Meet Our TexLER 2025 Committee
The Texas Language Education Research (TexLER) Conference Committee is a student organization comprised
of undergraduate, Master's, and Ph.D. students of the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies
and TESOL in the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD).
of undergraduate, Master's, and Ph.D. students of the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies
and TESOL in the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD).
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Caryn CalisiPresident
Caryn Calisi is a doctoral fellow in the Culture, Literacy, and Language program at the University of Texas at San Antonio, in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies. She brings with her almost two decades of experience teaching ESL and English in the largest suburban, Title I district in New York State, and holds a Master of Science degree in Diagnostic Literacy. Alongside her doctoral studies, Caryn serves as a Graduate Research Assistant and instructional coach for Project SELFIES, a research–practice partnership with local school districts supporting linguistically and culturally responsive teacher development.
Her research interrogates how teachers are discursively socialized within policy-saturated educational environments, with particular attention to the regulation and resistance of critical pedagogy in classrooms serving raciolinguistically minoritized students. Her work explores how educators reconcile their professional agency with the constraints of surveilling legislation, and how they navigate these pressures while engaging in transformative, critically oriented pedagogical practices. |
CELESTE MARTINEZ
Vice President
Celeste Martinez is a third year doctoral student in Culture, Literacy, and Language program at UTSA. She taught for five years as a special education teacher and 7th grade general education RLA teacher. She is currently a Project DIVERSE scholar and is on Project ¡LEER! Her research interest is at the intersection between language, culture, and special education. Specifically, she is interested in language and academic development for emergent bilinguals with disabilities in inclusionary classrooms.
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AURELIA HERRERA
Treasurer
Aurelia Herrera is an experienced ESL Curriculum and Instructional Specialist and Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at San Antonio in Culture, Language, and Literacy, committed to supporting English learners and educators. With expertise in Dual Language education, she provides guidance on academic instruction, curriculum development, and innovative teaching strategies for ESL and Dual Language classrooms. Aurelia focuses on enhancing student engagement, fostering biliteracy, and effectively integrating digital tools. Passionate about equity and excellence in education, she leads professional development initiatives that empower educators to support diverse learners and uphold the pillars of Bilingual Education.
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DIANA ESTRADASecretary
Diana Estrada is a Dual Language educator and current doctoral student in the Culture, Language, and Literacy program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. With 13 years of experience teaching in bilingual classrooms and entering her third year in the doctoral program, Diana is committed to advancing equity and culturally sustaining practices for emergent bilinguals. Her work centers on empowering students through meaningful biliteracy instruction, authentic family-school partnerships, and language-affirming pedagogy. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, Diana advocates for inclusive educational spaces that honor students’ identities, languages, and communities. She is passionate about transforming dual language education to serve all learners and actively engages in research and professional learning that bridges theory and practice.
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FACULTY ADVISOR: KATHRYN HENDERSON, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor
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Kathryn I. Henderson is an assistant professor in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, College of Education and Human Development at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Her education interests include language ideologies, language policy and dual language bilingual education programs.
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