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Esther Garza

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Esther Garza

Associate Professor of Education
Dan Waggoner Hall
817-531-4945
evgarza@txwes.edu
Website

Education

  • Ph.D. Culture, Literacy and Language The University of Texas at San Antonio
  • M.A. Bilingual-Bicultural Studies The University of Texas at San Antonio
  • B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies with a Minor in Spanish Texas A&M University College Station

Scholastic Profile

Dr. Esther Garza is an Associate Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education.  She was an elementary school bilingual educator for approximately 10 years and has taught in higher education for the last 15 years.  In her current role, she has served in the preparation of future educators in the field of bilingual and ESL education.  She has authored, co-authored, and presented in international, national, state and local publication journals and conferences. She has also served in multiple roles in higher education such as former Public Relations Chair for a state organization (TABE), Bilingual Program Coordinator, University Supervisor, University Committee member and BESO advisor.  

Courses taught at Texas Wesleyan:

  • EDU 3310 Multicultural Education
  • EDU 4340 Environmental Processes
  • RDG 4323 English as a Second Language
Presentations
  1. Garza, E.  & Wu, H.  (2016).  English Literacy Development Through a Tutoring Approach.  Literacy Summit. University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Tx, February 2016.
  2. Garza, E., & Vasquez, L., (2016). Biliteracy Is the Key: Reinventing the Possibilities and Opportunities in Science Related Fields. Rio Grande Valley Texas Association for Bilingual Education-22nd Annual Bilingual Education Conference.  January 2016. 
  3. Garza, E. & Anderson, M.  (2015). Translanguaging in the science classroom.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  El Paso, Tx.  October 2015.
  4. Hernández, A. & Garza, E. (2015).  Using meta-cognitive strategies to pass the BTLPT:  Organize, manage, and monitor your progress successfully.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  El Paso, Tx.  October 2015.
  5. Wu, H.  & Garza, E.  (2015).  Native and non-native bilingual/ESL pre-service teacher identity development.  Tex FLEC-The University of Texas at San Antonio.  San Antonio, Tx.  February 2015.
  6. Wu, H. & Garza, E.  (2014).  Empowering non-native English language teachers in ESL/EFL contexts.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  San Antonio, Tx.  October 2014.
  7. Wu, H. & Garza, E.  (2014).  Empowering non-native English language teachers in ESL/EFL contexts.  San Antonio Area Association for Bilingual Education.  San Antonio, Tx.  May 2014.
  8. Morales, J, Garcia, S. & Garza, E.  (2014)  Parental Involvement Factors That Impact School Readiness Among Pre-School Age Children of Farm Workers.   The MAFO National Farmworker Conference. McAllen, Texas.  March 2014
  9. Wu, H. & Garza, E.  (2013).  Error Analysis on 6th grade Second Language Learners’ Writing.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  Houston, Texas. October 2013.
  10. Garza, E., Dorel, T. & Gonzales, P. (2013).  Models for Success in Teacher Preparation: Comparative Study on Teacher Efficacy via Two Pathways – “Traditional Flex” and
  11. “Cohort Model” of Field Residency.  San Antonio, Texas.  October 2013. Garza, E. & Hernandez, A.  (2013).  Establishing Effective Biliteracy Practices in the EL Classroom.  Academy for Teacher Excellence Summer Bridging Institute.  San Antonio, Texas. July 2013.
  12. Garza, E.  & Garza, R.  (2013).  Si Se Puede!  Inspiring Young Latinos to Enroll in Higher Education.  The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). Austin, Texas.  May 2013.   
  13. Flores, B., Claeys, L. & Garza, E.  (2013).  Creating a Bilingual eCommunity of Practice Session. National Association for Bilingual Education.  Orlando, Florida.  February 2013. 
  14. Garza, E.  (2013).  Exploring New Learning and Pathways through Dual Language Education. The 29th Teach Tomorrow Summit for the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE). 
  15. San Antonio, Texas.  February 2013. Garza, E & Piña, M.  (2012).   BESO Institute Conference Presenter/Facilitator.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  San Antonio, Texas.  October 2012.
  16. Garza, E.  (2012).  STEMsation V:  Creating a Bilingual eCommunity of Practice Session.  Texas Association for Bilingual Education.  San Antonio, Texas.  October 2012. 
  17. Garza, E.  (2012).  Building Academic Discourse in Spanish in the Content Area of Science.  STELLAR Institute.  San Marcos, Texas.  July 2012. 
  18. Garza, E.  (2012). Building Academic Language in the Science Classroom:  Encouraging Discourse through the Alignment of Content Standards and the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) in the 5E Model.  National Association for Bilingual Education.  McAllen, Texas.  February 2012. 
  19. Guzman, N. & Garza, E.  (2012).  Exploring Bilingual Education Experiences through FamilyHistories.  National Association for Bilingual Education.  Dallas, Texas.  February 2012.
Publications
  1. 2015 Article: "An Investigation into Instructor Implementation of Alternative Course Offerings in Education Departments in One Private Liberal Arts University," Twyla Miranda, Ph.D., William Newton, Ed.D., Julie Vowell, Ph.D., Carlos Martinez, Ph.D. Journal of Learning in Higher Education.  To be published online January 31, 2015. Print publication on March 1, 2015
  2. 2014 Article: Instruction Through the Lens of Socio-Economic Status: Reflections for Teacher-Educators."   T. Miranda, C. Martinez, L. Dryden, W. Newton, J. Dryden, and S. Myers.  Journal of Academic Perspectives. http://www.journalofacademicperspectives.com/back-issues/vol-2013/no-3/
  3. 2011 Editorial: Challenges of Leadership in Schools. Wesleyan Graduate Review. Vol. VIII, No. 1. 2011
Research Interests

My research interests include exploring and addressing the scientific needs of bilingual children.  In addition, the exploration of strategies for pre-service and in-service bilingual education teachers in strengthening their Spanish literacy skills. Finally, other research interests include exploring bilingual educators' cultural proficiency, in the area of reading the exploration of Latino and African American Phonology and in health education the development of a Bilingual Health Professional.