Jamie and her family to different states, cities, and schools. Through her childhood, each new setting exposed her to a wide range of diverse communities and new sets of challenges. This exposure helped shape her own identity and passion for advocacy, while developing her love for educating others with diversity and inclusion. In her free time, you can find her mentoring kids at the local YMCA, playing and coaching soccer, or traveling the world with her husband to learn and connect with other cultures.

Ronald Mauricio Sandoval was born in San Luis, Jilotepeque Guatemala. He grew up in Guatemala and El Salvador during its Civil War. After high school, he served a 25 month mission in the mountainous region of Momostenango Guatemala where he learned to speak Quiché. After his mission, He completed his undergraduate work in education at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. Early in his career in Guatemala he was a retail salesman and manager. He moved to the United States in 1997 where his first job was washing the machine that made bread at a little convenience shop in the O'hare Airport. A diligent study of English, hard work and the right people in his path led him from that job to being a truck driver, an ELL teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of language programs in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. He currently continues to have the opportunity to serve as a trainer, speaker and presenter at the national level in the area of ​​bilingual education and especially in the development of dual language education programs. He also had the opportunity to work as the founding principle of a Bilingual School in Kuwait. He earned his masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison to complete his Wisconsin school principal & leadership licensing. Through his connections with the University of Wisconsin, the Department of Public Instruction, and network throughout the nation he was a part of the WI Seal of Biliteracy work group that would lead to Wisconsin’s adoption of the Seal of Biliteracy. At the state level in Oklahoma, he was influential in broadening the Oklahoma State Board of Education’s scope for international educator hiring For over 20 years, Mr. Sandoval has empowered adults and children, particularly English Learners, by helping them acquire English and develop professional skills, and/or learn content through language acquisition programs and services. His data-based design of Dual Language programs has helped English Learners acquire English at faster rates than the US national average, promoted cultural unity, and closed achievement gaps. Furthermore, English proficient students, as well as English learners, have had the opportunity of becoming fully bilingual and bi-literate through instruction in English and Spanish. He currently works for the Western Heights School District where he is building the new Dual Language Program. When he is not helping students become bilingual, bicultural and biliterate, he can be seen riding bikes with his family, serving in his church, reading, streaming movies, resurrecting houseplants or working in his bonsai trees.

For the past 25 years, Sally has dedicated her time and energy to teaching multilingual learners both at the elementary and secondary levels. In her current role as an EL facilitator, she supports secondary ELD and core content teachers with effective teaching strategies to support second language acquisition for EL students. Sally holds two educational degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma – a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in TESOL and Bilingual Education. Sally possesses Oklahoma teacher certifications in Elementary Education, Spanish, English Language Arts, English as a Second Language, as well as an Elementary and Secondary Principal certificate. Sally’s work is rooted in the belief that life is about serving others well. “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Sally is married with three children and knows what it means to wear many hats. She is a dedicated spouse, a caring mother, a teacher, and a committed advocate for multilingual students.

Paul Parkerson grew up in Spain and is fluent in both Spanish and English. He's a K-5 bilingual/ESL interventionist in Denton ISD who has worked with elementary multilingual students in Texas for 20 years in various language programs. He received his Ph.D. in Reading from the Department of Literacy and Learning at Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX, where he has also worked as a research assistant and teaches as an adjunct professor. He received his Master of Education in K-12 English for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Second Language Education from Jones International University. His research has focused on the intersections between teachers and students, focusing on socioculturally sustaining pedagogies in education, with an emphasis on a critical approach.

In this captivating podcast episode, delve into the inspiring journey of Dr. Kelly B. Forbes, a bilingual dancer whose passion for education shines through. Dr. Forbes shares his insights on fostering inclusive learning environments for multicultural and multilingual students, advocating for equitable access to education for all. Through his experiences and expertise, listeners gain valuable perspectives on the intersection of dance, education, and social equity.Check out EduSkills at eduskillsllc.comCheck out Kelly B’s Consulting at kellybsconsultingllc.com

Andrea Bitner is a passionate educator, author, and professional development provider that has worked with students in grades K-12 through her twenty-three years in public education from all around the world.Her first book, “Take Me Home” addresses the journeys of some amazing young multilingual students who exhibit the fuel and grit to navigate and embrace the American dream.She is also a co-author of Chip Baker’s “The Impact of Influence-Volume 3,” and “100 No-Nonsense Things ALL School Leaders Should Stop Doing.”To learn more about Andrea's work check out this 6ABC Philadelphia News article.You can find Andrea at www.andreabitnerbooks.com or on social media:FacebookInstagramX (Twitter)

Tracey Morales is currently the Family and Homeless Coordinator for Crooked Oak Public Schools school district and is deeply committed to fostering connections among diverse cultures and experiences, with a special focus on supporting our Black and Latinx students. Her dedication is fueled by her firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by students with parents who primarily speak Spanish and possess limited education. She aspires to be the advocate she wished she had during her own K-12 journey.

