Patty Pereira ’24, ’25, a STAC Honors student who graduated with her BSEd in Early Childhood and Childhood Education and MSEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a Bilingual Kindergarten teacher at Summit Park Elementary in the East Ramapo Central School District.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, Patty taught in a Kindergarten Dual Language Class in Ossining, NY. She has shared her joy of teaching and tells how the TESOL program at St. Thomas Aquinas College has prepared her for a career in education.
Why did you become a teacher? What appealed to you about teaching?
I became a teacher because I’ve always believed in the power of education to transform lives. Teaching appealed to me because it’s more than just delivering content; it’s about building relationships, inspiring curiosity, and creating a safe space where students feel valued. What drew me in most was the opportunity to make a lasting difference.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
What I enjoy most about teaching in a dual language classroom is watching students grow not only academically, but also as confident, compassionate communicators in both languages. There is something so special about seeing a child’s face light up when they realize they can express themselves in Spanish and English — it’s a moment of empowerment that stays with them.
What’s something you wish you knew when you first started teaching that you know now?
Language development takes time — and that progress is not always linear. Early on, I expected to see quick results in both languages. Still, I’ve learned that students often go through silent periods, mix languages, and show growth in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
What are your goals for the future?
As a kindergarten bilingual teacher, one of my main goals is to continue creating a classroom environment where both Spanish and English are valued equally, so students develop pride in their bilingualism and see it as a lifelong asset. I want to expand my use of culturally responsive teaching strategies, incorporating stories, songs, and traditions from diverse Spanish-speaking cultures so my students feel seen and represented. Another goal is to strengthen family engagement by offering more bilingual workshops and resources that empower parents to
support language learning at home. Ultimately, my goal is to help my students leave kindergarten confident, curious, and ready to thrive academically and socially in both languages.
How will the TESOL program help you achieve your goals?
The TESOL program will provide me with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to better support my bilingual kindergarten students as they develop proficiency in both Spanish and English. The program’s emphasis on culturally responsive teaching aligns directly with my goal of creating a classroom where both languages and cultures are equally valued. Additionally, the TESOL program will equip me to collaborate more effectively with families and colleagues by giving me strategies to bridge home and school language use.
For more information about Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, please contact Dr. Lo, Director of Graduate Education (clo@stac.edu), or visit our webpage.
This article was written by Dr. Elizabeth Finnegan, Professor of Education. Please check out the Fall 2025 School of Education newsletter here for more stories and updates.