WLCSD Dual Language Program celebrates 10th anniversary
by Sara Sedlacek · May 28, 2008

Back in 1996, a teacher in the West Liberty Community School District went to a conference and got an idea. More than 10 years later, that idea has materialized into one of the most successful dual-language programs in the state of Iowa.

According to West Elementary Principal Nancy Gardner, an English-as-a-Second-Language teacher named Sharon Holcomb spear-headed the program beginning 12 years ago.

“She heard the concept of dual language at a conference and believed, certainly, we had all the factors needed,” said Gardner. “She did tons of research on funding opportunities and got a federal Title 7 grant.”

The Title 7 grant was a five year grant for $1.7 million. The district wasted no time and began gathering information the very next year.

“The first year was a year of study,” Gardner said. “We organized trips for the administrators, teachers and parents to dual language schools in Chicago and Milwaukee. We did a lot of reading and studying and had discussions about which model would be best for our district.”

Each model determines how much of the students’ day is learning in each language. The district could choose a 50/50, 80/20 or 90/10 model and decided a 50/50 model would be the best fit.

Throughout all the studying and information gathering, the community had to be educated about what their children and tax dollars would be getting into in the coming years.

“We had community meetings and people were intrigued but they weren’t quite sure about it yet,” said Gardner.

The uncertainty of community members was a hurdle the district was able to jump over, though not easily. After it became clear to members within the school district the journey wouldn’t be easy, or made, if the community wasn’t backing them, a bilingual teacher took the lead in making the information clear to parents.

“Suzanne Yeast demonstrated a lesson for the parents,” Gardner said. “The parents were following the lesson. They were learning Spanish. That really sealed it.”

Gardner explained those involved in the start-up of the program were hoping to have enough interest from both English and Spanish speakers to fill one classroom of pre-kindergarten and one section of kindergarten. The district held a pre-registration and it became clear the interest was definitely there.

“There was so much interest we had to add a section,” she said. “Laura Bradfield was doing pre-k in the morning and in the afternoon and we already knew Suzanne Yeast would have one section of kindergarten but we didn’t know what we were going to do to fill the other section. We had to find another teacher and who should step up to the plate but Jeanette Iske. She didn’t speak Spanish but she knew she wanted to be a part of this. The grant provided funds for a family liaison so Arlette McIff stepped in for the Spanish part of the day.”

Holcomb then became the administrator for the program and Geri Owen was her assistant. The 1997-98 school year was a training year. Teachers were trained and curriculum was developed.

“Everybody really stepped up. It was great,” said Gardner. “It was new and what an undertaking! It was my first year as principal and it was a very exciting time.”

Finally, two years after the idea was first planted in Holcomb’s head, the program was implemented for the 1998-99 school year. With 34 students in the pre-kindergarten program and 20 in the kindergarten program, the West Liberty Community School District’s dual-language program began. The hard work wasn’t over yet, though.

“We were implementing the program in the kindergarten classes but we still had to plan for first grade,” Gardner explained. “We had to start looking for bilingual teachers and materials. The next year we were in first grade but had to start planning for second grade.”

And so it went and continues to go. The first class of kindergartners are now finishing their freshman year of high school and the planning continues in order to follow them through their senior year.

“The group in ninth grade now is just phenomenal,” Gardner said. “You’re always seeking to improve the program and they were really the pioneers. The kids and parents are to be commended. They’ve worked so hard to make it a success.”

And a success it has been, according to those ninth graders. Thomas Allen and Jason Cardenas are just two of the 15 remaining “pioneers” who have found success in the dual-language program and plan to continue with the program through high school.

“I think it’s been pretty good,” said Cardenas, who speaks Spanish at home. “It’s going to open doors for more opportunities.”

Allen, who speaks only English at home, said the program will definitely aid him in the future.

“I think it will open the door for more job opportunities,” he said. “I definitely plan to continue my Spanish when I go to college.”

Allen said he plans to go to college as a communications major. Cardenas said he plans to go into engineering and he believes being bilingual will help him get jobs.

In addition to having more opportunities available to them after they leave West Liberty, Gardner recognized the opportunities the dual-language students have while they’re still in the program.

“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “We’ve had great opportunities. We had first graders who were able to go and listen to a speech from Gov. Vilsack. Visitors from all over the world come to our schools to see the program. We’ve certainly come a long way.”

The dual-language program recently allowed West Liberty to become the first International Spanish Academy in Iowa, which has allowed administrators and teachers the opportunity to meet with other administrators and teachers from other programs.

“It’s affirming to see we’re on the right track,” Gardner said. “This has been a great process for everybody.”