In this episode, David Alvarez sits down with education advocates Amber Riehman (Californians Together) and Carolyne Crolotte (Early Edge California) to discuss the vital role of dual language learning, overcoming the legacy of Proposition 227, and creating real pathways for bilingual students to become the next generation of teachers.


Discover how Assembly Bill 2325 (AB 2325) is addressing California’s bilingual teacher shortage, leveraging the State Seal of Biliteracy, and transforming how we view language assets from early childhood education through high school graduation.


📌 In this episode, we cover:
• The economic, cognitive, and cultural benefits of dual language education.
•The English Learner Roadmap and identifying Dual Language Learners early.
•Building sustainable pipelines from high school dual enrollment to university teacher prep.
•Combating fear and creating safe, welcoming spaces for immigrant families in schools.

📞 Need assistance from our office? If you live in California's 80th Assembly District and need help with a state agency, contact our Chula Vista office at (619) 498-8580 or visit a80.asmdc.org.
👍 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave a rating to help us share these important conversations!


Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: The Power of Language Assets
01:00 - Assemblymember David Alvarez on AB 2325 & Personal Experience
02:35 - Meet the Guests: Californians Together & Early Edge California
05:05 - California's English Learner Roadmap & Student Diversity
08:00 - Overcoming Proposition 227 & The Brain Benefits of Bilingualism
11:25 - Early Education: AB 1363 & Identifying Dual Language Learners
19:15 - Personal Stories: Why Multilingual Education Matters
26:00 - State Seal of Biliteracy & Global California 2030 Goals
33:15 - How AB 2325 Creates a Pipeline for Future Bilingual Teachers
38:30 - Belonging, Joy, and Overcoming Barriers for Immigrant Families
45:00 - Final Thoughts & District 80 Constituent Resources

In this episode, David Alvarez sits down with education advocates Amber Riehman (Californians Together) and Carolyne Crolotte (Early Edge California) to discuss the vital role of dual language learning, overcoming the legacy of Proposition 227, and creating real pathways for bilingual students to become the next generation of teachers.
 Discover how Assembly Bill 2325 (AB 2325) is addressing California&rsquo;s bilingual teacher shortage, leveraging the State Seal of Biliteracy, and transforming how we view language assets from early childhood education through high school graduation.
 📌 In this episode, we cover: &bull; The economic, cognitive, and cultural benefits of dual language education. &bull;The English Learner Roadmap and identifying Dual Language Learners early. &bull;Building sustainable pipelines from high school dual enrollment to university teacher prep. &bull;Combating fear and creating safe, welcoming spaces for immigrant families in schools.
📞 Need assistance from our office? If you live in California's 80th Assembly District and need help with a state agency, contact our Chula Vista office at (619) 498-8580 or visit a80.asmdc.org. 👍 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave a rating to help us share these important conversations!
 Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: The Power of Language Assets 01:00 - Assemblymember David Alvarez on AB 2325 &amp; Personal Experience 02:35 - Meet the Guests: Californians Together &amp; Early Edge California 05:05 - California's English Learner Roadmap &amp; Student Diversity 08:00 - Overcoming Proposition 227 &amp; The Brain Benefits of Bilingualism 11:25 - Early Education: AB 1363 &amp; Identifying Dual Language Learners 19:15 - Personal Stories: Why Multilingual Education Matters 26:00 - State Seal of Biliteracy &amp; Global California 2030 Goals 33:15 - How AB 2325 Creates a Pipeline for Future Bilingual Teachers 38:30 - Belonging, Joy, and Overcoming Barriers for Immigrant Families 45:00 - Final Thoughts &amp; District 80 Constituent Resources

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with David Alvarez is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvarezsd/">David Alvarez</a> is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.

Dreaming Big | Working Hard

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with David Alvarez is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.

