Celebrating culture – Episode 25

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Latinos in Action, a Minority Achievement Office project, is an elective course at 24 secondary schools within the district.

The co-curricular course focuses on celebrating Hispanic culture and teaches leadership and service skills. Through tutorials, students learn how to work with younger students to teach and improve reading fluency. This mentorship program builds confidence in the mentor and mentee.

In addition to mentoring, LIA programs host a variety of activities to celebrate Hispanic culture on their campuses. From Noche Latina to the Hispanic Festival, students plan and execute activities.

One of the current hardships is figuring out how to tutor in a COVID-19 world. Schools are collaborating to explore a virtual platform.

Check out this episode to learn more about Latinos in Action.

MEET THE GUESTS – (This post was recorded Oct. 7, 2020)

William Badillo, Ph.D., teaches Spanish at East River High School. He was the founding teacher of the Latinos in Action program within OCPS. He earned a Coquí de Oro Award (2009) and Education Champion Award “Tus Raíces” (2019). In addition to teaching, he has an international publication at the University of Costa Rica.  

Hector Bazan Martinez teaches MYP Spanish 1 and Latinos in Action at Roberto Clemente Middle School. He received his general education degree from Universidad de Ciencias Pedagógicas Félix Varela Morales (“Felix Varela” Higher Pedagogical Institute in Cuba).