Jennifer Olson - Immersion
Welcome to Spanish Immersion Kindergarten!
~Las Abejas y Los Girasoles~
Our Classroom
- About the Teacher
- Photo Gallery
- Spanish Immersion
- Class Expectations
- Class Wishlist
- Fun Learning Links
About the Teacher
Email Ms. Olson
Degrees and Certifications:
BA Spanish, Foreign Languages & Literatures
BA Elementary Education
Spanish Language Certificate
Early Childhood Education Endorsement
Structured English Immersion Endorsement
Señorita Olson
¡Bienvenidas Familias!
Welcome to Kindergarten Spanish Immersion at Union Park School! We are excited about incredible new adventures in learning and fun throughout this 2024-2025 school year. I am so very honored to be your Teacher. I love working with our community, continuing "Toro Traditions" together for the fifth year since we opened our school.
Born in Los Angeles, and raised in San Diego, I grew up in a very culturally rich and diverse environment. I came to study at Arizona State University and have lived in Arizona for over 30 years now. I love living and working within the Deer Valley Unified School District. We take pride that my daughter grew up in our schools, and graduated as an O'Connor High School Eagle. She is now beginning her first year at University. I know that DVUSD is the best district in the state!
I have been a Teacher in Arizona for over 25 years. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Spanish at ASU from the department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, later adding my Post Baccalaureate degree in K-8 Elementary Education. My specialties and endorsements include Early Childhood Education, Spanish, and Structured English Immersion. I have enjoyed teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade Spanish Immersion over the years--and yes, Kindergarten is my favorite place to be. I put my heart into working with children and watching them grow in areas we never dreamed of. Through fun, engaging activities, the possibilities for language acquisition are endless at this bright, young age.
My number one focus for teaching and learning is health and safety--and with health comes a balance between growing academic knowledge and social-emotional learning. Bringing an ease and comfort level is key to all learning. My feelings of respecting the brains and emotions of children throughout the various stages of language acquisition are extremely important and close to my heart.
Please know that I am here for your family throughout this exciting journey in education.
Sinceramente,
Señorita Olson
Photo Gallery
Spanish Immersion
Spanish Immersion
Welcome to the Deer Valley Unified School District’s Spanish Immersion Program
The Mission of the Spanish Immersion Program in the Deer Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona, is to create a world class, fully articulated Spanish language curriculum from Kindergarten to the University which will enhance the future success of students in a global and technologically advanced society.
The Spanish Immersion Program and Its Goals
The DVUSD Spanish Immersion program provides extraordinary language and culture opportunities with instruction in Spanish for students to gain Advanced proficiency in Spanish, along with English. Subject area instruction, along with instruction in Spanish, occurs for at least 50% of the school day in the target language during the elementary school years. Kindergarten and first grade students will be immersed in Spanish instruction for 50% of the school day to build a strong foundation in Spanish, increasing opportunities for higher levels of bilingualism.
- Build students’ proficiency in Spanish language to acquire Advanced- Superior proficiency
- Establish an immersion setting and connections to Spanish-Speaking cultures
- Provide excellent instruction and curriculum
- Prepare students to be responsible citizens and leaders in a globalized world
- Foster students’ life-long learning of cultures and languages
- Develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Work collaboratively to establish an extraordinary program
Why Spanish Immersion?
American Council of Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Anticipated Outcomes Table (below) illustrates potential performance levels based on when students enter the study of language by grade-level.
For more information about the benefits of language learning, visit the ACTFL research page at actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows.