海角社区

The purpose of this project is to collaborate with Denver Public Schools (DPS) and 海角社区 to create an Open Educational Resource (OER) video collection that demonstrates translanguaging pedagogies in linguistically diverse K-12 science contexts.

Teachers, students and families.

This video collection will be integrated across 海角社区 and CU Boulder science methods courses for students seeking degrees and Colorado teaching licenses in Elementary Education and Secondary Science Education, as well as for DPS in-service professional development for current K-12 teachers.鈥�

This OER collection provides a free, multimodal resource for students and instructors to see, hear, and unpack these practices, allowing educators to reflect on real classroom examples as they prepare to integrate translanguaging into their own science teaching.鈥�

By centering multilingual voices, the project reinforces the pedagogical value of students’ full linguistic repertoires as essential tools for academic success.鈥�

Translanguaging in everyday classroom practice means encouraging students to use their full repertoire to support learning. This can look like discussing ideas with peers in their home language, using bilingual resources, or explaining thinking in whichever language feels most comfortable. By allowing this flexibility, teachers create a more inclusive environment where multilingual students can better understand content and actively participate.

Caitlin G Fine
Producer and Creative Director

Caitlin G Fine served as producer and creative director for the Translanguaging in Science video project. Caitlin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary Education and Literacy at 海角社区. A former science and TESOL teacher at a dual language elementary school in Arlington, VA, Caitlin earned her doctorate in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity from the University of Colorado Boulder. Caitlin works with multi-generational co-design teams to put theory to work by collaboratively imagining, building, trying out, reflecting upon, and refining tools and routines to support translanguaging practices in science classrooms. Her research focuses on exploring how translanguaging pedagogies shift teachers鈥� language ideologies and how teachers can be supported to interpret students鈥� ideas through dignity-oriented and linguistically sustaining lenses.

Douglas A. Watkins
Associate Producer

Douglas A. Watkins served as the Associate Producer in the Translanguaging in Science video project. Douglas is the Manager of K-12 Science Teaching and Learning for Denver Public Schools (DPS). His work in that capacity includes partnering with neighboring research institutions, including 海角社区 and the University of Colorado at Boulder in a Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) known as inquiryhub (iHub). He supports a team of K-12 Science Curriculum Specialists to provide teachers with professional development for science curriculum use and instructional practice. For the past 13 years, he has co-designed professional learning workshops for teachers using storylined curricula and has facilitated professional learning experiences with teachers in the Denver metro area and across the country. Douglas is a distinguished graduate of CU Boulder鈥檚 College of Education Graduate Program, earning a Master鈥檚 degree in Learning Sciences and Human Development. His areas of scholarly interest include sociolinguistics and teacher learning.

Suree Towfighnia
Faculty Advisor and Consulting Producer

Suree Towfighnia served as a faculty advisor and consulting producer in the Translanguaging in Science video project. Suree is a documentary filmmaker and educator originally from Chicago, IL. Since 2000, she has collaborated with communities on films centering environmental justice and human rights issues that shift narratives, inform policy, and transform audiences. Suree is an Assistant Professor in the Journalism and Media Production Department at 海角社区. Her work on this project included supporting the content experts on the video project development, production concerns, and post-production editing and process. In addition, Suree collaborated on hiring students and advised on the video production process.

Joshua Geurink
Production Director and Editor

Joshua Geurink served as lead video specialist and technical director for the Translanguaging in Science video project, where he oversaw all aspects of production and managed a small team. Joshua is a Denver-based videographer and photographer with a strong track record of leading high-impact media projects from concept to completion. As the owner of JV Productions, he specializes in creating professional, story-driven visual content for a wide range of clients. His experience working with large organizations across Colorado has allowed him to contribute to high-level brand media initiatives, producing content that is both visually compelling and strategically aligned with client goals. Joshua is a graduate of 海角社区 with a BS in Video Production.

Erica Schliemann Dur谩n
Teacher Expert

Hailing from Argentina, Erica Schliemann Dur谩n served as a teacher expert in the Translanguaging in Science video project. Erica is a dedicated educator and Dual Language specialist at Bryant Webster Dual Language School in Denver, CO with a profound passion for fostering holistic student growth. With an MA in Educational Leadership and a personal foundation as a former Waldorf student, she brings a unique, heart-centered perspective to the classroom that balances academic rigor with creative exploration. Since moving to the United States in 2021, Erica has specialized in Elementary and Middle School Math and Science, bridging language gaps and making complex concepts accessible in both English and Spanish. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that education should inspire curiosity and empower students to become leaders of their own learning.

