Gabriela Gomez Receives 2016 California Associate for Bilingual Education Award

Gabriela Gómez has received the Carlos Pinochet Award from the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE).

Gabriela is pursuing her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in the UCI School of Education. Currently, she is completing her student teaching assignment in a first grade Spanish dual immersion class.

Gabriela comes from a family of Mexican immigrants. In her home, Spanish is the only language spoken. "I was taught from a very young age that my native language is very important and that I had to hold on to it like a precious gift."
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However, when Gabriela started school, her native language was not acknowledged and she was expected to speak only English. She credits her parents for stressing the importance of Spanish to her being able to keep her Spanish.

Gabriela wants to be a bilingual teacher to preserve and celebrate the language diversity that others bring to this country. "I believe that being bilingual is a very important skill and one that everyone will need in the future. I want to be part of the bridge that helps future adults communicate and connect with each other through the gift of language."

Gabriela thanks her parents for the gift of the Spanish language and that she will be able to pass on that gift of language to others.

Gabriela Gomez is the fifth UCI multiple subject candidate to receive a CABE award. Past recipients include Wendy (Ramos) Gonzalez (’11), Melissa Madrigal (’12), Megan Gibbs (’14), and Marco Castillo (’14).