It is a great joy to join the founding team of Escuela Bilingüe Internacional. I'll share with you a little about my life below, and look forward to getting to know all of you. I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and was fortunate to begin my educational career in Early Childhood at the Escuela Normal para Educadoras.  In 1966, I came to the U.S. and arrived in Hayward, California where my English immersion experience began. I graduated from High School, completed my A.A. in Nursery School Ed. from Chabot College and graduated from Hayward State University in 1973, obtaining my B.S. in Child Development. I completed all coursework towards the Masters in Bilingual Education from the National Hispanic University in 1986.

My interest in Early Childhood Education began early in my career. I have worked with children, students, parents and teachers since 1969. I began working with the Head Start Program in the Morhland Training and Demonstration Center as a teacher. I then worked from it’s inception at the Centro Infantil de la Raza Child Development Center. In Houston, I worked as a supervisor and director, training parents and teachers, and supervising the program "Parent Child Development Center" at the University of Houston.

Upon my return to the Bay area after the birth of my daughter in 1978, I worked as a consultant for several community programs, focusing in childhood education, evaluating programs and training parents and teachers. I began the ATC Preschool in Hayward as a director-teacher and later joined 4C's of So. Alameda County as the Coordinator and Resource Teacher, where I began the Spanish training model for Family Day Care Centers.

My family grew and my husband Erich and I were blessed with two other children. While they were very young I worked as a consultant for the Bilingual Program for the Oakland School District so that I could spend time with them.

In 1988 I joined the University of California at Berkeley, Early Childhood Program and later transferred to the Harold Jones Child Study Center, a research site, where I have been teaching ever since with an emphasis on developmental play-focused curriculum for preschool children. I initiated a culturally relevant curriculum which focused on respect and inclusion of the cultures represented in our classroom and community. I have worked in a team teaching approach, implemented and pilot tested research programs, and have implemented a rich learning program, emphasizing culture, mathematics, science, arts and much more.

My greatest interest is that children grow in an atmosphere rich in educational experiences where one lives and feels love, appreciation and respect for children.  My goal is that children be curious and explore in a safe environment that enhances their cognitive, social, linguistic, physical, cultural and artistic potential, through a diverse, global perspective that is inclusive and respectful as well as bringing peace to their lives. For me it is important that parents feel the safety and trust of leaving their children in our program to care and educate them, knowing that they will be safe and happy at EBI.

I believe in the essence of the unity between parents and teachers in forming an educational team in favor of children. I look forward to the future of EBI, the first Spanish immersion school in the Bay area, and to creating  a model bond between parents and teachers for an educational world unique in quality. I have faith in the future of EBI and what it will mean for all in our community. I hope to be united with you in this great effort!

Respectfully,

Berta A. Ortega-Plate