UW-Green Bay Education program strengthens partnership with Casa ALBA Melanie

This summer, UW-Green Bay lecturer Shara Cherniak (Professional Program in Education) is strengthening a partnership with the local community organization Casa ALBA Melanie and their “La Escuelita” program (meaning “The Little School”). The program offers bilingual classes for 3- and 4-year -olds and their parents or caregivers. Cherniak is well-equipped to do this work given her academic background in Early Childhood Education, Spanish language competency, and passion for language and culture.

This collaboration will serve UW-Green Bay Education students as well as Latinx families. Education students will have the opportunity for pre-service hours in this program and develop dispositions and pedagogy valuing students’ home language and culture preservation.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for UW-Green Bay students to learn and practice teaching in ways that center students home languages and cultures,” Cherniak says. “It’s also fabulous for La Escuelita to have access to the research and teaching expertise of UW-Green Bay.”

Cherniak’s long-term vision is to create a viable opportunity for public dual-language programing for young children in Green Bay and to serve as a resource hub supporting dual-language schooling for students in Green Bay throughout their entire academic career. Her work will continue into the upcoming academic year and beyond.

See more information at the Casa ALBA Melanie website, including early education programs for Latinx families.