Ruth Barnett Barajas

Growing up in San Diego County, Ruth had opportunities to become bilingual, applying the Spanish she learned in school by participating in a high school summer program sponsored by Rotary International, in Leon, Gto. (Mexico) and spending a year in Mexico City in college living with a host family and attending La Universidad Iberoamericana. She has been a strong advocate for multilingual programs for English learners and native English speakers alike ever since. With over 30 years in the field of EL education, Ruth has provided instruction and leadership at school and district levels as a Bilingual Teacher, EL Programs Specialist, and School Principal. As Project Director for the English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative and the Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students project, Ruth works with senior EL Leaders and advocates from throughout California to continue to build and sustain the movement for educational equity for English Learners.