From Our Associate Commissioner | | |
Dear Colleagues, Families, and Friends,
As we move through the new school year with hearts full of hope and a solemn reminder of the oath we carry as educators: to uphold the right of every child to learn, to dream, and to succeed. This oath is not only moral—it is legal, it is binding, and it is just. The Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe declared that no child shall be denied the promise of education because of where they come from or the papers they hold. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act mandates us to dismantle every barrier of race, color, or national origin. The Equal Educational Opportunities Act requires us to take “appropriate action” so that language never silences opportunity. Lau v. Nichols, which was decided by the Supreme Court over 50 years ago, reminds us that fairness is not sameness; equity demands support, access, and care. These are not only laws. They are our guiding lights. They remind us that our classrooms must be sanctuaries of belonging - places where English Language Learners (ELLs) and newly arrived students see their future reflected with possibility. At the heart of this work stand our teachers - teachers who lift voices, who open doors, who create communities where every child knows they are seen, valued, and capable of greatness. Teachers are present to embody our oath every day. So, as we begin this year, let us recommit to see every learner’s brilliance, to break down every barrier to opportunity, to stand together in our sacred duty, ensuring that education - the great equalizer - remains open and alive for all.
Yours in Solidarity,
Elisa Alvarez
| | 2025 Dominican Republic (DR) TESOL Summer Conference | | This August, OBEWL Associate Commissioner Elisa Alvarez joined prominent Dominican educators, administrators, and policy makers for the 12th annual DR TESOL Summer Conference in Santo Domingo. Led by Dr. Juan Valdez, participants included bilingual English teachers advocating for the teaching of English in Dominican public schools as an issue of equity. English was recently declared the official second language of the Dominican Republic, and this event was focused on the urgency of English education, best practice research, and a commitment to student advocacy. | | Origins of Excellence Summer Program | | NYSED and the Dominican Republic Consulate in New York partnered this summer to offer a unique educational opportunity for recent graduates of Dominican heritage living in New York State this summer. This fully funded program brought students to the Dominican Republic to connect with their culture, spending one week meeting with dignitaries and peers. The objective was to deepen students’ understanding of Dominican history, culture, and identity. Thirty students were chosen based on academic excellence, extracurricular achievement, and a demonstrated commitment to community engagement. Participants engaged in cultural immersion experiences, historical site visits, and educational workshops. These experiences included a tour of a public school with the Minister of Education, a visit to the National Congress, lunch with senators and other government officials, a tour of the National Palace, a gala dinner in the Colonial Zone, and participation in the regular press event La Semanal con la Prensa with President Luis Abinader. This initiative reflects the Consulate's ongoing commitment to youth development, cultural preservation, and educational enrichment for the Dominican diaspora. | | "East Middle School Talks" - Brentwood UFSD | | |
What is EMS Talks?
EMS Talks is a school-wide event in which successful entrepreneurs, professionals, and influencers are invited to share their personal stories of failures and successes with our 6th-8th grade middle school students, developed in connection with Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Brentwood Schools' initiative of Graduation PLUS+. Additionally, EMS Talks aligns with the I AM | WE ARE Brentwood initiative, where participants learn from and with each other, celebrating their unique challenges and successes.
Presenter Testimonial, Esperanza Viera, 2011 Brentwood Graduate
"The most impactful part of the day was the powerful presentations. The bravery of the student speakers moved everyone to tears as they shared their stories and how this program has shaped their journeys. Hearing the teachers speak about their "why" was equally inspiring- a testament to their dedication and unwavering commitment to these children. I'm not sure who walked away more inspired- the students or the room full of our incredible speakers of diverse professions."
Student Testimonials
“I was happy to see people who were just like me when they were young and becoming really successful, giving me hope that one day I can be just like them. I also really liked it, and it was really cool to see all the different jobs they had and how their life were growing up!”
