Irizarry Ramos joins DESE Office of Language Acquisition as a senior strategist for multilingual and dual language education

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Elenita Irizarry Ramos, a postdoctoral research associate specializing in Bilingual and Dual Language Education, Equity, and Inclusion at the College of Education, is set to join the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) office as a senior strategist for multilingual and dual language education.

Irizarry Ramos brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of bilingual education, and her appointment is expected to advance further the promotion of language diversity and inclusivity in Massachusetts schools. In her role as the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub (WMBH) Coordinator, she has been actively involved in collaborating with the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, Springfield Public Schools, Holyoke Public Schools, and Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership to enhance bilingual education programs in the Western Massachusetts area.

“Dr. Irizarry Ramos’ contribution has been fundamental in implementing our team program evaluation project, developing research projects related to an integrated STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) disciplinary biliteracy framework, inspiring collaboration among the WMBH constituents, and addressing the priorities of our community of Latiné students and educators," said Assistant Professor Marialuisa Di Stefano, project lead for the Bilingual Hub. "Dr. Irizarry Ramos will be a tremendous asset to the DESE OLA office and will further strengthen our collaboration with our partnering school districts and our state education agency."

During her time at UMass, Irizarry Ramos conducted valuable research on how the WMBH supports dual language educators in Spanish-English Programs across the region. Her work has focused on documenting the effectiveness of educational initiatives and teaching practices that facilitate optimal learning outcomes for dual language educators, administrators, district leaders, and support staff.

"My time as a postdoc here at UMass, under the mentorship of Dr. Marialuisa Di Stefano, has been one of the highlights of my career," said Irizarry Ramos. "I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her and colleagues at the college to make a lasting impact on multilingual learning. Together, we can ensure that all students have access to high-quality bilingual education and dual language programs that promote inclusivity and equity.”

As the new senior strategist for multilingual and dual language education at DESE, Irizarry Ramos will play a pivotal role in shaping statewide policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing language acquisition and bilingual education programs. Her extensive research and practical experience in working with schools and educators will be invaluable in developing strategies that support language learners and foster a culture of inclusivity and equity in the educational system.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Elenita Irizarry Ramos to DESE’s Office of Language Acquisition," said Allison Balter, director of the Office of Language Acquisition at DESE. "Her experience and expertise will help strengthen multilingual and dual language education across the Commonwealth and shape statewide policies and practices to realize the full intent of the LOOK Act."

“Through this role, she will be able to build on the tremendous work she started with the Western Mass Bilingual Hub and scale it across the state" added Balter. "Dr. Irizarry Ramos will play a key role in advancing DESE’s new educational vision and ensuring a culturally and linguistically sustaining education for all students in MA.”

Irizarry Ramos's appointment marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse educational landscape in Massachusetts. By leveraging her expertise, DESE aims to ensure that every student, regardless of their linguistic background, has access to high-quality bilingual education and dual language programs that empower them to succeed academically and personally.

Learn more about the Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub.