Gadsden superintendent to teach education course at San Luis Learning Center
July 11, 2024San Luis, AZ (July 11, 2024) – In addition to her leadership role as Superintendent of the Gadsden Elementary School District, Lizette Esparza is taking her commitment to the San Luis community one step further by becoming a mentor for new teachers.
This fall, Esparza will begin teaching the Cultural Diversity in Education (EDU 210 005) course at the Arizona Western College San Luis Learning Center. This second-year class examines the relationship of cultural values to the formation of a child's self-concept and learning styles. Also incorporated in the course is an examination of the roles of prejudice, stereotyping, and cultural incompatibilities in education.
“We want to work together to fill the gap in demand for education,” said Susanna Zambrano, AWC Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services. “It’s wonderful to have high-caliber professionals, like Ms. Esparza, step up and invest in our community. This is leadership by example. I’m excited to see our partnership with the Gadsden Elementary School District continue to grow.”
Esparza began working in the Gadsden Elementary School District in 2001 as a fourth-grade teacher before becoming the district preschool director. Later, she was hired as the principal for Gadsden Elementary School, Arizona Desert Elementary School, and San Luis Middle School before taking on the role of district superintendent in 2021.
She hopes to contribute to the San Luis community by sharing her over 20 years of educational experiences with students and helping instill in them the value of making the world a better place through the art of teaching.
“I want to bridge the gap between community and mentorship, support our students with decisions about their career paths, and offer guidance. As a teacher, I will be part of molding young minds and will be able to teach values to develop well-rounded citizens equipped to navigate any type of challenge,” said Esparza.
In teaching the Cultural Diversity in Education course, she aims to prepare future educators to use critical thinking to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds.
“I would like to create multicultural awareness to help students understand and accept different backgrounds and needs. A Cultural Diversity class also encourages acceptance and will help prepare students to thrive in a diverse world,” said Esparza.
The Cultural Diversity in Education course will be offered to students from August 12 – December 6 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:45pm at the AWC San Luis Learning Center, 1340 N. 8th Avenue.
Contact:
Susanna Zambrano
Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services
Arizona Western College
Susanna.Zambrano@azwestern.edu
928-314-9426