Come see Julio Barrenzuela, the “Salsa Ambassador,” and learn how to dance the Salsa on April 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.

Barrenzuela has been teaching Salsa for over 10 years in any place that he can, including nursing homes, facilities for those with disabilities and youth organizations. He says, “Music brings people together, and that’s what I want to do through my efforts. The hope is to make a difference by giving the community’s most unlikely people, be it from their wheelchair or jail cell, the opportunity to see themselves as salsa dancers and therefore members of a much larger ‘salsa community.’”

He is a veteran of the Navy and has a doctorate in cultural studies from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. He is currently president of CIELO, a culturally integrated organization dedicated to promoting the education, employment and culture of Latino Americans in communities that are within about a 60-mile radius of Springfield.

Come see Julio Barrenzuela, the “Salsa Ambassador,” and learn how to dance the Salsa on April 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.

Barrenzuela has been teaching Salsa for over 10 years in any place that he can, including nursing homes, facilities for those with disabilities and youth organizations. He says, “Music brings people together, and that’s what I want to do through my efforts. The hope is to make a difference by giving the community’s most unlikely people, be it from their wheelchair or jail cell, the opportunity to see themselves as salsa dancers and therefore members of a much larger ‘salsa community.’”

He is a veteran of the Navy and has a doctorate in cultural studies from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. He is currently president of CIELO, a culturally integrated organization dedicated to promoting the education, employment and culture of Latino Americans in communities that are within about a 60-mile radius of Springfield.

On Feb. 9, Andrea Echelberger, English learner specialist, provided a livestream presentation and discussion on “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” A link to the recording of this presentation is now available (must be logged into Office 365 to view).

Recording of “Your Brain on Accents”

As part of the Inclusivity Speaker Series, Andrea Echelberger, long time teacher of English language learners, will give a livestream presentation and discussion of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” describing research that shows how accent bias really does exist! If you are unable to attend this event in person, please join us via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85900003277.

Join us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons! Andrea Echelberger, English learner specialist, will provide a livestream presentation and discussion of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” describing research that shows how accent bias really does exist! If you are unable to attend this event in person, a Zoom link will be available in tomorrow’s LincIn.

Please join the campus community in welcoming Andrea Echelberger, English Language teacher, speaking on accent bias! Echelberger is continuously humbled and inspired by the lessons and stories that she hears from her learners every day and is passionate about helping the people that she works with develop their voices in English so that they and their families can thrive in the United States. This presentation will be livestreamed and available to view in A. Lincoln Commons on Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m.

Make plans to come hear Andrea Echelberger in the livestream of “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.” on Feb. 9 at 2:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons!

In 2004, Echelberger began a two-year AmeriCorps position in St. Paul teaching adult refugees and immigrants English, and she’s never looked back. Throughout her teaching career, she has worked with a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and language levels, and while she’s loved every class that she’s taught, literacy level learners are her favorite group to teach. From her experience and research, Andrea will share on how accent bias impacts our society.

Save the date! Please join us to view a livestream of the second part of the Inclusivity Speaker Series on Feb. 9, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons with Andrea Echelberger, English language specialist. Andrea will be presenting “Your Brain on Accents: The Impact of Accent Bias and Discrimination in the U.S.”

Echelberger has been working as a classroom teacher of English language learners, a teacher trainer and curriculum designer since 2003. She spent two years in Cambodia with the EL Fellowship program and has served on several State Department projects. Andrea is currently serving as president on the international board of LESLLA, an organization that focuses on adult emergent readers.

For those unable to attend the first Inclusivity Speaker Series event, you may view the recorded portion here:

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