In this episode of Beyond Translation, host Ruben Arias sits down with Kirk Stinson, Principal at Jim Maples Academy in the Burton School District. Kirk shares a transparent and practical look at what it takes to build a dual language program from scratch—and why it requires far more than simply adding Spanish into an existing system. Kirk walks through the structure of their 50/50 dual language model, where students receive instruction equally in English and Spanish each day. He explains how the program has grown year by year, starting with a single cohort and expanding as students progress, all while maintaining a focus on developing bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learners. The conversation dives into the deeper instructional shift required for success. Kirk emphasizes that dual language education is not about translation—it is about redesigning how students learn content across two languages. Through strategies like language bridging, scaffolding, and intentional rotation of instructional language, students build true competency rather than surface-level understanding. Kirk also shares key challenges, including access to authentic Spanish materials, balancing progress across two languages, and ensuring alignment across staff, systems, and district expectations. He highlights the importance of building a strong, collaborative teaching culture and maintaining a shared vision across the entire school community. Key Moments01:13 “Inside a 50/50 Dual Language Model” 03:23 “Meeting Students at Different Language Levels” 05:04 “The Gap in Authentic Spanish Materials” 07:16 “From Bilingual to True Biliteracy” 09:24 “Helping Families Understand the Value of Spanish” 11:06 “Tracking Growth Across Two Languages” 13:39 “Long-Term Vision for Biliteracy and Identity” 16:02 “Why Dual Language Requires System Redesign” 18:03 “Building a Collaborative Teaching Culture” 26:05 “Advice for Schools Launching Dual Programs” Why You’ll Love This EpisodeThis episode gives a real-world, unfiltered look at what it takes to launch and sustain a dual language program. Kirk shares both the vision and the operational realities—from scheduling and staffing to curriculum gaps and family communication—making it especially valuable for school leaders navigating similar challenges. You’ll also gain a clearer understanding of biliteracy as a long-term investment. Rather than focusing on short-term benchmarks, this conversation highlights how building proficiency across two languages requires patience, alignment, and a strong belief in the end goal: students who can think, learn, and express themselves confidently in multiple languages. Connect with Kirk StinsonPrincipal, Jim Maples Academy (Burton School District)Website: https://jimmaples.org/ Connect with UsRuben AriasCEO & Founder, BeeversoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rariasa Website: https://www.beeverso.org/ About Beyond TranslationBeyond Translation explores how school leaders are navigating the real challenges of serving multilingual learners in bilingual and dual language programs. Through candid conversations with principals, assistant principals, and instructional leaders, the podcast highlights what is working, what is not, and what meaningful, culturally responsive education truly looks like for Spanish-speaking students. Subscribe & ListenIf you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond Translation for more conversations with educators working to ensure students can succeed academically without losing their language, identity, or voice.
