Retreats

Retreat - September 24th

We had 22 students (and 5 research team members) that attended the Latinx student retreat on September 24, 2022, in the Interactive Research Methods Lab. Our morning began with a book study on the book En Comunidad: Lessons for Centering the Voices and Experiences of Bilingual Latinx Students. Each of the students in attendance received a copy of the book and a journal. The authors of the book joined us through zoom. We learned from Drs. Carla España and Luz Yadira Herrera about the importance of language and literacy that reflects the life of kids.

We were able to reflect on our experiences with language. We also had students create dream boards and document their dreams of the kind of teacher they want to be. We asked them to share on social media. You can view the wakelet here for those that shared it on Twitter.

 We also heard the inspiring story of Jaime Garcia Caycho, Gwinnett County Public School's first Latinx teacher of the year. She shared her journey of being an immigrant, her struggles with being a DACA recipient, and her journey to becoming a teacher. She challenged our students to be their authentic selves wherever they go. Ms. Garcia Gaycho’s story inspired our students and several of them expressed that she was the kind of teacher they wanted to be.

Our day ended with Dr. Rodriguez reading A Letter to First Generation Students From a Professor that Cares. We then had the students write letters to their younger selves. Students shared some of the hardships that they have overcome and some of the challenges that they continue to have. We will meet with this group of students once a month and are excited about supporting them in their journey to becoming a teacher.