To know more visit: http://davidalvarez.com/

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with David Alvarez is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.
To know more visit: http://davidalvarez.com/

Why Dual Language Learning is the Future of California’s Economy & Schools

In this episode, David sits down with two inspiring district interns, Jacián Arreola, a Southwestern College transfer student heading to UCLA, and Izayah Ringfield, a South Bay native currently attending Yale University double-majoring in Political Science and Black Studies. 

Join the conversation as these next-generation changemakers discuss:
Their pathways through community college and higher education.
The real-world impact of California legislation, including AB 91 (cross-border student tuition relief) and AB 664 (bachelor’s degree programs at community colleges like Southwestern College).
The daily hands-on experience of working in a district office and helping South San Diego constituents directly.
Why youth engagement in local government is essential for the future of Chula Vista, Barrio Logan, and the entire 80th Assembly District.

Whether you're interested in public policy, community college transfer pathways, or local South Bay politics, this episode offers a raw and candid look into how dreaming big and working hard creates real progress.

🔔 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell to stay updated on new episodes!

 

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Youth Engagement & District Internship Program
00:38 – Meet the Interns: Educational Backgrounds (Southwestern College to UCLA & Yale)
01:38 – Why Pursue a Local Government Internship?
02:43 – Bipartisanship in Sacramento & How Small Bills Make Big Impacts
03:18 – Discovering Assemblymember Alvarez & The Impact of AB 91
05:04 – Future Career Aspirations: Public Policy, Constituent Services & Running for Office
08:21 – Community College Transfer Success: AB 664 & Higher Education Access in South Bay
12:07 – Education as a "Second Home": Local Education Pathways & Public vs. Private Universities
15:10 – What’s Next: Community Events, Sacramento Trips & The Young Legislators Program 

 

In this episode, David sits down with two inspiring district interns, Jaci&aacute;n Arreola, a Southwestern College transfer student heading to UCLA, and Izayah Ringfield, a South Bay native currently attending Yale University double-majoring in Political Science and Black Studies.&nbsp;
Join the conversation as these next-generation changemakers discuss:
<ul>
<li>Their pathways through community college and higher education.</li>
<li>The real-world impact of California legislation, including AB 91 (cross-border student tuition relief) and AB 664 (bachelor&rsquo;s degree programs at community colleges like Southwestern College).</li>
<li>The daily hands-on experience of working in a district office and helping South San Diego constituents directly.</li>
<li>Why youth engagement in local government is essential for the future of Chula Vista, Barrio Logan, and the entire 80th Assembly District.</li>
</ul>
Whether you're interested in public policy, community college transfer pathways, or local South Bay politics, this episode offers a raw and candid look into how dreaming big and working hard creates real progress.
🔔 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell to stay updated on new episodes!
&nbsp;
Timestamps
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">00:00 &ndash; Intro: Youth Engagement &amp; District Internship Program</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:38 &ndash; Meet the Interns: Educational Backgrounds (Southwestern College to UCLA &amp; Yale)</li>
<li aria-level="1">01:38 &ndash; Why Pursue a Local Government Internship?</li>
<li aria-level="1">02:43 &ndash; Bipartisanship in Sacramento &amp; How Small Bills Make Big Impacts</li>
<li aria-level="1">03:18 &ndash; Discovering Assemblymember Alvarez &amp; The Impact of AB 91</li>
<li aria-level="1">05:04 &ndash; Future Career Aspirations: Public Policy, Constituent Services &amp; Running for Office</li>
<li aria-level="1">08:21 &ndash; Community College Transfer Success: AB 664 &amp; Higher Education Access in South Bay</li>
<li aria-level="1">12:07 &ndash; Education as a "Second Home": Local Education Pathways &amp; Public vs. Private Universities</li>
<li aria-level="1">15:10 &ndash; What&rsquo;s Next: Community Events, Sacramento Trips &amp; The Young Legislators Program&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

How Local Government Internships Shape California’s Next Generation of Policymakers

South County San Diego is home to over 585,000 residents, yet it remains a "college desert" without a single local public four-year university. For place-bound students, working parents, and first-generation scholars, commuting or relocating hundreds of miles away simply isn't an option.

