CHAMPAIGN,Ill. – A panel of local educators who specialize in meeting the needs of immigrant children will discuss strategies for providing early childhood and elementary education to young Latinos at noon on Oct. 14 (Friday).
Lissette M. Piedra, a Univeristy of Illinois social work professor and the editor of “Our Diverse Society: Race and Ethnicity – Implications for 21st Century American Society” and “Creating Infrastructures for Latino Mental Health,” will be the moderator.
Champaign County has one of the nation’s fastest-growing Latino populations, Piedra said. The discussion is the first in a yearlong series that will explore challenges for service providers in education, public health and social work. The series is part of a project funded by a Focal Point Grant from the U. of I. Graduate College. It is designed to promote collaboration among scholars, providers and community members.
Panelists include Cris Vowels, principal, and Lily Jimenez, English language learner teacher, both at Washington Early Childhood Center, Urbana; Sandra Davila, bilingual teacher, and Deborah Poblano, bilingual social worker, both at Leal Elementary School, Urbana; and Joseph Wiemelt, the director of bilingual and multicultural programs in Urbana public schools.
The hour-long panel, in room 2015 at 1010 W. Nevada St. in Urbana, is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be provided.
