Two Languages, One Path: A Bilingual Bridge to Early Education

A new initiative between Oakland University and Pontiac High School is earning statewide recognition and setting a precedent for educational partnerships. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is the first of its kind to offer students the opportunity to earn up to 13 college credits toward OU’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program while still in high school. Unlike articulation agreements, which allow for credit transfers, this program directly awards college credits—a unique advantage for aspiring educators.

At the heart of the program is its bilingual approach, making higher education more accessible to Pontiac High School’s largely Hispanic, Spanish-speaking student population. Assistant Professor Katie Sloan, a former early childhood educator in Pontiac before earning her doctorate, plays a key role in ensuring the program’s inclusivity. Sloan co-teaches alongside Betsy Spiker, a CTE instructor and early childhood specialist, with Sloan translating Spiker’s English instruction into Spanish.

This innovative teaching model not only enables Spanish-speaking students to engage with the material in their native language, but also exposes all students to the importance of multilingualism in education. “It's been a privilege to co-teach with Betsy in the CTE program,” says Sloan. “Students are learning and evidencing their learning in the languages they prefer, and they are building relationships with the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) faculty, which I believe is also having an impact.”

Students have the flexibility to take quizzes in either language, with Sloan grading Spanish responses and Spiker grading English ones. Materials are developed in English by Spiker and translated into Spanish by Sloan, ensuring each student can learn in the language that best supports their needs. This approach not only retains students who might otherwise feel excluded, but it also helps them develop an appreciation for diversity, an essential quality for future educators.

Beyond offering college credits, the CTE program introduces students to university life and possible career pathways in early childhood education. By working closely with both a two-year college and a four-year university, students gain a clear understanding of the different educational routes available to them.

Additionally, the program aims to partner with Oakland County Michigan Works! to offer eligible students paid work-based learning opportunities, including registered apprenticeships supported by state grants. Michigan Works! also provides critical resources such as transportation assistance and supplies, breaking down barriers to employment and education.

The impact of this program has not gone unnoticed. The Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education recently honored the CTE program with the 2024 Excellence in Practice Award for outstanding business and community partnerships. In attendance to accept the award were Kimberly Leverette, Ed.D., Interim Superintendent; Anisha Hannah, Ed.D., Board of Education President; and CTE Supervisor Bryan Schuerman.

“We are excited to be honored with the 2024 Excellence in Practice Award,” says Dr. Leverette. “We remain dedicated and committed to our students' access and engagement in postsecondary education and careers.”

Schuerman emphasizes the program’s critical role in addressing the shortage of early childhood educators in Oakland County. “I am very proud of our partnership with Oakland University's Early Childhood Education Program. This program will set the bar across the county and the state for concurrent enrollment programs, setting up our students for success no matter what they do.”

Experts in the field have praised the program’s approach. “Governor Whitmer’s PreK for All initiative has brought attention to the crucial early years and the need for more qualified early childhood teachers,” says Tomoko Wakabayashi, Ed.D., Oakland University’s early childhood CTE program coordinator. “This program gives students a head start into the profession and builds transparent pathways to postsecondary education and early childhood teaching licensure.”

State-level consultant Candace Vincent echoes the sentiment, praising the initiative’s potential to serve as a model for other districts. “The Excellence in Practice review team immediately recognized the unique nature of the partnership — not only in its university collaboration but especially in its commitment to providing career pathways for students in an underserved community with a high demand for early childhood educators.”

For Spiker, the program’s success is personal. “It was a slow process to build trust with the students. We were navigating something new. But I applied all the principles I have used in early childhood classrooms — building a trusting relationship with each student. Now, students will stay in my class rather than going to lunch. Some even come back to check in with me and update me on their lives.”

As the CTE program continues to evolve, its leaders hope to inspire similar partnerships throughout the state. By creating clear educational pathways, promoting bilingual education and prioritizing inclusivity, Oakland University and Pontiac High School are setting a new standard for early childhood education training.

“This partnership is remarkable in a variety of ways,” says Sloan. “As the program evolves and is refined, other similar partnerships could be modeled after this one.”

With the Excellence in Practice Award as a testament to its impact, the CTE program is not only shaping the future of education in Pontiac but also paving the way for future educators across Michigan.