Education
Research Interests
Too often, students who come to school speaking languages or dialects other than “standard” English are positioned as lacking language skills rather than celebrated for their rich and varied linguistic repertoires. I want our K-12 schools to be culturally and linguistically sustaining spaces where multilingual youth can thrive. In my research I have been examining how to prepare secondary science teachers to work with multilingual learners, while in my university-school partnership work I have helped implement curricula that center the expertise of multilingual youth.
Mentoring Experiences
I’ve coded interview and classroom observation data with research interns as part of NSF-funded projects examining preservice math and science teacher learning; supported undergraduate facilitators as they engaged 4th and 5th graders from Harding Elementary in reading and writing about our maritime community; and taught alongside undergraduates through SKILLS, a program that introduces high school students to concepts and research methods from sociocultural linguistics. Throughout, I have been inspired by the energy, creativity, and idealism of UCSB undergraduates, and have relished the opportunity to learn from folks with such rich lived experiences, skills, and perspectives. Collaborating and building mentoring relationships with undergraduates has been a highlight of my graduate education.
Meaning of the Award
Mentoring is critical for ensuring undergraduates, particularly those from underrepresented groups, can access the resources, opportunities, and support they need to flourish. I am so appreciative of the mentoring work my graduate student colleagues are doing and deeply honored to be recognized with this award.