In this episode of Beyond Translation, host Ruben Arias sits down with Rebecca Heneise, a bilingual education leader at New Los Angeles Charter School. Rebecca shares a powerful perspective shaped by her upbringing across Nicaragua, Chile, and the United States, where language, identity, and culture were deeply intertwined from an early age.Rebecca reflects on her journey into education and how her lived experience as a bilingual learner shaped her belief that bilingual education should not be exclusive--but accessible to all students. She challenges the idea of bilingual programs as a pathway to English, instead reframing them as a pathway to multiculturalism, equity, and expanded worldviews. The conversation explores what it truly takes to build effective dual language programs--from preparing teachers with the right sociocultural competencies to ensuring they have the academic language skills needed to teach content, not just language. Rebecca also highlights systemic challenges, including the lingering impact of English-first policies, lack of teacher preparation pipelines, and the tension between bilingual instruction and monolingual accountability systems. She also shares how her school integrates identity work, social justice, and cultural celebration into daily learning--moving beyond isolated heritage months to build a year-round culture where every student's background is valued. Through real examples, including student-led advocacy and community conversations, Rebecca illustrates what it looks like when schools truly center belonging and voice. Key Moments 03:00 'Why Bilingual Education Should Be Inclusive'07:30 'The Impact of English-First Policies on Schools'11:40 'What Bilingual Teachers Actually Need'16:00 'Balancing Spanish Instruction with English Accountability'21:00 'Why Families Must Be Part of Language Development'25:30 'Screen Time vs Real Language Practice'30:00 'Bilingual Education as Social Justice'36:00 'Centering Identity and Student Voice in Schools'42:00 'The Power of Bilingualism for Future Generations' Why You'll Love This Episode If you're leading or building bilingual programs, this episode offers a thoughtful, systems-level perspective on what makes them successful--and what continues to hold them back. Rebecca breaks down the real gaps in teacher preparation, curriculum design, and policy alignment, while offering a clear vision for how schools can move forward. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of bilingual education as more than instruction--it's identity work, community building, and social justice. This episode will challenge how you think about language learning and inspire you to create environments where students don't just learn another language, but learn to value who they are. Connect with Rebecca Heneise Bilingual Education Leader, New Los Angeles Charter SchoolLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-heneise-ed-d-087959249Website: https://www.newlosangeles.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.