Erin Fleischman
Teacher Expert

Erin Fleischman served as a teacher expert in the Translanguaging in Science video project. She has worked in education for 15 years, all at Newlon Elementary in Denver Public Schools. Erica started her career as a third-grade teacher in a bilingual classroom, where she developed a strong interest in supporting multilingual learners. She later worked as an instructional coach, partnering with teachers and supporting classroom instruction. Erica is currently a bilingual fourth-grade teacher and enjoys continuing to grow in her role. One of her favorite parts of teaching is learning from her students every day. Their experiences and perspectives shape her teaching in meaningful ways. Erica values the supportive community and relationships that make Newlon Elementary such a great place to work and learn.

Jose Berm煤dez
Teacher Expert

Jose Berm煤dez served as a teacher expert in the Translanguaging in Science video project. Jose is an experienced and passionate educator who has taught continuously in English and Spanish since 2009. His academic background includes a BA+MA in English Studies, an MA in Teaching, and an MA in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. Jose has experience teaching across grades K-12, which has fostered a strong belief in the transformative power of multilingual education and the value of linguistic diversity. Since moving to the U.S. in 2022, Jose has taught 4th and 5th grade in Dual Language immersion schools. Teaching is his true vocation; he approaches the classroom with energy and a commitment to his students’ success.

Kira Withrow
Teacher Expert

Kira served as a teacher expert in the Translanguaging in Science video project. Currently serving as a Senior Team Lead and 2nd Grade ELA-S teacher at Newlon Elementary School in Denver Public Schools, Kira combines expert classroom instruction with strategic coaching and professional development to drive student achievement and build teacher capacity. Their work also includes partnering with school leaders and families to foster inclusive school cultures and ensure equitable practices for multilingual learners and students with diverse learning needs. Kira holds an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver with a concentration in Urban Education. Their areas of professional focus include culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed practices, and instructional coaching for equity.

Lina M. Mart铆n-Corredor
Content Consultant

Lina M. Mart铆n-Corredor served as a content consultant in the Translanguaging in Science video project. Lina is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education at 海角社区. Her teaching focuses on bilingual education research, CLD/BES instructional methods, and biliteracy development for both aspiring and practicing educators. Drawing on her K-12 experience in ESL, Dual Language Bilingual Education, and Spanish as a heritage language, her research explores interdisciplinary issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and translanguaging pedagogy. Lina received her PhD in Culture, Literacy, and Language from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Alexis Rutt
Content Consultant

Alexis Rutt served as a content consultant on the Translanguaging in Science video project. She is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at James Madison University, where she teaches science teaching methods courses and pursues research at the intersection of science, language development, and teacher preparation. Her work has centered around supporting teachers as they integrate translanguaging and other linguistically sustaining pedagogies in K-12 science classrooms. Alexis received her PhD from University of Virginia in Curriculum and Instruction – Science Education.

Jesse Zancanella
Sound Recordist and Assistant Editor

Jesse Zancanella served as sound recordist and assistant editor on the Translanguaging in Science video project. Jesse is an emerging filmmaker committed to telling the underrepresented and untold stories to the screen. A recent graduate from聽 海角社区 with a BS in Journalism and Media Production, Jesse has a lifelong passion for creativity through visual art, photography, and film. During her time at 海角社区, Jesse contributed to the production of several film projects and assisted with the Waters Connect Us event, a multi-generational effort to protect the environment and human rights. Jesse is highly motivated to create impactful work that shapes the human聽experience.

L贸rien Dancer
Camera Operator and Assistant Editor

L贸rien Dancer served as camera operator and assistant editor in the Translangauging in Science video project. L贸rien is a writer, filmmaker, freelancer and intern for the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media. A recent graduate of 海角社区 with a BS in Production and Film Studies, she is dedicated to telling stories, connecting in shared humanity and building community. With experience working on music videos, short films, documentaries and in photography, L贸rien brings a unique perspective and collaborative spirit to every project.

Luryanne Raymundo Barros
Editing Consultant

Luryanne Raymundo Barros served as a graduate research assistant and editing consultant on the Translanguaging in Science video project. Luryanne is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary Education) program at 海角社区. Originally from Brazil, Luryanne earned her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature from the Federal University of Esp铆rito Santo. She brings seven years of experience as an ESL teacher, having worked with diverse age groups ranging from elementary students to adult learners. Her professional background includes developing interdisciplinary curricula and leading classrooms across diverse education systems. She aims to deepen her expertise in pedagogy, develop innovative strategies for improving student outcomes, and contribute to inclusive educational environments.

Denver Public Schools

• Newlon Elementary School
• Bryant Webster Dual Language ECE-8 School

Metropolitan State University of Denver

• • School of Education
  • Center for Teaching, Learning and Design
  • Department of World Languages

This project was supported by an from the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The resources developed herein are designed to foster inclusive, accessible learning environments. The perspectives and conclusions expressed in this work are those of the project team and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.