In this episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard, Assemblymember David Alvarez sits down with Marilynn Palomino, a Chula Vista native, single mother of two, student leader, and tutor at Southwestern College’s San Ysidro campus. Marilynn shares her powerful journey of returning to school after a ten-year gap, finding her passion in Forensic Studies, and traveling to Sacramento to testify in support of Assembly Bill 664 (AB 664).

Authored by Assemblymember Alvarez, AB 664 is a historic piece of legislation that would authorize Southwestern College to offer up to four workforce-aligned bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields like Applied Forensic Science, Allied Health Leadership, TESOL, and Interaction Design.

Tune in to discover what it really takes to break down systemic educational barriers, foster economic mobility, and keep life-changing opportunities close to home.

👉 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more stories of community leadership and opportunity!

Timestamps
● 00:00 - Intro: The outdated 1960 higher education model vs. modern student realities.
● 00:25 - Defining the South County "College Desert": 585,000 residents without a local public university.
● 01:52 - Welcome Marilynn Palomino: A non-traditional student story from Chula Vista.
● 02:23 - Graduating from Southwestern College and becoming an ASO Student Senator.
● 03:59 - Cultural expectations, family background, and the pressure to choose work over college.
● 06:26 - Life happens: Taking a 10-year break to raise a daughter and attending trade school.
● 11:17 - The decision to return to Southwestern College at 30 years old.
● 14:59 - Navigating campus support networks: EOPS, CalWORKs, and financial aid systems.
● 17:25 - Discovering a passion for Forensic Studies and crime lab career pathways.
● 20:53 - The San Jose barrier: Realizing her dream bachelor's degree is hundreds of miles away.
● 24:12 - From the campus pantry to Sacramento: Marilynn's student advocacy journey.
● 26:52 - Breaking down Assembly Bill 664 (AB 664) and workforce-aligned community college degrees.
● 31:02 - Using education as the ultimate tool for upward economic mobility to enter the middle class.
● 37:32 - "Thank you for everything you do": Inspiring the next generation of children.
● 39:40 - What happens next for AB 664 in the Senate.

South County San Diego is home to over 585,000 residents, yet it remains a "college desert" without a single local public four-year university. For place-bound students, working parents, and first-generation scholars, commuting or relocating hundreds of miles away simply isn't an option.
In this episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard, Assemblymember David Alvarez sits down with Marilynn Palomino, a Chula Vista native, single mother of two, student leader, and tutor at Southwestern College&rsquo;s San Ysidro campus. Marilynn shares her powerful journey of returning to school after a ten-year gap, finding her passion in Forensic Studies, and traveling to Sacramento to testify in support of Assembly Bill 664 (AB 664).
Authored by Assemblymember Alvarez, AB 664 is a historic piece of legislation that would authorize Southwestern College to offer up to four workforce-aligned bachelor&rsquo;s degrees in high-demand fields like Applied Forensic Science, Allied Health Leadership, TESOL, and Interaction Design.
Tune in to discover what it really takes to break down systemic educational barriers, foster economic mobility, and keep life-changing opportunities close to home.
👉 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more stories of community leadership and opportunity!
Timestamps ● 00:00 - Intro: The outdated 1960 higher education model vs. modern student realities. ● 00:25 - Defining the South County "College Desert": 585,000 residents without a local public university. ● 01:52 - Welcome Marilynn Palomino: A non-traditional student story from Chula Vista. ● 02:23 - Graduating from Southwestern College and becoming an ASO Student Senator. ● 03:59 - Cultural expectations, family background, and the pressure to choose work over college. ● 06:26 - Life happens: Taking a 10-year break to raise a daughter and attending trade school. ● 11:17 - The decision to return to Southwestern College at 30 years old. ● 14:59 - Navigating campus support networks: EOPS, CalWORKs, and financial aid systems. ● 17:25 - Discovering a passion for Forensic Studies and crime lab career pathways. ● 20:53 - The San Jose barrier: Realizing her dream bachelor's degree is hundreds of miles away. ● 24:12 - From the campus pantry to Sacramento: Marilynn's student advocacy journey. ● 26:52 - Breaking down Assembly Bill 664 (AB 664) and workforce-aligned community college degrees. ● 31:02 - Using education as the ultimate tool for upward economic mobility to enter the middle class. ● 37:32 - "Thank you for everything you do": Inspiring the next generation of children. ● 39:40 - What happens next for AB 664 in the Senate.

