Empowering Future Bilingual Educators My Experience at the 2024 BESO Spring Leadership Institute

BESO Spring Leadership Institute by TABE

On April 20th, I had the incredible honor of presenting at the 2024 BESO Spring Leadership Institute alongside my esteemed colleague, Dr. Apolonio "Polo" Trejo. Held at the University of Texas San Antonio, this year's theme, "Expedición de educación bilingüe: Trazando el camino por delante" (Bilingual Education Expedition: Charting the Path Ahead), set the stage for an inspiring day of connection, learning, and growth for BESO members across the state.
Our session, titled "BESO Empoderado" (Empowered BESO), was designed with one goal in mind: to empower the next generation of bilingual educators. We shared practical strategies and innovative ideas to support these future leaders in creating culturally and linguistically responsive classrooms that truly reflect and celebrate the diversity of their students.
Highlights of the Session

1. Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices
   We explored what it means to honor the cultural wealth and linguistic assets students bring to the classroom. Future bilingual educators learned actionable strategies to engage students in ways that affirm their identities and create meaningful connections between home and school.
   
2. Engaging Culturally Diverse Communities
   Empowering bilingual educators is not just about classroom strategies—it’s about understanding the broader context of their work. We discussed the importance of family engagement and shared examples of how educators can build relationships with culturally diverse communities to foster trust, collaboration, and inclusion.
   
3. Leadership in Bilingual Education
   Our presentation encouraged BESO members to see themselves not only as teachers but as advocates and leaders in the field of bilingual education. We shared tools to help them take ownership of their campuses’ bilingual programs, inspire their peers, and champion the needs of multilingual learners.
   

The Energy of the DayThe energy in the room was electrifying. BESO members are some of the most passionate and dedicated future educators I’ve encountered. They engaged fully in the discussions, asked insightful questions, and shared their own experiences and challenges. It was clear that the future of bilingual education is in excellent hands with this generation of aspiring teachers.
One of the most rewarding moments for me was hearing from participants after the session. Many shared how they felt inspired and ready to take the tools and strategies we discussed back to their own BESO chapters and campuses. That’s what this institute was all about: empowering individuals to create ripple effects in their communities.
Final ThoughtsBeing part of this event was a reminder of why I do what I do. Bilingual education is not just a profession—it’s a mission. It’s about giving students the opportunity to thrive in a world that values their language, culture, and identity.
To all the BESO members who attended, thank you for your enthusiasm and dedication. You are the future of bilingual education, and I can’t wait to see the incredible work you’ll do.
And to the organizers, thank you for creating a space where ideas can flourish, connections can be made, and leaders can rise.
If you missed the institute, don’t worry! Stay tuned for more updates and events. Let’s keep charting the path forward together.