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.