Rebecca reflects on her journey into education and how her lived experience as a bilingual learner shaped her belief that bilingual education should not be exclusive--but accessible to all students. She challenges the idea of bilingual programs as a pathway to English, instead reframing them as a pathway to multiculturalism, equity, and expanded worldviews.

The conversation explores what it truly takes to build effective dual language programs--from preparing teachers with the right sociocultural competencies to ensuring they have the academic language skills needed to teach content, not just language. Rebecca also highlights systemic challenges, including the lingering impact of English-first policies, lack of teacher preparation pipelines, and the tension between bilingual instruction and monolingual accountability systems.

She also shares how her school integrates identity work, social justice, and cultural celebration into daily learning--moving beyond isolated heritage months to build a year-round culture where every student's background is valued. Through real examples, including student-led advocacy and community conversations, Rebecca illustrates what it looks like when schools truly center belonging and voice.

Key Moments

03:00 'Why Bilingual Education Should Be Inclusive'
07:30 'The Impact of English-First Policies on Schools'
11:40 'What Bilingual Teachers Actually Need'
16:00 'Balancing Spanish Instruction with English Accountability'
21:00 'Why Families Must Be Part of Language Development'
25:30 'Screen Time vs Real Language Practice'
30:00 'Bilingual Education as Social Justice'
36:00 'Centering Identity and Student Voice in Schools'
42:00 'The Power of Bilingualism for Future Generations'

Why You'll Love This Episode

If you're leading or building bilingual programs, this episode offers a thoughtful, systems-level perspective on what makes them successful--and what continues to hold them back. Rebecca breaks down the real gaps in teacher preparation, curriculum design, and policy alignment, while offering a clear vision for how schools can move forward.

You'll also gain a deeper understanding of bilingual education as more than instruction--it's identity work, community building, and social justice. This episode will challenge how you think about language learning and inspire you to create environments where students don't just learn another language, but learn to value who they are.

Connect with Rebecca Heneise

Bilingual Education Leader, New Los Angeles Charter School
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-heneise-ed-d-087959249
Website: https://www.newlosangeles.org/

Connect with Us
Ruben Arias
CEO & Founder, Beeverso
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rariasa
Website: https://www.beeverso.org/

About Beyond Translation
Beyond Translation explores how school leaders are navigating the real challenges of serving multilingual learners in bilingual and dual language programs. Through candid conversations with principals, assistant principals, and instructional leaders, the podcast highlights what is working, what is not, and what meaningful, culturally responsive education truly looks like for Spanish-speaking students.

Subscribe & Listen
If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond Translation for more conversations with educators working to ensure students can succeed academically without losing their language, identity, or voice.

In this episode of Beyond Translation, host Ruben Arias sits down with Jaime Gonzalez, Principal at Nestor Language Academy. Jaime shares how his personal journey growing up between the U.S. and Mexico shaped his leadership and commitment to building meaningful dual language experiences for students.

From crossing the border daily as a child to now leading a TK–8 dual immersion school, Jaime reflects on what it means to truly live between two languages and cultures. He explains how those experiences influence his approach to creating a school environment where students feel seen, valued, and empowered in both English and Spanish.

The conversation dives into how Nestor Language Academy has evolved—particularly after the pandemic—from limited Spanish resources and translated materials to a more intentional, standards-based bilingual program. Jaime shares how his team introduced structured Spanish curriculum, expanded access to culturally relevant texts, and built systems that support both academic achievement and identity development.

He also highlights the importance of data-driven instruction, continuous improvement cycles, and strong family engagement. From weekly teacher collaboration to student goal-setting and parent communication, Jaime outlines how aligning all stakeholders creates a culture where bilingualism is not just supported—but celebrated as a lifelong advantage.

Key Moments

04:01 Bilingual education in Chula Vista

06:26 Developing a dual immersion program

10:28 Increasing Spanish book availability

15:09 Implementing a culture of data

16:30 Engaging parents and students

21:36 Challenges in Spanish-English Education

23:12 Addressing kids' social emotional needs

26:24 Supporting Spanish education program

28:55 Senior day experiences shared

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode offers a powerful blend of personal story and practical leadership. Jaime brings a unique perspective as both a former bilingual student and a current school leader, making his insights especially relevant for educators working in similar communities.

