Stanislaus State Alumna Jenny Yang (B.A. in liberal studies) is drawing from her education and culture to teach third graders in a Hmong dual language immersion program at Vang Pao Elementary in Fresno. The program is one of two Hmong dual language immersion programs in California and one of five in the United States. She is also one of the first Hmong American educators to be a part of the program.
Yang was recently featured in an episode of PBS’s Inside California Education program. The segment followed Yang as she taught her students in Hmong and English.
Vang Pao Elementary is largely composed of Spanish-speaking and Southeast Asian students, who are predominately Hmong. Forty percent or more of the students are English language learners, who are mixed with English proficient speakers. While the program welcomes students from all ethnicities, it is especially meaningful for students of Hmong descent.
“The program allows students to find their identity as a Hmong American today. Students of Hmong descent are tracing their roots and their family’s exodus to the United States. More importantly, they’re learning ways to utilize their bilingual skills to help society and to prepare for a global economy.”
While at Stan State, Yang participated in the Asian Bilingual Teacher Education Project (BTEP), a federally funded grant program where Professor of Liberal Studies Daniel Soodjinda was the faculty mentor for Hmong students. The project, operated through Cal State Northridge, worked to increase the number of bilingual Asian American teachers in California.
“She is one of many success stories from the project, and is one of the most motivated, passionate teachers I've met,” Soodjinda said. “It's clear from her work that she's made an impact with the Hmong community, and I'm glad to see that she's been able to leverage her Hmong language skills with students.”
Soodjinda highlighted the importance of recruiting, training and supporting new teachers who can navigate culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. Teacher Educators have the opportunity to guide new teachers to teach from a place that builds upon their students’ assets while addressing their needs. This allows teachers to simultaneously confront the practices in K-12 schools that have historically oppressed students of color.
Programs like BTEP were developed to let our bilingual Asian American teacher candidates know that their language skills are valuable and needed — and to confront the policies in place that have made students' whose first language is not English feel less than.”
Yang broadened her horizons by completing the Credential Program at Cal State Fullerton and decided to pursue graduate school.
“If it weren’t for my professors who shared their knowledge and insights outside of the Valley, I wouldn’t be here today. These experiences allowed me to come back and serve in the Valley.”
