The purpose of this professional development presentation is to acquire an understanding of the different language profiles of native and heritage language Spanish speakers and learners and how this understanding influences their English language proficiency and preparation to advance in their higher education pursuits and academic success. Understanding the diverse linguistic profiles will inform the creation of an academic environment that enhances the language learners’ identity, safety, and sense of belonging in their journey toward and into higher education. Thus, this professional development presentation will briefly explore the multiple purposes that a placement test plays in measuring the language abilities and performance of
language learners to place them in the most appropriate language course and curriculum that best meets their language needs and academic growth.
To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkdeCoqDsjHdPmin5n1cn46S1AdM0c3Sx2
Dr. Elizabeth Villanueva is a passionate, caring and committed educator, who currently serves as a Multilingual Literacy Coordinator at Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD). For more than 19 years, she worked at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, CA, where she taught 9th-12th grade Spanish. She has an impressive record of success in working with the full gamut of skill levels, from classes for beginners, often with behavioral challenges, all the way up to International Baccalaureate (IB) Spanish including Language and Literature, Language and Culture, and Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish. Dr. Villanueva developed and led an after-school program called New-Age Latinas, which taught young Latinas strategies for leadership, success, healthy choices, and navigating the world of secondary and post-secondary education. She exposed these young Latina students to a variety of community events and college trips to enhance their academic journey, Latina voice, and identity. She also led a support group for “DACAmented” and Undocumented students and families. Serving as a liaison for parents she organized different parent engagement events to empower parents through learning about the importance of being involved in their children’s education and exposing them to Know Your Rights events for the Undocumented and “DACAmented” community, as well as literacy workshops. She spent most of her tenure at Burbank as the World Language Department chair. Also, for the 2021-2022 school year she served as the English Learner Coordinator and led the monthly English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meetings. Dr. Villanueva also has taught various Spanish courses at the college level including Spanish as a Second Language, Spanish for Spanish Speakers, Latin American Language and Culture, and Literature. Dr. Villanueva has received numerous awards including Sacramento City Unified Teacher of the Year Award, California Teachers Association Equity and Human Rights Award, Cesar Chavez Sí Se Puede Human Rights Award, the National Education Association Social Justice Activist Award Finalist, Teach Plus California Policy Fellowship 2019-2020, and California Emergent Bilingual Change Agent Network 2022-2023. Dr. Villanueva holds a B.A. in Spanish and BCLAD Teaching Credential from CSU Stanislaus, a M.A. in Spanish from CSU Sacramento, and an Ed.D. from University of San Francisco in Learning & Instruction with emphasis on heritage language assessment and maintenance, as well as a California Education Administrator credential. Dr. Villanueva possesses multiple areas of expertise that will enhance fellow colleagues’ knowledge when collaborating in professional development opportunities.