You’ll gain a clear understanding of how to move beyond surface-level bilingual programs and build systems that truly support biliteracy, identity, and long-term student success. From curriculum decisions to data practices and community engagement, this conversation provides actionable takeaways for anyone leading or supporting multilingual learners.

Connect with Jaime Gonzalez

Principal, Nestor Language Academy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-gonzalez-4218b76b

Website: https://nestor.sbusd.org/

Connect with Us

Ruben Arias

CEO & Founder, Beeverso

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rariasa

Website: https://www.beeverso.org/

About Beyond Translation

Beyond Translation explores how school leaders are navigating the real challenges of serving multilingual learners in bilingual and dual language programs. Through candid conversations with principals, assistant principals, and instructional leaders, the podcast highlights what is working, what is not, and what meaningful, culturally responsive education truly looks like for Spanish-speaking students.

Subscribe & Listen

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond Translation for more conversations with educators working to ensure students can succeed academically without losing their language, identity, or voice.

In this episode of Beyond Translation, host Ruben Arias sits down with Cloris Paulette Rangel, Executive Director of Multilingual Education at Richardson Independent School District. Dr. Rangel brings a deeply personal and professional perspective shaped by her upbringing in a Spanish-speaking household near the U.S.-Mexico border and her extensive work supporting multilingual learners across diverse communities.

Dr. Rangel reflects on how language loss within her own family—particularly the inability to communicate fully with her grandparents—became a defining moment that shaped her purpose in education. What began as a personal realization evolved into a lifelong commitment to ensuring that students never feel disconnected from their identity, culture, or family due to language barriers.

The conversation explores her leadership in building multilingual programs that go beyond compliance and truly center belonging. From pioneering two-way dual language programs to supporting newcomer students from dozens of national backgrounds, Dr. Rangel shares what it takes to create systems where language is seen as an asset—not a limitation. She also highlights the importance of maintaining high expectations for all students, regardless of their starting point, and ensuring they have access to grade-level content with the right supports in place.

Dr. Rangel also speaks candidly about the realities many multilingual learners face, including interrupted education, trauma, and systemic inequities. She emphasizes the need for educators to see the “whole child” and to design programs that balance academic rigor with emotional and cultural support.

Key Moments

04:30 “Growing Up Between Languages and Cultures”

08:45 “The Impact of Language Loss in Families”

12:50 “Why Multilingual Education Is Personal”

17:15 “Moving Beyond ‘Spanish as a Bridge to English’”

21:00 “Supporting Newcomer Students Across Cultures”

25:00 “Balancing High Expectations with Real Supports”

29:10 “Language as Survival and Opportunity”

33:00 “Designing Programs for the Whole Child”

38:50 “Building Belonging Through Language and Culture”

41:20 “Responding to Families: Why Spanish Still Matters”

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode offers a powerful and human-centered look at multilingual education through the lens of leadership, identity, and lived experience. Dr. Rangel brings both systems-level insight and deeply personal stories that highlight why language preservation is critical—not just for academic success, but for connection, dignity, and generational continuity.

You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to design programs that truly support multilingual learners—from newcomers navigating trauma to students balancing multiple cultural identities. If you’re working to build equitable systems or strengthen bilingual programs, this conversation will challenge and inspire your approach.

Connect with Dr. Cloris Rangel

Executive Director of Multilingual Education, Richardson Independent School District
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clorisrangel/
Website: https://web.risd.org/

Connect with Us
Ruben Arias
CEO & Founder, Beeverso
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rariasa
Website: https://www.beeverso.org/

About Beyond Translation
Beyond Translation explores how school leaders are navigating the real challenges of serving multilingual learners in bilingual and dual language programs. Through candid conversations with principals, assistant principals, and instructional leaders, the podcast highlights what is working, what is not, and what meaningful, culturally responsive education truly looks like for Spanish-speaking students.

Subscribe & Listen
If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond Translation for more conversations with educators working to ensure students can succeed academically without losing their language, identity, or voice.