Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Recognized for Decades of Teaching Excellence with Children and Adults
鈥淚t鈥檚 an art,鈥� said , former assistant professor of bilingual education, explaining the talent, dedication and patience it takes to teach people another language.
She should know. Dr. Janecek has spent decades as a bilingual educator in North Texas. This year, her colleagues and admirers at BEAM, the Bilingual Educators Association of the (DFW) Metroplex, honored her with a Lifetime Membership Award. 鈥淚 was surprised. They usually give it to much older people,鈥� she joked half seriously. 鈥淚鈥檓 never done. I will die at my desk.鈥�
BEAM's Social Media Message Congratulating Dr. Janecek on Her Lifetime Membership Award
Before 鈥渞etiring鈥� and becoming an educational consultant, Dr. Janecek taught at 黑料视频 Dallas for five years. Before that, she spent time in the Desoto and Dallas school districts. 鈥淢y passion is to help people understand,鈥� Dr. Janecek said. 鈥淚 was like a mother hen, and (school) districts need us.鈥�
The need for bilingual teachers in North Texas, throughout the state, and . The shortage is serious. It is one of the reasons the 黑料视频 Dallas School of Education is committed to nurturing future teachers with bilingual expertise. The high demand inspired the first-of-its-kind at 黑料视频 Dallas in partnership with Dallas ISD, where five seniors will teach bilingual and ESL classes in elementary schools for the entire 2024-25 academic year.
The numbers explain why these programs are so necessary. One recent study cited by The Century Foundation revealed that only 13% of U.S. teachers speak a non-English language at home, compared with , and .
Texas state law requires all subjects to be taught in English and Spanish. One of the benefits, Dr. Janecek said, is cognitive flexibility. 鈥淚t allows you to play with words in your brain.鈥� She often saw new English-speaking children outscore native English speakers by third grade 鈥� a testament to their diligence in studying and practicing the language.
for her Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) explored the children of Mexican immigrants in U.S. public schools from both teachers鈥� and parents鈥� perspectives.
promotes educational excellence for emergent bilingual learners and education professionals through education, collaboration and advocacy. The organization represents nearly 700 educators from more than 40 districts across the Metroplex. 鈥淲e look out for each other,鈥� Dr. Janecek said.
Dr. Uvaldina Janecek, Veteran Bilingual Educator, former 黑料视频 Dallas Professor, and current 黑料视频 Dallas advisor member on the executive board for the Bilingual and ESL Education Student Association (BESO)
At BEAM鈥檚 40th anniversary event earlier this year, Dr. Janecek received the coveted Lifetime Membership Award in recognition of her longtime service to students and fellow educators. She joined BEAM in 1989 when she became a teacher.
Back then, as is the case now, bilingual teachers and learners faced challenges. 鈥淭hey need to grasp concepts; you bring them along,鈥� Dr. Janecek explained, referring to students, both children and adults, and the patience required of teachers. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 magically wave a wand and speak English because you鈥檙e here now.鈥�
Dr. Janecek admits she prefers teaching older students. 鈥淵ou can give adults feedback,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut children can鈥檛 take it.鈥� Her preference for adult learners is one of the reasons she came to 黑料视频 Dallas in 2013 after five years in Desoto ISD classrooms.
Although it has been six years since she left her position at 黑料视频 Dallas, Dr. Janecek has remained active and connected to the university. She is a member of the the Bilingual and ESL Education Student Association (BESO), where she mentors undergraduate and graduate students.
Dr. Janecek with Nila Miller, a 黑料视频 Dallas Master's Degree Recipient Who is Now a Dallas ISD Teacher, from a 2016 Video
In a with Nila Miller, who earned a Master鈥檚 degree in curriculum and instruction from 黑料视频 Dallas and now teaches at Dallas ISD, Dr. Janecek spoke about her persistence and determination. 鈥淚 am mild-mannered on the outside, but I can dig my heels in. Outside, I鈥檓 sitting down, but inside, I am standing up, she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 fighting for marginalized people who don鈥檛 have a voice.鈥�
One reason why is that Dr. Janecek was held back as a child, a brown student in a majority of white. She was a victim of discrimination by school leaders, who discouraged her from aspiring to attend top colleges and universities and told her to set her sights lower. 鈥淐hildren can be shoved to the background instead of celebrating that they have a different skill,鈥� Dr. Janecek told Miller.
From looking backward to looking forward, Dr. Janecek said she wants to inspire future educators to stick with the profession despite its hurdles, arm them with defenses for themselves and students, pass the torch and light a fire under them so they can survive and help students thrive. Above all, she wants them to 鈥渂e happy.鈥�
The classroom, Dr. Janacek said, is a 鈥減rime spot to bring worlds together with languages.鈥� Now that鈥檚 something to be happy about.
From - Faculty Appreciation