TAMIU Hosting 3rd Annual ‘Unidos Para Texas’ Bilingual Ed Conference Saturday, Sept. 14
Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) College of Education will once again host the annual “Unidos Para Texas” Bilingual Education Conference on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
The Conference focuses on bilingual education and biliteracy while also promoting advocacy for bilingual/multilingual students. The conference offers high-quality professional development opportunities to meet the needs of these learners.
Registration for the Conference is currently underway online at https://www.tamiu.edu/coedu/unidos/registration.shtml.
The one-day registration fee is $150, which includes breakfast and lunch.
Conference topics include Assessment and Evaluation, Language Acquisition and Development, Promoting Language Equity, Special Education and Bilingual Learners, and more.
Dr. Gilda Y. Martínez, TAMIU College of Education instructional assistant professor, noted the impact of this Conference.
"As the founder of the Unidos Para Texas Bilingual Education Conference, I am deeply committed to advocating for and promoting bilingualism and biliteracy. This annual event at Texas A&M International University exemplifies our dedication to providing high-quality professional development and fostering educational equity for bilingual and multilingual students. Together, we are building a future where every learner's linguistic and cultural heritage is celebrated and nurtured," said Dr. Martínez.
This year’s conference keynote speaker is Dr. Ofelia García. A Professor Emerita in the Ph.D. programs in Urban Education and Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Cultures at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, García has published widely in several areas of bilingualism/multilingualism, and bilingual education.
She is the recipient of two Lifetime Research Achievement Awards from the American Educational Research Association and has received honors from various language associations. She was elected for membership in The Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Education.
In addition to the Conference proceedings, proposals are being accepted through Sunday, June 30, 2024. Interested presenters can submit their proposals at https://www.tamiu.edu/coedu/unidos/proposal.shtml.
Additionally, the Conference will launch a Bilingual/ESL Teacher of the Year Award this year. The Award celebrates educators making impactful differences for their bilingual and ESL students. Nominations are accepted through Friday, June 14, 2024, at https://www.tamiu.edu/coedu/unidos/teacheroftheyear.shtml.
Also launching this year is the first Pioneer Award. This year’s Award winner is Dr. Ramon G. Alaniz, retired TAMIU professor of Education at the College of Education.
From 1972 to 2015, Dr. Alaniz imparted knowledge in elementary and middle school science, math, and social studies. At the university level, he specialized in bilingual education. His teaching repertoire included both English and Spanish, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL).
Alaniz's professional service in bilingual education has left a lasting impact at local, state, national, and international levels. As an educational consultant in Texas, he has played a pivotal role in shaping bilingual education policies and practices.
Notably, Alaniz founded a bilingual conference at the University, providing a platform for educators and researchers to share insights and advancements in the field. Additionally, he developed the first bilingual certification program at the TAMIU.
To learn more about the upcoming Conference, contact Dr. Martínez at gilda.martinez@tamiu.edu or unidosparatexas@tamiu.edu. Registration information is available at https://www.tamiu.edu/coedu/unidos/registration.shtml.
Registration for Summer and Fall 2024 at TAMIU is now underway. View the registration schedule here: https://www.tamiu.edu/registrar/registration.
To learn more about the University’s Registration processes, visit the dedicated Registration Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/registration.
Summer Semester II begins Monday, July 8, 2024. The first day of classes for the Fall semester is Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.
More of the University’s story is available on its social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube and online at tamiu.edu.
