Project ROYAL - Rigorous Opportunities for Young-children to Accelerate Language: Effects of the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) Model
Project ROYAL was funded by a multi-year National Professional Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Education that was awarded to the School of Education's Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) in 2016. The persistent shortage of credentialed bilingual teachers has long plagued California. Therefore, one of the goals of Project ROYAL was to help build the bilingual teacher pipeline through a scholarship program. CEEL established this scholarship to help academically successful Spanish-English bilingual teacher candidates in their preparation to effectively teach English Learners.
The Project ROYAL Bilingual Teacher Scholarship was competitive and required ROYAL Scholars to teach in schools with English Learners as a condition of acceptance of the funds, as well as participation in Project ROYAL's professional development activities. Also, upon completion of their California bilingual teacher credential program, ROYAL Scholars were required to work serving English Learners for a minimum of three years.
Completed the Program
Antonia Garcia
Graduated May 2018, B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Bilingualism and Biliteracy (Magna cum Lade) and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"As someone who was identified as an English Learner growing up, I understand the difficulties that an EL student can experience. I want to work to provide better programs for these students as well as a safe and additive learning environment, one that values their native language and their background."
Gabrielle M. Patch
Graduated May 2018, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"My long-term goal is to be a classroom teacher but also be an advocate for bilingual education. I want to make sure that people are informed on the benefits of having these types of programs and have the accessibility to have their children be part of them."
Jocelyn Rodriguez-Castro
Graduated May 2018, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"A career in education is important to me as it allows me to become an agent for change and advocate for underrepresented working-class families. Education is key to success and being able to promote from the elementary school level is important for me."
Lauren Teplin
Graduated May 2018, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"I think giving students access to bilingual education is an amazing opportunity for students to develop their literacy skills in Spanish and to instill even more pride in students' cultures. In a world of education with increasing focus on standardized tests, I hope to create an alternative classroom where students are challenged to be curious and think about how they can change the world."
Aislinn Vahí-Ferguson
Graduated May 2018, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"I picked education as my career because I can't imagine a life where I'm not helping others every day. Since I grew up bilingual, I would love to teach students in both languages. I feel I have the motivation to help every student grow and reach their goals."
Hillary Barnes
Graduated May 2021, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"I am passionate about bilingual education and am eager to learn more about ways that I can effectively teach and meet the needs of English Learners. Also, I am constantly on the lookout for professional development opportunities and training that further advances my skills and ability to be a more effective educator."
Jesús Cobián
Graduated May 2020, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"My career goal is to be a teacher in the community I grew up so that I can use the resources I have acquired through my years of higher education to provide students with a solid foundation that will set them up for success. I hope to benefit from the professional development program Project ROYAL offers for teachers of English Learners."
Jacqueline Fijar
Graduated May 2021, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"I am excited for this opportunity to teach in schools with English Learners and gain more knowledge, strategies, theories, and teaching methods to better serve this community. Having been an English as a Second Language student and native of South Central Los Angeles, I understand the struggles and the lack of teacher preparation in urban schools geared toward the success of English Learners."
Fatima Galvez
Graduated May 2020, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"My passion for working with bilingual students and helping them reach their full potential ignites my drive to become an elementary school teacher. I am interested in expanding my knowledge by effectively learning strategies on how to teach English Learners and provide them with the tools needed to succeed in their K-12 education."
Lina Haskel
Graduated May 2019, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"I believe that my background as an English learner, my passion for working with children combined with everything I am currently learning, will be of great benefit to the communities that I am interested in working with. I look forward to using my knowledge of the Spanish language in my teaching. I also look forward to sharing my knowledge while learning from my students' input and different backgrounds. I want to instill in children the passion for their own culture and the interest to learn from others around them."
Elizabeth Lopez
Graduated May 2019, B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Bilingualism and Biliteracy Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"The reason why I wish to become a bilingual teacher is to foster academic understanding and pride in the Spanish language. I want to build connections with non-English speaking students and their families. I strongly believe that parent involvement in early childhood plays a big impact on a child academic success. When the teacher and parent do not speak the same language, it creates a barrier from a child's home and school. I wish to unite both, where all my students feel comfortable in taking chances in both Spanish and English to enhance their learning experience."
Karen Olivera-Martinez
Graduated May 2019, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"As a bilingual teacher, I want to be an activist of social justice. Instead of viewing the Latino/a culture through a deficit perspective, I want to approach the Latino/a culture through a positive lens and highlight its strengths because it can be applied in the learning context."
Lizeth Perez
Graduated May 2021, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"I have a lot of passion for teaching English Learners because I was once classified as an EL throughout all my years in elementary and middle school. As a future Bilingual Teacher, I will be an advocate for language education and help English Learners accelerate in their language and literacy."
Ana C. Romero
Graduated May 2019, B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Bilingualism and Biliteracy Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"As a teacher, I hope to spark my student's love for literature through their native language and their cultures. Eventually, I hope to use my teaching experiences to conduct research that will hopefully help support policy in education. My ultimate goal is to work for the Department of Education where I want to help Bilingual Education become more easily accessible and available nationwide."
Victoria Cuadra
Graduated May 2020, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
"Being an ELL myself, seeing my Latino colleagues losing their Spanish, and my students’ lack of motivation, ignited a flame that I had never felt before: I felt the need to advocate for my culture, my heritage, and my beautiful language."
Daisy Lovera, MA, BASP
Graduated May 2020, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
“Bilingual education is liberating, culturally relevant, improves academics, and supports language acquisition. I want to continue to fight and advocate for educational equity and make others aware of the movement.”
Laura Robledo, MA, BASP
Graduated May 2020, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
“As an immigrant having learned English, I understand the challenges English Learners face. Entering elementary, I was enrolled in my school’s Bilingual Program. I felt welcomed and supported in my learning. For this reason, I have a personal commitment to Bilingual Education.”
Jasmine Quezada, MA, BASP
Graduated May 2021, M.A. in Bilingual Elementary Education Program and a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (BASP)
“We will be launching our Dual Immersion Program and we will be the first Catholic school in Orange County to become a Dual Immersion School. I know that my education will help me help English Language Learners, but it will also help those who are learning Spanish as a second language. I will be able to serve both students in a way that brings the light of Christ to those who enter my classroom.”