Learning two languages can be frustrating, but Cal State Long Beach alumna Sylvia Padilla’s dual language program – an endeavor that has been acknowledged on a national level – is making it easier for her students.
Padilla, a fourth-grade teacher in Long Beach, was recognized by the White House in a September ceremony for improving student outcome, especially among Hispanic and English language learning students.
Padilla teaches a dual language program at Patrick Henry K-8 School in the Long Beach Unified School District, where she has been working for 20 years.
Starting with only 44 students in the program, Padilla said she watched the dual language program grow to include more than 800 students who showed an interest in learning more than one language.
“[The dual language program] is not a big thing in Europe or Australia, but here in California, it’s a huge thing,” Padilla said. “I am passionate about it. I have a commitment for our program.”
Padilla moved from Mexico to Long Beach with her first-born child and became a student at CSULB in 1980. She majored in liberal studies and graduated with a degree that included an emphasis in Spanish.
She started teaching bilingual programs after she received her credentials in 1992.
Padilla also works as a mentor teacher and supports novice teachers by opening up her own classroom for their practicum so that they complete credential requirements.
“I helped students do well in school, I help them become great and tell them that they can find their own excitement about learning,” Padilla said. “They can reach for every dream they want.”
Padilla said that receiving White House recognition made her grateful to all the people who helped her on the way.
“I tell my students every day that I am so happy to see [them], and every time I come to my job, I am happy for being able to teach, live out my dream,” Padilla said.
Padilla hopes to travel back to Mexico and Latin America to rebuild schools once she has the right amount of money.