WIU-QC Spanish Bilingual Early Learning and Family Empowerment Lab Site

 


Vision

The WIU Bilingual Early Learning & Family Center is operated by Western Illinois University's Quad Cities campus. Our vision is to provide an accessible, child-led, play-based, and, most importantly, culturally and linguistically appropriate environment to facilitate a successful learning journey.

Mission

Our mission is to equip each child and their family with an equity mindset, learning readiness, social consciousness, and a true sense of love and joy for learning through a dual language model. We will serve as a growing, learning, and safe space in the Quad City Community for students pursuing early childhood-related careers, and we are hoping to better the current early care and education workforce that serves our community.

 

Goals

  1. Staff will use evidence-based practices to help Children develop 21st century skills, including early literacy and math, to be learning ready for a society that depends on curiosity, creativity, solution-seeking, and collaboration to be successful.
  2. Children will develop a bilingual brain through evidence-based language development processes, with a focus on emergent Spanish Bilingual Programming and Developmentally Appropriate Practices.
  3. Children and families will engage in play and joyful learning experiences that help promote a dedication to lifelong learning and asset-based thinking.
  4. Children, families, and staff will engage in anti-bias and social emotional learning and practices to help develop advocacy and a commitment to justice and well-being in our learning community.
  5. Staff will partner with the community to help create systems of support for families and children.
WIU-QC Spanish Bilingual Early Learning and Family Empowerment Lab Site

Research-Base and Standards Considerations

WIU Bilingual Early Learning & Family Center will follow a project-based learning approach rooted in Reggio Emilia and Waldorf practices - the child is actively engaged with their learning and environment. We will also apply native language development strategies for early education, including the following key practices: translanguaging, interactional protocols, and culturally affirming strategies in an 80/20 language allocation Dual Language model. There will be connections to the following: NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Standards and Developmentally Appropriate Practices, WIDA Early Years Recommendations, IL Competencies for Early Care and Education, IL, IL Early Learning and Development Standards, the Illinois Literacy Framework, IL Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards, and DEC (Division for Early Childhood) Recommended Practices.

WIU-QC Spanish Bilingual Early Learning and Family Empowerment Lab Site

 

Meet Our Staff

Eduardo Pérez, M.S. in Ed. in Early Childhood Education 
WIU Bilingual Early Learning and Family Center Director     
EE-Perez2@wiu.edu 


John Kilburg, B.A. & M.A. in Early Childhood Education
WIU Bilingual Early Learning and Family Center, Assistant Director
JJ-Kilburg@wiu.edu  


Sheyla Nava
WIU Bilingual Early Learning and Family Center, Family Engagement Coordinator
SM-Nava@wiu.edu  


Jenna Smith, A.A.S. in Culinary Arts
WIU Bilingual Early Learning and Family Center Nutrition Operations

Meet Our Teaching Staff

Gricelda Garcia, Lead Teacher
Fluent in Spanish, Proficient in English
I am passionate about the opportunity to create a safe, fun, and engaging learning environment to help children develop essential skills to become independent in the future.

Kim Schafer, Lead Teacher
Fluent in English, Beginner in Spanish
I am passionate about being with children, helping them find their voice and their style of learning while striving to ensure they feel loved, known, safe and valued.

Jennifer Garcia, Assistant Teacher
Fluent in Spanish and English
I am passionate about being a part of this team & making it a safe and fun learning environment for all children.

Isabel Martinez, Assistant Teacher
Fluent in Spanish and English
I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where children feel loved, supported.

Ann Wadsager, Assistant Teacher
Fluent in English & Beginner in Spanish
I am passionate about the success of all of the children and watching them blossom as they are learning new things.

Meet Our Advisory Board

  • Jodi Becker, Black Hawk College
  • Natalie Doyle, Rock Island Regional Office of Education
  • Melissa Gravert, WQPT PBS - WIU-QC
  • Blanca Leal, East Moline School District #37
  • Elizabeth Perkins, Moline/Coal Valley School District #40
  • Maria Ramos-Elisondo, IL Small Business Development Center
  • Alex Riggen, Fidlar Technologies
  • Stephanee Jordan

 

THANK YOU DONORS!

“It takes a Village” is a common phrase in the world of all things children, and that is true for our lab site as well! In addition to the financial and energy commitment of Western Illinois University, the community has shown up in generous ways to support this project. Additional donors have also contributed through fundraising events throughout the last two years and we have also received grant dollars through state affiliated grant opportunities. Please see below for local donors that have contributed donations or grant options of $5000 or more, as well as a link to donate to the project as it continues to develop. All of the donations, small and large are working together to create a new equitable and inclusive early care and education opportunity in the Quad Cities!

  • Quad Cities Community Foundation
  • The Moline Regional Community Foundation
  • The Ontiveros Family
  • The City of Moline
  • WIU Foundation