Round Lake teacher says two languages better than one
Evelyn Romo is a first-grade bilingual teacher at Indian Hills Elementary School in Round Lake Heights. This is her fourth year teaching in Round Lake, and ninth overall.
She graduated with a bachelor of science in education, with a focus on bilingual/bicultural education, from Illinois State University and later earned a Master of Arts in Reading from Concordia University. She's currently taking additional courses to further develop her craft.
When not in the classroom, she spends a lot of time with her husband cheering on their sons who are involved in sports. She also enjoys working out regularly, especially attending Zumba classes, and spending time with "awesome friends."
Q: What drew you to teaching in a bilingual classroom?
A: My experiences as a student in elementary school inspired me to be a teacher. I had amazing teachers who worked tirelessly to ensure that all students knew they could be successful.
I teach bilingual students who have parents who primarily speak their native language at home. However, the students have had the wonderful opportunity to have been learning both languages, English and Spanish, at the same time. I had a similar experience growing up and I am able to relate to the students.
I want to be that teacher who leaves a mark and inspires them to go after their dreams and be who they are, just like teachers did for me.
Q: What are some of the added benefits a student receives from being in your program?
A: An obvious benefit to being in a bilingual program is that students will be able to speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish. They are being taught that their home language is valuable and no one is asking them to be someone they are not.
They are learning that it is an advantage to be fluent in two languages. Students also benefit from learning in a language that their parents also speak. This opens doors to their parents being able to support them at home.
That home-school connection makes a great difference in the motivation of students.
Q: What are some of the challenges you face in your classroom, and how do you overcome them?
A: One challenge that I have is that my students are required to take district or state tests in English. These tests are not designed to test language proficiency, they are attempting to get an idea of what students know and don't know.
I find that it is unfair, because it doesn't clearly represent all that bilingual students know. I overcome this challenge by encouraging students to use what they know in Spanish to help them in English.
Q: What advice do you give to the parents of your students so that their learning continues outside the school setting.
A: Teaching first grade requires frequent communication with parents. I want them to know that we are working together to teach their children. I give them advice to talk and read to their children often.
No matter the language, I want students to develop a love for reading. They learn a great amount of vocabulary, grammar, information about the world, and so much more through reading.
I also give parents the advice to connect to community resources, such as the public library or the local park district.