PSU alumna Patricia Lerma named bilingual teacher of the year

When Patricia "Pati" Lerma accepted the 2026 OABE Dual Language Bilingual Education Teacher of the Year award last month, the moment felt deeply personal.

A Portland State University alumna and first-grade teacher in the Canby School District, Lerma once sat in Oregon classrooms as a newcomer who spoke no English.

"Dreams do come true when we believe in ourselves, when we work with determination and perseverance," Lerma said. "Especially when we love what we do."

Today, the PSU College of Education graduate teaches in the K-6 dual language immersion program at Trost Elementary School, open to students from across the district.

But her path to the classroom began years earlier, thousands of miles away.

Lerma moved to Oregon from Mexico with her family when she was 14. Starting high school without speaking English meant navigating steep language and cultural learning curves.

Despite the challenges, she never lost sight of the dream she had held since childhood.

"I knew that I wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school in Mexico," Lerma said.

Dreams do come true when we believe in ourselves.

A longer road to the classroom

After high school, Lerma enrolled at Clackamas Community College, where she studied English as a second language (ESL) while continuing to work toward her goal of becoming a teacher. She later transferred to Portland State University, where she completed the Bilingual Teacher Pathway (BTP) program and earned her bachelor's degree. The program prepares bilingual educators to serve multilingual classrooms across Oregon.

Her academic journey did not follow a traditional timeline. Balancing language learning, coursework and life responsibilities meant it took her nearly twice as long as a typical four-year degree.

"Nothing seemed normal like for other students," Lerma said. "You start your program and you finish in two or four years. No, that wasn't for me … it took longer."

Standardized testing requirements also created hurdles along the way. At one point while studying for the CBEST reading exam (a BTP pre-requirement), Lerma was so frustrated that she took a warehouse job and began to rethink her plans.

Then she received a message from associate professor Esperanza "Espie" De La Vega informing her that she had been conditionally admitted to the program at PSU and could begin while continuing to work toward passing the exam.

"Dr. De La Vega believed in me when I was ready to give up," Lerma said. "Her love, empathy, strength and support allowed me to be where I am now."

Pati Lerma surrounded by family after receiving the award at the OABE Conference. Photo: Jesus Navarro

A few months later, Lerma took the test again - and passed.

Throughout that process, Lerma said, her family and friends encouraged her to keep going. At PSU, she also found a community that helped shape her approach to teaching and affirmed the principles she brings into her classroom today.

"My experience at PSU reinforced my values around equity, social justice, diversity and inclusion for our bilingual students and their families," Lerma said.

She credits supportive professors for believing in her, and strong relationships at the university with helping guide her career path. After graduating, Lerma worked briefly as a substitute teacher before being hired in 2017 as a second-grade dual language immersion teacher. Several years later, after the birth of her daughter, she reached out to PSU professor Bernd Ferner to learn more about PSU's master's program in curriculum and instruction and returned to her alma mater to continue her education.

"PSU was a great place for me," Lerma said. "I felt welcome. I had great professors."

Creating belonging in the classroom

Lerma taught second grade at Trost for five years before moving to first grade, where she now works with the school's youngest learners. In her classroom of 28 students, about half are native English speakers and about half are native Spanish speakers.

For Lerma, dual language education is about more than academic success - it is also about identity and belonging.

"It's important to be bilingual and learn another language because we can connect to more people," Lerma said. "But also we want to keep our identities, who we are, where our parents come from."

Those values are central to the way she designs lessons. In one social studies unit, students share photos and objects from home that represent their families and traditions. The activity allows students to talk about their cultures while practicing language skills and building connections with classmates.

One of Lerma's favorite class activities happens near the end of the school year, when the school's theme is "Planning for our Future." Her first-graders write about what they want to be when they grow up and then celebrate with a "graduation walk" through the school.

The tradition began two years ago with simple arts and crafts materials. Students decorated paper caps with glitter and wore improvised gowns made from black trash bags. The ceremony quickly became meaningful for students and their families.

"What matters is the message behind those trash bags," Lerma said. "Going to school and dreaming about what you would like to be in the future."

The event has since grown into a schoolwide tradition. Lerma recently secured a grant from the Canby Education Foundation to purchase fabric caps and gowns that will now be used by first-grade classes each year.

The journey is not easy. But if you have chosen this path it is for a reason. Your dedication and passion will make a difference in the lives of your students and their communities.

Teaching from experience

Her own story as an English learner continues to shape the way she teaches and supports students who are learning both language and academic content in English and Spanish. In her classroom, bilingualism and biliteracy are key goals.

Pati Lerma on stage receiving the 2026 OABE Dual Language Bilingual Education Teacher of the Year award. Photo: Jesus Navarro

"Learning language while also learning subjects like math, science, and social studies in a second language is not easy," Lerma said. "I really appreciate the effort that my students put into everything that we do here."

Those experiences now guide the advice she offers aspiring dual language educators: resilience and compassion.

"The journey is not easy," Lerma said. "But if you have chosen this path, it is for a reason. Your dedication and passion will make a difference in the lives of your students and their communities."

For Lerma - inspired daily by her own journey, her students and her daughter, who will soon start kindergarten - the award is also motivation to keep growing professionally.

She now has her sights set on her next step: returning to school for a doctorate.

"I like to take risks," she said. "I like to challenge myself."