My Story
Becoming bilingual/biliterate has been both a part of my professional and personal life
Dr. Olga Grimalt, Founder of Multilingual Learning Network
My Professional Story
I became a bilingual teacher in 1990. That first day, when my students arrived by bus from downtown Los Angeles, an almost hour ride to our school in the west San Fernando Valley, they sat at their desks in anticipation, with wide smiles, excited to be in 3rd grade. I was an emergency credentialed bilingual teacher, fluent in Spanish and English, eager to be their teacher. On the first day, I fell in love with their laughter, their curiosity, their eyes of anticipation, their thoughtfulness, and their eagerness to learn.
Since then, I have taught hundreds of students, ages 5 to 55, from Kindergarten through 4th grade and teacher education classes at the university level. I served as Director of Bilingual programs at the university and most recently as Multilingual Services Coordinator at the district level. Through the years, what has remained constant is my dedication to the students who participate in dual language education.
My work now, as a dual language specialist, is to support dual language programs in implementing the highest quality program for all students.
“I believe Dual Language programs are called to provide equitable spaces for students to become bilingual and biliterate.”
— Dr. Olga Grimalt, Founder of Multilingual Learning Network
My Personal Story
I grew up in a Spanish speaking household. I entered Kindergarten as an English learner. Growing up, I spoke Spanish at home and English at school. During summer vacation, we visited my father’s family in Mallorca, Spain. My family there spoke Mallorquín, which exposed me to a third language. Later while in college, I spent a semester in Paris, France where my knowledge of Mallorquín helped me acquire French.
My mother, being from Puerto Rico, created a home environment that celebrated the language and culture from both Puerto Rico and Mallorca. I learned to say “carro” for car with my mom and her family and “coche” for car when in Mallorca with my father’s family. I believe that my childhood experiences have influenced me as a teacher. I have a deep appreciation for the development of language and culture through dual language programs. Later, when my daughters were born, participating in a dual language program was non-negotiable.
My two daughters attended the dual immersion program K-12 in our local district allowing our family to preserve the languages and culture that bring us together.
More About Dr. Grimalt
Dr. Olga Grimalt has been a bilingual educator for over 25 years.
Dr. Grimalt served as the Coordinator of Multilingual Services at Long Beach Unified School District. Before returning to her local district, Dr. Grimalt was Director of Bilingual Education and professor at Loyola Marymount University (LMU).
In addition to teaching courses related to bilingualism and second language acquisition, Dr. Grimalt was the administrator of the Spanish and Mandarin bilingual teacher preparation programs.
Prior to joining LMU, Dr. Grimalt was an elementary bilingual teacher in both transitional and dual immersion bilingual programs in Los Angeles Unified School District and Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD).
She was a founding member and Vice President of the Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Educators (ATDLE) and is currently an advisory board member.
She is a member of the California Association for Bilingual Education and the National Association for Bilingual Education.
