On a sunny day in October, between parent-teacher conferences, kindergarten teacher Rosa Floyd, Oregon’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, sits down for an interview in her classroom. Nellie Muir Elementary School in multilingual Woodburn School District is a dual language immersion school of about 414 students, both English and Spanish speaking. Her classroom is full of vibrant colors, little tables and chairs, the alphabet in pretty pictures, and books, posters, and first words in Spanish. For her 20 students, of which nine are English speakers and 11 Spanish-speaking only or bilingual, this is where it all begins. It feels very welcoming.
“The children teach each other,” she says. “They acquire the language very quickly at this young age. This is their first experience, so you open a lot of channels for the future. It is an honor to work with these students and families, and it is a big responsibility, transforming lives. When they learn a second language, they learn to see the world in a different way.”
School principal Oscar Belanger strides into the classroom with great energy. He has just arrived at school on his motorcycle. “Hola,” he says with a warm smile, posing for a photo, then giving her a big hug. “I’m very glad I nominated her,” he says. “We couldn’t be more proud. When we celebrate, we celebrate as a team, and also celebrate the individual’s excellence. Our success is because we are a family.” School secretary Leticia Acuna and custodian Juan Cardenas, who both attended Nellie Muir as students, and school psychologist Shannon Brooks, who has worked at the school for 10 years agree. “She is well-deserving of this award… She is amazing… I’m thrilled for her,” they say with enthusiasm.
Portland State University: What were your first thoughts after being named Oregon Teacher of the Year?
Rosa Floyd: “The superintendent called for all of us to come to an assembly at the high school. Only five people knew about what was going to happen. Even my husband Sherman, who is also a teacher, kept it a secret. I had no idea I would be getting the award. My first thought when I heard was, this award belongs to all of these teachers.”
PSU: How important is it for there to be more dual language teachers in Oregon?
Rosa Floyd: “A lot of my kids have never been to Mexico. They don’t have experience of their culture. I want them to be proud of their roots and know they can work to make society better. Education is freedom – freedom to choose what they want to do in life. They are part of the country, they are smart, bright, intelligent, and strong. I want people to appreciate them. They work hard. Having a second language is important, and having a Spanish-speaking teacher lets parents experience stability and trust during times of deep changes, supporting each other to serve the community.”
PSU: What should PSU and other Oregon colleges do to encourage more Spanish speaking students to pursue careers in education?
Rosa Floyd: “One big thing is we have to engage them in high school. Many are going to be first generation college students and there is a lack of information. The counselors don’t have enough time and resources for everybody. We need to create opportunities and involve parents. You see military recruiting in high school. Go and look for them before they leave. Once they are out, it’s too late. Many end up giving up and feel defeated before they start. They need information about programs. Let them know they are welcome.
How did you decide to become a teacher?
Rosa Floyd: “I went through everything my students are going through, coming to this country and adjusting to living in another culture and language. I met my husband at the University of Guadalajara when he was an exchange student. I was getting my master’s degree from the School of Architecture in interior design. We married and my family, still today living in Mexico, supported the idea of me coming with him. I first started working as an assistant in a summer program in Hillsboro while he was teaching at Glencoe High School. There were not many Spanish speaking teachers 31 years ago. When I worked with the little students, I decided to rethink what I will do in this country. I began teaching kindergarten at an international school, and then at Nellie Muir, on an emergency license.
PSU: What was your experience in the Bilingual Teacher Pathway program at Portland State’s College of Education?
Rosa Floyd: “You have three years to get your license when teaching on an emergency license, and the Bilingual Teacher Pathway program is designed for teachers who are working. I was working full-time, had my five-year-old son, and was expecting my daughter at the time. My husband’s mother is also a teacher, and she said, ‘We are here for you.’ This award is for the whole family.
“The flexibility of the Bilingual Teacher Pathway program, and having Spanish-speaking professors at PSU was a big connection. My professor Julie Esparza Brown was interested in every person, her doors were open all the time. From her, I learned to think one student at a time and not generalize. She makes you feel important. I learned to have an open mind and to see how each person contributes using their own abilities. They also encouraged continued growth through professional development.”
PSU: What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Rosa Floyd: “First, it is seeing my kids’ faces when they discover they can read or write or use the new language to communicate with others. Also, creating an environment for our kids is why the folkloric dance is one of my big projects. I have been teaching dance because it touches so many people. There are 75 kids that I volunteer to teach as a free after-school activity for students, as well as parents, teachers and administrators.”
Walking to the gym, she opens a closet full of flamenco dresses and hand-embroidered shirts of all sizes, for children and adults. She sews these costumes herself, ordering fabric and trimmings from Mexico, and says she and the parents have embroidered the blouses together. Each piece of ribbon and lace has a bit of history to it. This evening, after a day at the school, she will lead a rehearsal followed by a performance in Portland of her students from grades three through twelve.
Rosa Floyd: “The students walk here [to Nellie Muir Elementary] from the middle school and high school for the class every Friday. Education is like a dance that helped me to connect with my community. It involves adaptations, tradition, culture, community and partnership. Every human has the ability to learn, grow, develop and create.”
The Oregon Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Rosa Floyd on October 4 by Woodburn Superintendent Joe Morelock, Director of the Oregon Department of Education Colt Gill and Governor Kate Brown. As Oregon Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Floyd will be a representative and spokesperson for all Oregon teachers and will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to meet the President of the United States.
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by Sherron Lumley
College of Education 