Nineteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

“Believing firmly in the dignity of every person” (www.sistersofmercy.org/advocacysignup, n.d.), especially those who are immigrating to the United States, educators must work for a just and equitable education system to teach all students. There are three primary questions that will guide our presentation: 1) What does it feel like to immigrate to the United States as a child and grow up in a foreign country? 2) What opportunities have you had while living in the U.S. and what barriers have you encountered? 3) How have those barriers affected your educational experience, PK through higher education? Answers to these questions are based on interviews the presenters have conducted with higher-education staff members who immigrated to the United States for differing reasons and community resources educators. We also examine the importance for educators at all levels, PK through 12 and onto higher education, to understand and apply culturally relevant teaching practices to ensure equitable transition opportunities for all students.