2018 Honor Leads to Lasting Community Connections
Bilingual education has the power to transform learning, particularly for linguistically diverse students, and Rutgers University–Camden is helping lead the way in South Jersey. At St. Anthony of Padua School, a unique program was created to address the need for students to strengthen both their native and second languages. This initiative, led by Silvia Perez-Cortes, a faculty member in the Teaching Spanish MAT program, earned her recognition as one of the recipients of the 2018 Chancellor’s Award for Civic Engagement. This annual honor celebrates faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners whose work advances the communities of South Jersey and beyond.
Drawing on her expertise in bilingual language acquisition, Perez-Cortes worked closely with Rutgers University–Camden’s Office of Civic Engagement and local educators to build one of South Jersey’s first bilingual education programs. The program ensures students receive structured instruction in both languages, helping them thrive academically while maintaining cultural and linguistic connections. Her collaborative efforts have had a meaningful impact on the school and its surrounding community, setting a new standard for inclusive education in the region.
As one of several honorees in 2018, Perez-Cortes stands out for her commitment to addressing the educational needs of the Camden community. While the Chancellor’s Award acknowledges the collective impact of all recipients, her work exemplifies the power of combining academic expertise with civic engagement to create lasting change. Her efforts strengthen not only the students she serves but also Rutgers–Camden’s role as a cornerstone of community development in South Jersey.
Related to this Story:
Teaching Spanish MAT: Preparing Educators for Tomorrow’s Spanish Classrooms
The Rutgers–Camden Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Spanish program equips students for careers in K–12 education and community colleges, offering practical training for teaching Spanish in bilingual settings. The program accommodates both fluent Spanish speakers from diverse backgrounds and Anglophone students seeking to enhance their Spanish fluency. Graduates gain advanced language skills, intensive pedagogical training, and cultural sensitivity, preparing them to meet the needs of their academic and cultural communities. This comprehensive approach, combined with immersive Spanish-language instruction, distinguishes the program from others in the region, preparing graduates to excel as Spanish-language educators in diverse educational environments.
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