“EMS talk was an amazing experience because I was able to talk to people who are either just starting their career or are almost ending it. This helped me think about the type of future I want to have, and the steps I should take to achieve it.”
| | Indigenous Language Learning | | |
During the 2024–2025 school year, Anne Tahamont and her students from Silver Creek High School embarked on a journey of hands-on learning and cultural revitalization, made possible through funding provided to support Indigenous language and culture programs from the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The academic year was filled with experiences that connected students to their heritage, strengthened community relationships, and deepened their understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems.
One of the highlights was an outdoor cooking event. All of Ms. Tahamont’s high school classes gathered outdoors for a traditional cooking event using clay pots. Students learned how to start a fire, split wood, and cook in traditional clay pots. Students prepared a meal featuring wild onion soup, mush, cedar tea, pine tea, and venison steaks cooked on the rocks. All the food was harvested and foraged locally. The experience highlighted the importance of foodways in cultural survival and the use of natural resources in sustainable and meaningful ways.
In Mr. Tomaszewski’s Field Biology class, students welcomed Yolanda Smith, who guided them in making and taking home plantain salve, blending science with traditional plant knowledge. This activity bridged biology with wellness, giving students both practical skills and an appreciation for ancestral medicinal practices.
A major journey of the year took students to their ancestral homelands along the Genesee River. At Letchworth State Park, they learned about the historical figure, Mary Jemison, and the Genesee Native Americans from Ansley Jemison. Through this experience, students gained historical insight into the lives and resilience of their ancestors. The trip culminated in an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure down the Genesee River, allowing students to physically connect with the lands and waters that hold so much significance for their people.
Together, these experiences created a powerful year of learning that wove together language, land, history, and culture. Through the support of the Indigenous Language Initiative, Ms. Tahamont’s class not only gained skills and knowledge but also strengthened their connection to identity, community, and the living traditions of their ancestors.
| | Mother-Daughter ELL Inspiration | | |
This past May, Doralís Garmon was selected as the keynote speaker for this year’s Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI) ceremony and as a delegate representing New York State in Washington, D.C. As a student leader, Doralís has represented her peers and the school community and continues to pave the way for a future in which she will advocate for others in need of guidance and support.
Mrs. Dabralis Garmon, Doralís's mother and the driving force behind her daughter's success, was a math teacher in the Dominican Republic. After emigrating to the United States in 2006, Dabralis found that her path to teacher certification in the U.S. was not easy. Faced with limited options, Dabralis made the difficult decision to return to school and earn a new degree.
Dabralis took a job as a substitute teacher, providing for her children while continuing to pursue her dream. It was during this period that she was encouraged to apply to the University at Buffalo Teacher Residency Program (UBTR). Thanks to her unrelenting drive, Dabralis has earned her master’s degree in Spanish Education. Dabralis now dedicates herself to advising and mentoring fellow immigrants in the United States, advocating for learning English, and pursuing education. Congratulations to both Doralís and her mom.
“In our countries, we are taught very early in life to be resilient and to keep moving toward our goals, no matter how many obstacles are placed in our path.”
— Dabralis Garmon
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Seal of Biliteracy Scholar - Jose Posadas Guzmán
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“The New York State Seal of Biliteracy is a community that represents success and breaks stereotypes.”
— Joseph Posadas Guzmán
Joseph Guzman is a recent graduate of Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) and a second-generation immigrant whose parents immigrated from Honduras. Spanish was Joseph’s first language, and he exited ENL services in first grade, demonstrating strong proficiency in English. Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by NECSD, Joseph enrolled in the Italian language program and achieved an Advanced Placement (AP) level of proficiency. In addition, he has begun studying Portuguese and aspires to learn more languages in the future.
Outside of academics, Joseph is deeply involved in his church and has participated in missionary trips abroad. These experiences have allowed him to apply his language skills in meaningful ways, enabling him to connect with others and make a positive impact through communication. For Joseph, earning the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) is not just an academic milestone; it is a powerful tool for building bridges across cultures and human experiences. He believes the NYSSB promotes both personal and community growth and serves as a symbol of success and resilience within the Latino community. He encourages educators to invest more in language learning, emphasizing the NYSSB's vital role in fostering cultural understanding and unity.
