Daviess County and Owensboro public schools are partnering in an effort to further the educational opportunities for local multilingual learners. On Wednesday, the districts are hosting renowned bilingual educator Elise White Diaz for a presentation at OPS.
The session will focus on empowering educators with effective strategies to support students with interrupted or minimal education backgrounds.
Diaz has served in various capacities in Emergent Bilingual education, including co-teaching, instructional coaching, writing curriculum, and offering professional development to Texas schools.
“We are fortunate to have Elise White Diaz join us for a day of training,” said DCPS Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jana Beth Francis. “It’s an amazing learning experience for educators from both DCPS and OPS. Our goal is for teachers to leave with new knowledge on how to meet the needs of our multilingual learners. Both school systems are committed to helping our refugee students and families build a successful life in our community. Education is a key to their success.”
As part of the opportunity, all participants will receive a copy of Carol Salva’s book “Boosting Achievement: Reaching Students with Interrupted or Minimal Education.”
In a joint release, district officials said they look forward to the positive impact that this session will have on local educators and the academic journey of our multilingual learners.
“Together, we will strive to create an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential,” the release says.
Ashlie Hurley, Multilingual Learner Coordinator for Owensboro Public Schools, said: “With the ever-increasing population of English learners in Owensboro/Daviess County, this program will provide tools for our teachers to educate these students in new, innovative ways.”
Diaz holds a master’s degree from Fuller Seminary in Intercultural Studies. Prior to returning to the United States, Diaz lived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. According to a release, she served at a school for child laborers in the garbage dump, where she taught bilingual and ESL education at the secondary level. Once she returned to the United States, she began working at a school district in North Texas.
