Coralis Mollitor
Enriching Second Language Acquisition for Emergent Bilinguals
Applied Digital Learning 2024-25
Applied Digital Learning: Finale
A look back at a year long journey. This page holds the dedication to those whom contributed to the innovation before you.
Let’s talk
Felt
Passionate
Frustrated
Relentless
Motivated
Applied Digital Learning:
Journey
How It Started
Personal
I felt confined before enrolling. I was restless. I need education to change, but I didn’t know how or where to start. I kept waiting for the right moment that never came. By the time, I started the ADL program, I was looking for a step to propel into finding footing in shaping education in EB classrooms.
Program
When I started, I didn’t know what the program encompassed. I incorrectly assumed that this program would be like all other courses: read-write-submit.
I am happy I was wrong.
If I knew what I discovered through this journey, I would have done a different innovation plan.
My plan focuses on ePortfolio and blogging in emergent bilingual classroom for language acquisition. I should have seen ePortfolio as a platform for delivering authentic education in EB classrooms
I would have focused on the implementation of other tools, such as blended learning. I would redesign EB education to use ePortfolios as a platform and push the use of games, AI, virtual realities and more in the direct use of learning.
I had to stop procrastinating. I became an active participant in the cataclysm.
Learning Process
This was my first course, alongside ePortfolio course. In this course, I selected my topic-my passion. I established my focus on improving education which was the education of emergent bilinguals. This is an area I am familiar with. I have was an EB student and have served as a bilingual teacher for ten years. I learned how to identify a need, present research on the topic of EBs, and design the skeleton of a plan. I identified problems and possible solutions using digital tools to equip teachers with the knowledge required to promote translanguaging skills during instruction.
During this course, I began crafting my voice. I answered questions such as "who am I reaching?", "what do I want to do?", and "how will I strive for change?". I learned to define my role and that of my beliefs in the world. While crafting my craft, I learned to collaborate with others. The discussion groups were designed for collaboration as well as the first practice in connecting with an audience.
Here I was challenged for the first time. For change to happen it has to start with me. I struggled during this course. I learned to reflect on myself and change how I see my own growth. At the time of this course, I was unforgiving and strived for perfection. I was still fixed on the completion of the program and not the acquisition of knowledge. Now, I have redone, updated, and scrapted work I have turned in. I have completed a lap around the principles of this program, but the cycle is not over.
For example, this was the original media that I created, however, the technology could not support it. I tried and am so proud of it.
I learned how to be the leader my community. After completing the other courses, I have expanded my crucial moments beyond lesson planning. It is important to connect with the participants-teachers; they are the ones that will ensure emergent bilingual students receive the education they need. The moments I will move my focus towards are those learned in 5389 and 5318: the development of the participants.
While learning about AI in the classroom, I learned how to implement the skills and knowledge during the planning of lessons. By combining the lead and lag measurements of my plan with the measurement of translanguaging in instruction, I can relate the desired effect of the plan on EB education.
Passionate
After extensive learning, it was time to create the environments that will equip educators, specialists, and EB students. That environment consisted of promoting language and culture, acquisition of a second language, and building confidence. These nuggets of learning prepared me to create the professional development and implementation courses to enhance the plan for EBs.
To conclude the learning phase of the program, I learned how easy and inconspicuous COVA components can be implemented and its impact on my knowledge. The components worked in allowing me to create a solution in renovating EB education.
It Worked!
Relentless
Combing the teachings from 5304 with the development of my plan has resulted in the development of a course and professional development to support participants in learning. These courses are combined with the results from my learning philosophy and learning environments to create resources for those following the plan.
Accomplished & Created
Highs
Lows
I completed the program in a year which to be successful, I had to give up relaxation and recovery time.
I can’t put the blame on the ADL program. I had a horrible career year:
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Only certified teacher; no paraprofessional
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34-40 students per class
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No Spanish Curriculum
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Reconstruction in the building: April-May without AC in Texas.
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Admin and district that refused to acknowledge the situation and help
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Hindsight 20/20, I would’ve focused on the
use of ePortfolio and its accessibility in EB classroom. I did come back and tie in ePortfolio with my other research in helping EB education.
The programs structure and alignment made it impossible to fail. It’s designed to promote innovation and learning using the components of COVA.
COVA! Learning in an environment that uses these component is thrilling!
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Choice to focus on EB education (passion/interest)
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Ownership: these are my thoughts, beliefs, and ideas.
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Voice through blogging and sharing my content (podcast)
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Authentic learning. This is related to those I serve, I get to apply what I researched based on my choices.
Every time I turned in a project, I would have that feeling equivalent to being on a rollercoaster. The anxiety and thrill of what will happen, feedback, were high moments for me.
It Worked!
Passionate
Frustrated
Relentless
Motivated
Collaboration at Work
It Worked!
What's Next?
Personal
Implement my growth mindset plan by keeping up with exercise, yoga, and weekly reflection.
I dropped the ball on this one, twice.
Get back to drawing and painting. Go for coffee and brainstorming.
What is next for me academically (after financially recovery):
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Diagnostician
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Speech Therapy
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Phycologist
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Admin Cert.
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Lead professional development
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Bribing my former team lead to create a podcast with me.
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Sneak my way into being a lead in the department of education.
Motivated
Professional
Help Parents.
Create a learning management system and combine a flipped classroom format to provide support for parents. Teach them the concept to help students at home.
Now that I am ‘done’ with this stage, I am excited to continue on with my plan in the classroom. I am still frustrated that I am not doing enough, but I am closer in getting my footing in the right place. I have ideas and plans that pair with the ADL program that I will be incorporating this academic year. They are ideas for improving education but are not limited to EB education.
To all whom allowed this journey to happen,
My first assignment for this program was my innovation plan letter, it is fitting that I conclude my last assignment with one as well. Professors, paras, and peers thank you for the opportunity to share a part of me. Thank you for the encouragement and feedback that will shape my teaching and education in general. I appreciate your time, compassion, and understanding at every stage of this path. Professors, thank you for taking the time to guide us through real learning. You may not see the impact you create, but know it is transformative. I wish to accomplish the same as you, set others for success and contribute to the redesign of the future.
Family. Thank you for putting up with my late nights, anxiety, and isolation throughout this time. Ricky and Sharik, thank you for ensuring that I socialized and left the confine of my house; whether it was your wedding or trivia night with the boys, I appreciate the time to step away from work and school. Mai! Where do I start? Thank you for collaborating with me, being my therapist, and talking me through my projects when I was stuck or excited. I should add you as co-contributor because you know this plan as much as I do. A special thanks to Diva for staying literally by my side and taking naps while I worked.
Friends: Edison, Smiley, and Bowling. Thank you for having my back and supporting me during PLC. I know you guys and admin thought I was crazy when I would talk about my courses and projects. The three of you would try anything I would throw at you without batting an eyelash. I cannot wait for our next adventure; fingers cross, I convince you to do a podcast with me.
Fellow Emergent Bilingual Activist. I hope this place inspires you to rejuvenate the education for those we serve. We are the voice of our students and are the most willing to help them. I ask of you to expand my knowledge and those in our communities in ways to assist EBs. Thank you for your time and sharing the same beliefs of preparing the future to surpass the standards and expectations placed upon them.
Sincerely,
Coralis Mollitor