Educators for a Multilingual Multicultural America-EMMA™DLeNM 2023

EMMA is a “consortium” of members committed to the strengthening and expansion of quality dual language educator preparation for pre-service and in-service teachers. It serves as a Specialized Professional Association-SPA for the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and operates under the auspices of Dual Language Education of New Mexico (DLeNM) which serves as its fiscal sponsor.

Transforming Educators to Pursue Linguistic Freedom

EMMA
Director

Dr. Joan Lachance

UNC Charlotte

Associate Professor

Joan Lachance, PhD, is an associate professor and director of the Teaching English as a Second Language Master of Arts, Graduate Certificate and Undergraduate Minor programs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

EMMA
Executive Team Member

David Rogers

Language Educator and Advocate

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David Rogers supports the work of Dual Language Education of New Mexico-DLeNM whose mission is to promote the effective design and implementation of dual language education (www.dlenm.org) in New Mexico, and beyond.

EMMA
Executive Team Member

Michael Rodríguez

DLeNM Executive Director

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Michael Rodríguez is the Executive Director of Dual Language Education of NM (DLeNM). For six years, he served as the organization's director of operations, heading up and expanding its Dual Language Program Design offerings while supporting schools, districts, and state agencies across the country to create quality, sustainable dual language programs. During his fifteen years as a school administrator, he helped to establish and operate three different dual language programs in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas. In his current role, Michael leads an experienced team of dual language educator-trainers who provide professional development in support of quality instruction for language learners and effective dual language program design. DLeNM is also host to the country’s largest dual language conference annually, in New Mexico.

EMMA
Executive Team Member

Yvonne Oronoz-Williams

Vice President of Educator Engagement, WCEPS

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Yvonne Williams, a seasoned educator and presenter, serves as the Vice President of Educator Engagement at WCEPS, where she spearheads initiatives to empower educators and foster collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Her work is deeply rooted in understanding and aligning with the goals of schools and districts, ensuring impactful outcomes for all learners with an emphasis on multilingual learners.
Yvonne also leads a team of 35 highly skilled coaches who support schools across the country in implementing WCEPS programs, providing tailored guidance and fostering lasting growth. Yvonne’s personal and professional journey is a testament to resilience and passion. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, she moved to the United States at age 5, her experiences as an English language learner shaped her commitment to a positive impact in the field of education. With over 30 years in the field, Yvonne has worked with diverse student populations across all grade levels, PK to high school, advocating for the success of learners and their families.
Prior to her current role, Yvonne spent three transformative years at WIDA as a Professional Learning Specialist, contributing to educator development on a global scale. She is also the architect of a nationally recognized coaching program at WCEPS, designed to provide ongoing, collaborative support for educators, moving beyond traditional professional development to foster lasting change in classrooms. While guiding the coaching work to include university credit.
A first-generation college graduate, Yvonne holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Angelo State University and a master’s in Bilingual Education from NOVA Southeastern University. Her credentials are further enhanced by endorsements in TESL, Bilingual Education, and Computer Literacy. Her dedication extends beyond her professional life to her family, proudly raising two accomplished sons and living in Washington State with her husband.