Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) student Katie Olea is using real-life experience to promote linguistic justice and culturally competent settings in elementary classrooms. “My Language, My Identity” is a children’s book authored and illustrated by Olea as part of an end-of-the-year Honors College project.
The book’s main character, Valeria, is a wide-eyed elementary student who immigrates to the United States with her family in search of a better life. Upon arriving, she realizes that despite speaking English, her thick accent and lack of comprehension skills make her the subject of bullying from classmates.
Coupled with feelings of dejection and shame, Valeria becomes disengaged in classroom discussions, which is ultimately recognized by her parents, who decide to take a family trip to the multicultural festival at their local town square. After learning about many cultures – namely Chinese, Polish and French – Valeria realizes the true value of her identity and develops a proud outlook on her future as a student.
“My family immigrated from Mexico, so I had that connection, and they would tell me stories about how they struggled with language,” Olea said. “I got to experience it myself when my uncle, an immigrant who is also the same age as me, moved here and had classes with me.”
Olea, who is pursuing a minor in Spanish, says that the book serves not only as a resource for educators, but for students who struggle with language and their own cultural identity. As part of MSU’s Global Educators Cohort Program, she will spend the summer of 2023 studying the Spanish language in Santander, Spain.
Her ultimate goal is to return home to Connecticut and teach in a bilingual classroom.
“During a time of book banning and curriculum surveillance, Katie’s children’s book is necessary and powerful,” said Olea’s TE 102 Instructor Jessica Reed, who oversaw the assignment. “It advocates for linguistic justice, nurtures youth confidence and names violences that occur in classrooms and society daily.”
Though the book is unpublished, Olea will hold it near and dear in every classroom she enters.