A ground-breaking foreign language program, coordinated by Justina Montano and Sonia Casteneda, has been honored with the 22nd Annual Jack London Award for Educational Innovationk.
The Sonoma State University School of Education presents this award to an outstanding K-12 school program that involves students, teachers and the community.
The "K-8 Dual Immersion" program at Flowery Elementary and Adele Harrison Middle Schools in Sonoma Valley educates native English and Spanish speaking students to be bilingual and bi-literate citizens.
The program enables students to become successful in an increasingly global society.
The program began with one kindergarten class of 20 students in 1990 and has expanded to include over 380 students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Many program alums are now taking advanced Spanish classes in grades 9 and 10 at Sonoma Valley High School. The successful program is now considered a model for innovative, foreign language programs.
One judge commented, "They are making a difference in ways that are no longer very common." Another judge noted that the program demonstrated a "tremendous amount of collaboration among teachers, students and community."
The program sets the stage for students to become involved in their local and global communities Dual-immersion students support the Sonoma Ecology Center, Glen Oaks Ranch and Bouverie Preserve, participating in stewardship activities.
Students are encouraged to engage with the world community as well; many correspond with Spanish pen pals from countries including Costa Rica and Guatemala.
This year's other finalists were the "Spring Creek School Garden" project at Spring Creek Elementary coordinated by Carole Geier, the "Health Career Pathway" project at Casa Grande High School coordinated by Kelly Holly and the "Vineyard Academy" project at Windsor High School coordinated by Marie Ganister.
ABOVE: Standing from left to right - Justina Montano, Joyce Schipper, Dora-Aldina Chavarria, Amber kalcic, Mary Ann Spitzer, Karla Conroy, Pamela Martens, Sonia Castaneda, Maria Moreno, Gene Ventura
Seated or kneeling on floor from left to right - Krista McAtee, Ana Martinez, Paula Salazar, Lucia Chavez-Goodman, Alicia Sardoch, Katie Logan.
