A YOUNG HEART SPARKS FIRE

Dayami Vera, junior bilingual education major, was sitting in class with her professor and mentor Patsy Robles-Goodwin, professor of education and director for bilingual/ ESL programs, when she was struck by lightning.

Well, not real lightning, but metaphorical lightning – that “aha” moment Texas Wesleyan is so good at creating.

“She showed us a movie called Walkout, and it was about the [1968] East Los Angeles walkouts – when Chicano students weren’t allowed to speak Spanish in the school [and advocated for reforms],” Vera said. “Ever since I learned about it, I’ve talked about diversity and inclusion more and more.”

The movie hit home because Vera is from California and is a first-generation college student. California Proposition 227 effectively ended bilingual classes in many cases. “I was giving my mom a tough time before that,” said Vera, who was struggling without access to bilingual classes. “I didn’t know she didn’t have the option.”

Opportunities like the Rebecca and Jon Brumley Scholarship are vital to providing bilingual education to people like Vera at Texas Wesleyan. Since the Brumleys started offering bilingual scholarships in 2016, 39 bilingual education majors have received their support, including Vera.

In addition to her schoolwork, Vera works at Corner Bakery and then a night shift at Amazon.

“These summer classes are 16 weeks compacted into a month, so it gets pretty complex,” Vera said. “Because of the scholarship, I was able to not worry about picking up extra shifts.”

The scholarship covers the gap in financial aid for bilingual education students who, like Vera, often take summer session courses to reach their degree plan and deepen their language skills. The recipients receive not only scholarship support, but mentorship from Rebecca Brumley, who meets the recipients each year and encourages continuous communication.

Bilingual education is a focus of the School of Education. In addition to the Brumleys’ support, Robles-Goodwin is running a $2 million five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to recruit, train and place bilingual students in urban settings.

That’s not easy work, and RoblesGoodwin devotes enormous amounts of time outside of the classroom helping students make connections that will allow them to clear the many hurdles that come with becoming a bilingual teacher – certifications, job interview training and connections can be just as important as the schoolwork. Not to mention getting up to speed in an education environment that both desperately needs these instructors – yet makes getting the skills needed to thrive so difficult.

Vera finds the support of Brumley, Robles-Goodwin, School of Education Dean Carlos Martinez and her classmates motivating – she channels positive energy into personal growth and inspiration. She was inspired by her sister, a Texas Wesleyan graduate, who encouraged her to do the same. Her sister is completing her master’s from another institution soon, and the two hope to graduate at the same time.

“[Brumley] takes a direct interest in the students, and the students recognize that,” Martinez said. “That’s the difference between funding a gift and making a commitment. She is committed to these students – and who they are becoming.”

Her experiences have motivated Vera to become the bilingual teacher she never had growing up – and she says she’s taking it all in like a sponge. “Dayami in class is like a kid in a candy shop,” Robles-Goodwin said. “She’s smart and unique – she’s a hard worker and has this positive energy that brings so much to class.”