Hemispheric Institute on the Americas

Prof. Margarita Jimenez-Silva’s research focuses on preparing and supporting teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse learners, especially in addressing emergent bilinguals’ linguistic and academic content development. More specifically, her research strands include teacher education pedagogy and curriculum, educational policy, and family/community engagement. Her research has been published by journals such as Harvard Educational Review, Childhood Education, and the Journal of Research on Childhood Education. 

Prof. Jimenez-Silva has traveled to and coordinated curriculum and programs addressing the needs of emergent bilinguals in the U.S., as well as in Mexico, Panama, and Hungary. Prior to entering higher education, Prof. Jimenez-Silva worked with newcomer students as a middle-school math and science teacher in Oakland, California. She began her work with pre-service teachers at Concordia University in Irvine, CA. She herself is a former English learner from the San Fernando Valley in Southern California.