This fall, he is attending SUNY Orange Community College as a Criminal Justice major. The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages congratulates him on this remarkable achievement.
| | Indigenous Languages Steering Committee | | The Indigenous Languages Steering Committee consists of educators and leaders from the Mohawk, Onondaga, Seneca, Shinnecock, Tonawanda Band of Senecas, Tuscarora, and Unkechaug Nations. This committee was formed several years ago to advise the New York State Education Department on how to support Indigenous language education in our state. The committee meets three times a year and has begun to examine what Indigenous language learning standards should look like. This standards work is being led by Dr. Joanne O’Toole, professor in the Curriculum & Instruction Department of SUNY Oswego and the Principal Investigator for the NYS World Language Standards and Professional Learning Initiative. | | Peekskill Parent Resource Center | | |
The Peekskill Parent Resource Center serves as a vital hub for families, providing essential support and resources. The success of the Parent Center is deeply rooted in its collaboration with local organizations, nonprofits, and public agencies. Libraries, workforce development programs, and social-emotional and cultural institutions further expand the Center’s capacity to serve the whole family. Its programming strengthens the connection between home, school, and community. Led by a dedicated team of professionals committed to family engagement and student success, the Parent Center fosters an inclusive environment where all families feel welcomed, informed, and empowered, including…
- Help navigating school services and community resources
- Family events promoting learning and wellness
- Food, books, personal hygiene, and clothing distribution.
- Parenting, literacy, technology, and academic support workshops
- English as a New Language classes
Contact The Peekskill Parent Resource Center for More Information
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| Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI) | | |
Last school year, over 250 students representing more than 100 schools from across New York State came together in the Capital Region for a milestone event: the 35th Annual Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI). Before the Institute, these exceptional students dedicated themselves to more than 30 hours of curriculum study, exploring topics such as democracy, the legislative process, advocacy, and social-emotional empowerment.
This year's PR/HYLI, entitled Democracy in the Age of A.I., is slated for April 17-20th, 2026. For more information, contact emily.gargiulo@questar.org or your local RBERN.
| | World Languages Fall Workshops | | |
OBEWL is proud to present the Fall 2025 lineup of world language webinars, which are offered free of charge for educators and administrators working and studying in New York State educational institutions. One hour of CTLE credit can be earned for each webinar by meeting the attendance requirements. Registration is required (see links below). All 1-hour webinars are recorded for future on-demand viewing. For more information on these webinars, please visit our professional learning webpage.
Do I Still Teach Grammar? (Yes.) Situating Grammar in Proficiency-Based Instruction
- November 18, 2025
- Webinar description: The eternal question for many teachers transitioning to proficiency-based instruction is, "Do I still teach grammar?" In the proficiency-oriented classroom, grammar structures continue to play an important role. That role, however, is in support of specific language functions aligned to performance indicators for each learning standard. In this session, the presenters will share several approaches for developing students’ increasing levels of control of grammatical structures. These strategies will be embedded within the frame of communicatively and culturally contextualized lesson sequences. Participants will learn how to build their grammar toolbox for instruction at Checkpoints A and B.
Ask Me a Question
- December 2nd, 2025
- Webinar description: Engage students in leveling up from novice to intermediate proficiency and deepening learning by formulating their own questions about thematic real-world topics. A fundamental skill for moving from novice to intermediate is to be able to create questions. This webinar will provide some specific strategies to support students in developing this skill as they aspire towards the intermediate level.
Preparing Teacher Candidates for Professional Success: The World Languages Methods Course
- December 9, 2025
- Webinar description: A rich, sharply focused, and practical World Languages methods course can equip teacher candidates with the knowledge and skills for success in their clinical experiences and beyond. This webinar is designed to inform World Language methods course instructors in undergraduate and graduate programs about the abundance of resources available from NYSED OBEWL to support their instruction, particularly as it relates to preparing candidates to apply the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages. Presenters will familiarize participants with the abundance of resources available on the NYSED OBEWL World Languages website and will share sample instructional and assessment tasks. Participants will consider ways to meaningfully integrate these resources in light of the goals and priorities of their methods course.
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