by Elizabeth Rodarte
Staff Writer
In a hidden corner on the second floor of Mainiero Building sits Dr. Anita Flemington, the new associate professor of education.
“I was hired here to help implement the Cross Cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) program that was already written and to write the new Bilingual Cross Cultural Language (BCLAD) program,” said Dr. Flemington.
The CLAD program, which began this month, helps teachers get a certificate working with language minority children. The program is in place for students, and potential teachers who are already attending the University of La Verne. To take this program, students only need one extra class and they will then receive their CLAD.
“The major focus of the CLAD program is to provide aspiring teachers with the skills to work with students who are less than fluent in English,” said Dr. Tom McGuire, professor of education.
BCLAD is for those people who want to work specifically with bilingual classes.
“I am writing the BCLAD program, which is the spanish language component,” said Dr. Flemington.
This program is especially designed for those pursuing a teaching career as a bilingual teacher in Spanish. A language proficiency test is required along with a methodology course that teaches the instructor how to teach Spanish reading about the culture of the Latino.
“The way the process works is the institution prepares a document, which Anita is primarily responsible for. Then it is submitted to the committee of teacher credentialing for the state of California to receive approval,” said McGuire.
If the program is approved it will began in September of 1998.
“I am expecting that our BCLAD program will be approved,” said Dr. Flemington.
Dr. Flemington is also expecting that there will be students interested in the Spanish emphasis and that ULV will continue to be a school that looks for diversity.
“Like any program you need to get started, you need to get a direction so it took me time,” said Dr. Flemington.
“There are other kinds of BCLAD programs, [for example,] Armenian,” said Dr. McGuire.
Years ago, the Education Department had proposed having an Armenian BCLAD when the American Armenian International College (AAIC) was still affiliated with ULV, but the program failed to develop before AAIC closed its doors.
Dr. Flemington admits that the initial challenge was overwhelming. She is using the previous program as a guide to writing her own program.
“I am also teaching a culture class, which I wrote this summer. I am really excited about it,” said Dr. Flemington.
Besides writing the BCLAD program and teaching a culture class, Dr. Flemington is also assisting teachers who graduated or finished their credentials before fall of 1996, helping them come back and take a 12 unit program so they can also get the CLAD without having to take the state test. Non-ULV graduates can also take this program.
“I am just really excited. I think the state is going to like our program,” said Dr. Flemington.
Dr. Flemington predicts that the program is going to make ULV better known.
“The purpose of BCLAD is to increase enrollment and to meet the districts need to have better trained teachers working in bilingual classrooms since there is not enough,” said McGuire.
Dr. Flemington has also brought ideas to the attention of the Education Department as well.
“She has mentioned establishing collaborative relationships with as many districts in the area,” said McGuire.
Dr. Flemington would like to work on getting teachers from local districts into the program and getting ULV faculty and supervisors out into those districts to work with those teachers.
“My experience, I think in the area of bilingual education is why I was hired,” said Dr. Flemington.
Since 1976, Dr. Flemington has been a bilingual teacher.
She formerly worked with the Bilingual Cross Cultural (BCC) program, which was the old title for the BCLAD. Dr. Flemington has also been involved with staff development and teacher training for the last 10 years in this same area.
“She was the best combination of academic background and especially professional experience that included extensive involvement with CLAD and BCLAD programs,” said Dr. McGuire.
Dr. Flemington was hired out of 20 applicants that applied.
“Everybody has been so very nice to me, very accommodating, very friendly,” said Dr. Flemington.
Dr. Flemington enjoys the community of La Verne. Prior to this job, she was assistant principal at Roynon Elementary School, which is located a few blocks away from ULV. She said that the only thing she has found difficult adjusting to is the time schedule of a private university in comparison to that of a public school.
“Instead of working from 7 o’clock in the morning to 4 p.m, sometimes I teach until 10 p.m., so it is also kind of a body shift,” said Dr. Flemington.
Dr. Flemington received both her bachelor of arts degree in music and her master’s degree in educational administration from California State University at Los Angeles, and her doctorate in institutional management at Pepperdine University.
She is married and has one daughter who is 25 and is attending Cal State L.A.
Her hobbies include reading, gardening, hiking, collecting, buying and selling antiques.
Elizabeth Rodarte
