Dual-immersion teachers urge board to preserve aides and secure bilingual coaches

At the public-comment portion of the East Whittier City School District meeting, third-grade dual-immersion teacher Lisa Fragoso thanked the board and Superintendent Dr. Patterson for additional DLI aide positions and for responding to teacher outreach. Fragoso said teachers appreciate the extra staff but warned that relying solely on externally funded mentor teachers restricts support to a limited set of teachers; she urged the district to provide district coaches who are bilingual and trained in dual-immersion methods so that Ocean View and Ceres teachers receive equitable, curriculum-aligned support.

“...if we don't receive support from a district coach, both Ocean View and Ceres teachers are sort of left hanging in the dust,” Fragoso said, arguing that equitable coaching is not simply about having bilingual staff but having coaches familiar with dual-immersion program needs.

The EWAY president (union leadership) also called for greater teacher input on planned training days and a menu-style approach led by district teachers rather than outside consultants. Board members acknowledged the request and noted teacher training plans and coach assignments remain under district consideration as staffing and budgets are reviewed.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; the remarks were entered as public comment for board and staff consideration.