Language Justice Working Group


The Language Justice Working Group began in the Spring of 2017 in order to assess and improve language inclusion in DJUSD by creating an environment where all families' languages are welcome.

The group is led by Climate Coordinator Kate Snow and Director of English Learner, Immersion, and World Language Programs, Ricardo Perez. Members include DJUSD staff, interpreters, teachers, and parents.

Since its inception the group:

  1. Has developed a draft plan for improving language inclusion in DJUSD by increasing the resources, standards and capacity for language interpretation and building community around language inclusion.
  2. Has hosted a 2-day training for 20 District staff in Foundations for Interpreting in Educational Settings.
  3. Has hosted a 3-day training in August 2018 on Interpreting for Social Justice for 20 District staff, led by Roberto Tijerina.
  4. Partnered with UC Davis researchers on an evaluation grant and paper entitled "REPORT: Interpreting as Language Justice: A School District/University Collaboration in 2018-2019."
  5. Offered continuing education opportunities for interpreters in the 2018-19 school year.


In 2019, the group re-organized as the Interpreter Network Steering Committee, which has:

  • Hosted a 5-day, 40-hour training in July 2019 for 30 interpreters of 8 different languages, taught by Ana Soler of SeSo, Inc.
  • Developed and supported the bargained agreement for a new job description, standards and pay rate for language interpreters.
  • Developed handouts and posters in English and Spanish of Best Practices for Working with Language Interpreters.
  • Planned and delivered bi-monthly Interpreter Network workshops for the continuing education and community building with District interpreters.
  • Worked continuously with administration to improve the language resources supporting students and families in DJUSD.

Draft Organizing Arc for Language Justice in DJUSD: A visual image of the goals for comprehensive language inclusion.

 language justice group