Dr. Heidi Faust serves as the Grants, Projects, and Partnerships Officer at TESOL International Association where she supports English Language Teaching capacity building programs internationally most recently with secondary teachers and government mentors in India and Uzbekistan on programs in collaboration with U.S. Embassies, Ministries of Education, and Non-governmental Organizations. Prior to this, Heidi has had several roles at TESOL including Director of Professional Learning and Research. As a former member of the association, Heidi was active in the association leadership and chairing both the Intercultural Communication Interest Section and the Social Responsibility interest section, and she was a founding member of the TESOL Diversity Collaborative Professional Learning Network

Dr. Virginia Collier is Professor Emerita of Bilingual/Multicultural/ESL Education at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, located in the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. She is best known for her work with senior researcher, Dr. Wayne Thomas, on school effectiveness for linguistically and culturally diverse students, working with many school districts in all regions of the U.S. since 1985.Dr. Wayne Thomas is Professor Emeritus of Evaluation & Research Methodology in the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. His Ph.D. training and primary professional experience are in program evaluation methodology and social science research methods.To learn more about Drs. Collier & Thomas follow the links below:Dual Language Education of New MexicoVelazquez Press

Dr. Joel Gómez is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). He holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University. He received his M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also completed doctoral work in Applied Linguistics and Foreign Language Education Studies. He received a B.A. in Liberal Arts (Spanish and History) from the University of Texas at Austin. With a proven management style that empowers and motivates, Gómez brings a wide range of experience in research, policy, and practice in equity, language and education to CAL from his work in higher education, the private, for-profit sector, and public education.

Louise El Yaafouri is a highly accomplished educator and the owner of DiversifiED Consulting, a prominent firm dedicated to empowering clients in their service to culturally diverse, linguistically diverse, and trauma-impacted communities.You can follow Louise on X (formerly Twitter) at @ElYaafouri or on LinkedIn.

Dr. Elizet Moret is an educational leader that advocates for the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students and promotes access to equitable education that is centered in equity and social justice. She is the owner of Edu Lengua, an educational consulting company that serves school districts and charters across the nation. Her company focuses on the needs of emergent bilinguals, families, and their communities.

Dr. Jose Viana, a first-generation Cuban immigrant and educator, is a guest on the Cultural Connections Lab podcast. He has dedicated his career to improving educational opportunities for minority populations, particularly English learners. Dr. Viana has served as an administrator, teacher, and director of the Office of English Language Acquisition. He emphasizes the importance of understanding students' backgrounds, creating safe and welcoming environments, and advocating for their needs. He also highlights the significance of cultural connections and the transformative power of education for multilingual students.

Dr. David Holbrook, Executive Director - National Association of English Learner Program Administrators (NAELPA)Dr. David Holbrook has a passion for helping others and has dedicated his professional career to linguistic research and language development. He worked for 16 years overseas, conducting original research to identify language groups in need of language development. His PhD focused on comparing the grammar of four languages to determine their classification and compatibility for sharing literacy materials. Dr. Holbrook's work with SIL International, a prominent organization involved in linguistic research and Bible translation, provided valuable data on rural, remote, and minority languages, uncovering cultural connections and unique vocabulary reflecting the experiences and innovations of different cultures.

Denise Soler Cox, highlighting her achievements as an award-winning activist filmmaker, podcaster, and speaker, shares her mission to help others feel a sense of belonging and contribute their unique gifts to the world. She emphasizes the importance of embracing one's greatness and breaking free from self-imposed limitations. Denise recalls the moment that inspired her to make a documentary and discusses the feeling of not fully belonging, which resonated with many others.

Dr. Taylor Tribble, the president and CEO of EduSkills, has a deep passion for cultural connections and supporting people from diverse backgrounds. His journey began with his travels at a young age, living in Sweden and exploring Europe, which ignited his curiosity for different languages and cultures. Through his experiences, he realized the importance of helping others who come to the United States seeking a better life. This led him to create EduSkills, a platform that supports educators in providing equitable education for students with diverse needs, including linguistic and cultural support.Learn about EduSkills here.

Welcome to Cultural Connections Lab, a podcast that explores the intersections of culture, travel, education, and language learning. We believe that learning about other cultures can be a transformative experience that broadens our understanding of the world, breaks down barriers, and promotes empathy and respect for diverse perspectives. Each episode, we take a deep dive into a different cultural topic, sharing stories and insights from experts and everyday people who have experienced it firsthand. Our hosts, Dr. J. Taylor Tribble, Dr. Kelly Forbes, Martha Karmali M.S. Ed. and Mike Overholt come from diverse backgrounds and bring their own unique perspectives to the table. From seasoned travelers to language enthusiasts, our team is passionate about exploring new cultures and sharing their knowledge with others. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting out on your cultural jouney, Cultural Connections Lab (CCL) has something for you. Join us as we explore the world and make meaningful connections across cultures.