TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area university is doing all it can with its programs to meet the state of Florida's ongoing and growing need for dual language teachers.
- As of January 2020 more than 2,400 teaching positions remain open in Florida
- UAGM develops bilingual professionals through 50/50 immersion program
- More Hillsborough County stories
Ginina Arroyo has been teaching kindergarten Spanish at Crestwood Elementary School, one of Hillsborough County's dual language schools, for the past four years.
“At the beginning it’s a little hard but at the end of the year the outcomes are exceptional, to have them moving to first grade reading and writing in Spanish,” Rodriguez said, describing her students' progress.
Coincidentally, she earned her degree in the much the same way at the nearby Ana G. Mendez University Tampa Bay campus.
“I said, 'yes, I’m going to do it because I’m going to teach,'" she explained. "That’s my passion — I want to be a teacher and I’m going to do it."
Ana G. Mendez University, or UAGM, prides itself on developing professionals to where they are bilingual by the time they graduate through a 50/50 language immersion program.
“The university leadership is very proud of accomplishing one of our basic missions, which is to provide professionals that are balanced English and Spanish professionals,” said UAGM academic director George Suarez.
It’s the perfect fit as Florida works to attract and retain teachers in an increasingly diverse state.
As of January 2020, more than 2,400 teaching positions remain unfilled. That's a 10 percent increase from last year.
Arroyo, meanwhile, isn’t the only Ana G. Mendez alumni at Crestwood Elementary. Several others are currently teaching in the school’s dual language program.
“We are here running the dual language program, and we also work as a resource for the teachers when we have conference night or other events where we need Spanish speakers,” Arroyo said.
"At UAGM, we are committed to being the pioneer and leader in developing, providing and enhancing the discipline-based dual language immersion program in higher education in Florida. We want to give bilingual professionals a seat at the table,” said UAGM campus director Suheily Martinez.
Hillsborough County Schools will continue to expand its dual language program over the next few years, which will grow the need for bilingual teachers.
“I’m encouraging all Ana G. Mendez students, the education students, to come over here to Hillsborough County and make sure that you apply,” Arroyo said.