Advancing Early Education: The Importance of Dual Language Learning
A desire to change the educational landscape began during Dr. Alexandra Figueras-Daniel’s freshman year of undergrad.
She was drawn to teach when she was exposed to notable research in early childhood education as a student worker at the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).
After earning her B.A., she taught for several years before returning to NIEER, where she worked on research projects while pursuing her doctoral studies at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE).Upon completion of her Ph.D., she took on various roles to deeper her expertise, but returned to NIEER in 2021 to lead a transformative program – Building Early Learning Latiné Educators (BELLE).
BELLE is a pipeline program designed to cultivate early childhood leaders who are bilingual Spanish speakers and self-identify as Latiné. A perfect pairing with NIEER, a research organization that aims to use and collect data to inform early childhood policy and practice.
“BELLE aims to develop informed leaders and policy makers for dual language learners by using embedded research to improve and assess the program’s impact,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said. “Participants often emerge feeling more empowered to pursue leadership roles.”
This past year, Dr. Figueras-Daniel received the GSE Faculty Excellence in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award which is given to those who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to raising awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the GSE’s mission. She also received the Provost Award for Excellence in Community/Publicly Engaged Scholarship for her work on BELLE and other projects supporting quality education policies for dual language learners in NJ.
“Every validation of the research surrounding Latiné early education at a higher level makes the issue more visible and meaningful. We have the liberty to advocate for what we believe in, and although it feels intimidating, advancing the cause makes a real impact,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said.
Before re-joining NIEER to work on BELLE, Dr. Figueras-Daniel was awarded a Young Scholars Program grant for research on Latina teachers in early childhood education. Soon after, Dr. Ellen Frede, senior co-director of NIEER, conceptualized the idea for BELLE and asked her to head the program.
To participate in BELLE, a leader, such as a program director or principal, nominates a Latiné teacher with leadership potential. Over four Saturdays during the school year, 15 participants and their leaders are taught applicable strategies to implement in the classroom for dual language learners and receive a $1,500 stipend.
“Sometimes the meetings are very emotional,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said. “We explore the themes around people’s experiences and journeys. It becomes a close-knit community when the members become friends as they create a network of people amongst themselves to lean on and support one another.”
As an advocate for improving policy, practice, and educational experiences for young dual language learners, Dr. Figueras-Daniel is pushing for change to begin at the local level.
“Young children learning a new language benefit most from dual language immersion programs that teach both their native language and English. We need to implement this in the educational space,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said. “Through BELLE, teachers can return to their districts equipped to share and advocate for this message, using the resources and research learned to support their efforts. The more we make it systematic, the more children can benefit equitably.”
Previous members – referred to as “BELLEs” – have achieved notable successes, including presenting their work at national conferences, implementing policies in their respective school districts, pursuing graduate and doctoral programs, and assuming new leadership positions.
“The Department of Education has become very aware of the need for dual language support,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said. “They added curriculum training courses for dual language learners, and the instructors of the seminar are BELLEs from cohort number two. There’s been quite a lot of movement.”
One BELLE from Passaic, NJ, Bernice Vasquez, co-authored a journal article with Dr. Figueras-Daniel that will be published in the award-winning peer-reviewed journal, Young Children, by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
“The article discusses leveraging technology to increase family engagement in the classroom, and we will be presenting it at the NAEYC conference in California later this fall,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said. “BELLEs from the Orange school district will also present implemented program strategies at the conference.”
Dr. Figueras-Daniel is committed to expanding the reach and impact of BELLE with the support of the GSE.
“It’s a privilege to be in a space where being surrounded by people who think so deeply and critically about educational policies is the norm. Engaging in conversations with other scholars both within and outside NIEER motivates me to continue pursuing this research and striving to make a difference,” Dr. Figueras-Daniel said.