By Diana Whittle
Overseeing the transition of Kyrene del Norte into a dual language academy is a job Principal Jaime Soto prepared for his entire life.
While new to the Kyrene district, the experienced educator most recently served for more than a decade as an administrator and language teacher in the Cartwright district in Phoenix.
And, he has been a dual-language learner and Spanish speaker since his childhood in Nogales, Ariz.
“I was raised in a single-parent household by my mother with four other siblings. The value of education was always stressed to us.
“In fact, my mother worked at the Catholic elementary school I attended,” said Soto.
He remembers his mother as a perennial student—constantly taking classes and eager to learn.
“She accumulated lots of credits at various schools, but no college degree—still, she was a role model and instilled in her children that learning was valued. In fact, four of the five children went on to earn college degrees and three became teachers,” said Soto.
His Mexican-American heritage also piqued an early interest in studying the history and origins of Hispanic culture in many countries world-wide and the linguistics behind the Spanish language. He believes it’s important to be bi-cultural as well as bi-lingual.
“I was first exposed to the dual-language curriculum while teaching in Cambridge, Mass., where there is a very diverse population. Most of the Spanish-speaking students there were from Puerto Rico or Haiti, so I learned a lot about the differences in those two distinct cultures,” said Soto.
Previously, in the Kyrene district, the dual-language program was housed at Kyrene de los Niños, but the enrollment grew and required more space.
Since parents showed strong support for expanding the dual-language curriculum, it now is offered at Norte, at Kyrene de los Lagos and at Kyrene Traditional Academy.
In total, about 600 elementary-aged students are expected to participate in dual-language classes this school year.
“It’s a remarkable way for children to be taught because they’re at an age when learning a new language comes readily to them,” said Soto.
Kyrene’s district administrators decided to shift the language focused program from Niños to Norte, so more students can participate.
“By moving the program, it’s a bit like combining two communities since Niños’ students, who want to continue with the dual-language program, must now attend Norte,” said Soto.
But, Soto also says that he wants to reassure families that Norte students who are not in the dual-language curriculum will not be displaced.
“Many of the traditions at Norte will continue as they always have. The plan to transition Norte to a dual-language academy will be implemented over a three-year period. This means that the school will continue to have regular education classes in fourth and fifth grades this coming school year; then fifth-grade only in 2017-18.
“At the end of three years, Norte will be a fully implemented dual-language school throughout all the grade levels. Niños and Norte are now part of a ‘Super Boundary’, and area residents will have the option of sending their children to either school. The dual-language program will no longer be at Niños,” Soto emphasized.
As the school’s newly appointed principal, Soto’s summer break included supervising improvements to the school’s parking area, adding new materials to the library and redecorating classrooms.
He admits that he has been anticipating the start of the school year, as watching children grow and develop gives him personal satisfaction as a “learner leader.” “I think it’s an exciting and positive time for Norte and I am glad to be in the Kyrene district.”
