BETAC celebrates bilingual educators

BETAC celebrates bilingual educators
Photo by Tequila Minsky

Members of the education community celebrated the accomplishments of all bilingual educators and the staff of the Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Centers (BETACs) during a ceremony at Auntun’s,Queens on June 11.

The evening honored Bronx Assemblywoman Carmen Perez Hogan for her efforts leading and sustaining the work of BETACs on behalf of limited English proficient students.

Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph was specially acknowledged for her dedication in helping to establish the first HABETAC (Haitian Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center) at City College, New York and also her contributions in education for all.

She also received a special award for her sustained support since the early beginnings of the Haitian village school named Three Little Flowers in Fort Royal, Haiti. Where previously there had been no school, this school offers access to education in an agricultural village that skirts the sea is in the west in Haiti. The school started in 1987; the classrooms opened in 1996.

Dr. Joseph was the first Haitian to become president of a college — Massachusetts Bay Community College. The evening is a home coming for her; she is the new president of Bronx Community College.

At the 14 centers in New York State, resources and training have been provided for Limited English Proficient (LEP) students and English Language Learners (ELLS). The centers provided for staff development and technical assistance for educators, parents and students in New York State.

There were five BETAC centers in New York City (including Asian, Haitian, and Spanish).

The current state contract for these centers is ending in June and the BETAC system is being reorganized.