RUSD Representatives Recognized for Dedication to Multilingual Student Success
Photo credit: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Local winners show off their certificates: (from left) Norma De Leon, Rebekah Criswell, Albert Holmon, Vridiana Mercado, and Heidi Van Deventer.
By Shantell Sunderman
Redlands News Collective
Five dedicated educators and parents from the Redlands Unified School District were honored April 9 at the San Bernardino County Multilingual Recognition Dinner at the San Bernardino City Unified School District Professional Development Center.
Teachers Rebekah Criswell and Albert Holmon, support staff member Norma De Leon, parent Vridiana Mercado and administrator Heidi Van Deventer represented RUSD at the annual dinner hosted by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
The event included dinner and student entertainment while recognizing student essay scholarship recipients, the countywide recipient, a legacy award winner and multilingual award honorees.
Students Genesis Cisneros, Boisabi Chakma and Joselyn Ramirez were recognized for their outstanding essays regarding their experiences learning new languages. Silvia Elvis, an English learner resource teacher from Cucamonga School District, received the Legacy Award.
Photo credit: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Redlands students who received accolades for their essays are, at center (from left): Boisabi Chakma, Joselyn Ramirez and Genesis Cisneros.
Mariachi Encanto, a student group from San Bernardino City Unified School District, provided the entertainment.
In a written message, County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said, “Since its establishment, this event has celebrated the achievements of linguistically diverse students and the devoted individuals who support them.”
Christine Stephens, public information officer at Redlands Unified School District, said the impact of English Language Development (ELD) programs is best seen through the experiences of students and families.
“We regularly hear stories of students who enter our schools learning English and, over time, gain the confidence to participate in class discussions, take on leadership roles, and achieve academic success,” Stephens said. “Many go on to reclassify as fluent English proficient while maintaining pride in their home language, often becoming role models for their peers.”
Stephens added that families find it meaningful to feel welcomed and supported through resources, translation and opportunities to engage in their child’s education through committees such as the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
“We are grateful to the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools for recognizing the dedication of those who support multilingual learners and proud of the continued work happening across Redlands Unified to serve our diverse community,” said Juan Cabral, RUSD superintendent. “These stories reflect the heart of our work: creating pathways for students to thrive academically while honoring the languages and cultures that shape who they are.”
Rebekah Criswell, a teacher at Bryn Mawr Elementary, credited her team and the students for their progress this year.
“The team at Bryn Mawr has worked especially hard this year to meet the needs of our students academically and socially by providing an EL interventionist and also myself, who has been working on speaking, writing, listening, and reading support for our multilingual learners,” Criswell said. “Our multilingual learners have made great progress this year in their learning and students had great confidence and success when they completed their ELD goals this year as well as the ELPAC.”
The event marked the 39th annual recognition dinner.