The Maestras con Voz is a key initiative, designed to illuminate the knowledge of ISLA educators and raise cultural and language awareness in schools.

Overview

For the past 11 years, Immersion for Spanish Language Acquisition has been dedicated to fostering community and leadership in North Carolina through innovative educational programs focused on Spanish language acquisition and Latin American cultural immersion. The organization recognizes the imminent growth of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States by 2060 (Cervantes Institute, 2021.) and addresses the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students in North Carolina public schools. Emphasizing the importance of unlearning preconceptions, the program encourages educators and administrators to embrace the cultural wealth that multilingual students and their families bring.

Design by ISLA educators

Maestras con Voz is a professional development instrument created by ISLA educators. The initiative aims to shift traditional educational mindsets within institutions that serve large populations of underserved immigrants, refugees students, and English learning families. A Maestras con Voz is customizable based on the specific needs of those seeking ISLA professional development action.

Furthermore, it highlights the necessity of understanding the
ever-evolving skills of a multilingual brain. Overall, Immersion for Spanish Language Acquisition plays a vital role in nurturing the identity of multilingual students and promoting inclusive educational environments..

Vision and Mission

ISLA fosters a supportive and inclusive educational environment in North Carolina through Spanish language and cultural immersion programs. The organization, guided by its vision of building an equitable society enriched by Latin American languages and cultures, places a strong emphasis on community and leadership development.

The Maestras con Voz is a key initiative, designed to illuminate the knowledge of ISLA educators and raise cultural and language awareness in schools. Recognizing the unique experiences of students from Latin American roots and promoting multilingualism, ISLA aims to create a more inclusive and enriched educational experience in North Carolina classrooms.

Problem Statement

The increasing enrollment of multilingual students, comprising more than 125,000 individuals, in North Carolina's public school systems presents a pressing challenge. Many of these students' parents are monolingual speakers of languages other than English. This demographic shift highlights the urgent need to invest in comprehensive training for educators and administrative staff to enhance cultural and language awareness.

Offering

The goal is to effectively deliver instruction that aligns with the cultural and linguistic diversity of students and their families, fostering an inclusive educational environment and improving overall academic outcomes.

  • 2 sessions totaling 8 hours (cultural awareness, inclusive spaces in educational settings).
  • promotes cultural humility, provides practical strategies for inclusive curriculum, effective communication and community engagement.
  • empower educators and administrative staff to move beyond pre-conceived notions, fostering a more culturally sensitive and affirming educational environment.