"I have become increasingly interested in programs which involve the education of the whole family," says Linda Filomeno, who teaches third and fourth graders in the bilingual program at William D'Abate Memorial Elementary School in Providence. Mrs. Filomeno is particularly concerned with helping families who have limited educational opportunities and families whose first language is not English. To this end, she has developed programs such as the "parent education center," and "child opportunity zones." She has also worked extensively on the development of LIFT (Language Instruction For Transition), a program that incorporates some of the bilingual approaches used in ESL (English as a Second Language) programs, in order to respond to the individual need of each student. "Advocacy for high quality education in all communities" is Mrs. Filomeno's priority as an educator.
In today's atmosphere of high stakes testing and standards, many children are at risk of receiving a less than adequate education. The need to adjust teaching methods and materials to meet the specific needs of all children who do not come to school with the preparation to perform and achieve at standard levels - those whose home language is other than English, those with developmental issues, those from poverty - is becoming lost in the rhetoric. If we are to truly help all students meet rigorous proficiency expectations, then we must recognize the individual needs of each child and teach to those needs. Those of us who have been honored by our colleagues have the responsiblity to raise these issues bravely.
1976 Eastern College, B.A.
Temple University, M. Ed. (1981)
Rhode Island College, M. Ed. (1991)
