SFA education students presented, volunteered at statewide bilingual conference

Members of Stephen F. Austin State University's Bilingual Education Student Organization shared research, volunteered and connected with bilingual education leaders from across the state during the 2025 Texas Association for Bilingual Education Conference. Pictured, from back left, are Miranda Isham and Elizabeth Pierce. Pictured, from front left, are Janell Almanza and Dr. Sarah Straub.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Members of Stephen F. Austin State University's Bilingual Education Student Organization shared research, volunteered and connected with bilingual education leaders from across the state during the 2025 Texas Association for Bilingual Education Conference.

The conference, billed as the largest bilingual education gathering in Texas, brought teachers, administrators and university faculty members to promote equitable education for English learners and celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of Texas classrooms.

Elizabeth Pierce, a graduate student in curriculum and instruction and BESO president from Lufkin, co-presented "Cultura Riqueza y Translanguaging en la Práctica Internacional: Empowering Educators through Bilingual Pedagogy," with Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies. Their session explored the power of "translanguaging" practices - using all of a person's languages together to communicate and learn - and cultural wealth frameworks in international teaching experiences.

"Getting our students into these larger professional organizations is crucial," Straub said. "Through TABE, they not only gain powerful learning experiences, but also connect with SFA BESO alumni who are now leaders in their districts, advocating for multilingual learners and shaping the future of bilingual education."

This summer, Pierce visited San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, as a part of SFA's study abroad program teaching local students in Las Clavellinas. According to Pierce, the TABE conference and study abroad experience shaped her as a student and educator.

"Sharing about transformational experiences like teaching internationally in Las Clavellinas has had an immediate impact on my classroom practices," Pierce said. "Because of these experiences, I've been given more opportunities in Alto Independent School District to share my expertise and help others see the value of bilingual pedagogy."

Two other BESO members, Miranda Isham, a senior interdisciplinary studies major and BESO treasurer from Lufkin, and Janell Almanza, a freshman interdisciplinary studies major from Cleveland, volunteered at the conference and gained valuable professional development in English as a second language and bilingual instruction and advocacy.

"It's incredible to be in a space where I feel represented and surrounded by people who share my goals," Almanza said. "Seeing bilingual educators from across Texas makes me so excited about my future career and what's possible."

Isham echoed the conference's message of empowerment.

"Advocacy is such an important part of teaching," Isham said. "Learning more about this skill and how to use my voice for my future students will be transformative for me as an educator."

For more information about SFA's chapter of BESO, contact Straub at [email protected].