In an innovative approach to education, Barksdale Elementary School in Clarksville has embarked on a mission to introduce Spanish to its students as early as kindergarten.
Through its Spanish Immersion Program, students are immersed in a bilingual environment, where traditional coursework is taught entirely in Spanish.
Since its inception in August 2018 with just two kindergarten classes, the program has seen remarkable growth.
Now, it offers all academic instruction in Spanish to English-speaking students.
Inside Mrs. Molina’s third-grade classroom, the atmosphere is vibrant with Spanish conversation. According to Molina, the program not only teaches language but also exposes students to diverse cultures, preparing them for their world.
“I was very surprised and very excited when I saw it. I immediately applied to become an educational assistant here at first and then eventually moved on to become a teacher,” Molina said, reflecting on her journey with the program.
For students like Anthony, a second-grader, the program offers a glimpse into a promising future. “It’s pretty good because it might help me in the future,” Anthony said.