Should Community Colleges Offer 4-Year Degrees? Inside Assembly Bill 664

What does a California State Assemblymember actually do when they aren’t voting on bills in Sacramento? In this episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard,  David Alvarez flips the script and sits down with his own front-line team: District Field Representatives Liliana Barba and Ernesto Castañeda.

Discover the hidden half of government service that changes lives day-to-day right here in the San Diego community. From breaking through bureaucratic red tape with unemployment claims to navigating the unique binational dynamics of the 80th District California, learn how real constituent caseworkers get things done without the corporate AI robot filters.

If you are facing issues with a state government agency, remember that our office is your office.

📞 Contact the Chula Vista District Office: (619) 498-8580

🌐 Visit our website: https://a80.asmdc.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: The Unseen Half of the California State Assembly
01:28 – Meet the Team: Frontline Staff of the 80th District
02:50 – What is a District Field Representative?
04:30 – Battling Political Cynicism & Restoring Trust
05:50 – A Day in the Life: Late-Night Meetings & Community Outreach
08:27 – Casework Victory: Recovering Stuck Unemployment Benefits
10:40 – Why Human Contact Beats AI Phone Trees
13:13 – Building Real Relationships in San Diego Communities
16:36 – Staff Interview: Keeping Grounded in a Heavy Budget Week
20:00 – Going Rogue: What a Day in Sacramento Really Looks Like
24:40 – Engaging the Next Generation: Internships & Young Legislators
28:51 – Driving the Binational Economy: Baja Fridays & Cross-Border Policy
31:45 – Serving Families: The Annual South County College Fair
35:24 – AB 91 & the Reality of "Transfronterizo" Students
41:40 – Outro: How to Reach Our Office for State Government Help
 
#DavidAlvarez, #CaliforniaStateAssembly, #80thDistrict, #SanDiegoCommunity, #ConstituentCasework, #DreamingBigWorkingHard, #PublicService,

What does a California State Assemblymember actually do when they aren&rsquo;t voting on bills in Sacramento? In this episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard, &nbsp;David Alvarez flips the script and sits down with his own front-line team: District Field Representatives Liliana Barba and Ernesto Casta&ntilde;eda.
Discover the hidden half of government service that changes lives day-to-day right here in the San Diego community. From breaking through bureaucratic red tape with unemployment claims to navigating the unique binational dynamics of the 80th District California, learn how real constituent caseworkers get things done without the corporate AI robot filters.
If you are facing issues with a state government agency, remember that our office is your office.
📞 Contact the Chula Vista District Office: (619) 498-8580
🌐 Visit our website: https://a80.asmdc.org/
Timestamps: 00:00 &ndash; Intro: The Unseen Half of the California State Assembly 01:28 &ndash; Meet the Team: Frontline Staff of the 80th District 02:50 &ndash; What is a District Field Representative? 04:30 &ndash; Battling Political Cynicism &amp; Restoring Trust 05:50 &ndash; A Day in the Life: Late-Night Meetings &amp; Community Outreach 08:27 &ndash; Casework Victory: Recovering Stuck Unemployment Benefits 10:40 &ndash; Why Human Contact Beats AI Phone Trees 13:13 &ndash; Building Real Relationships in San Diego Communities 16:36 &ndash; Staff Interview: Keeping Grounded in a Heavy Budget Week 20:00 &ndash; Going Rogue: What a Day in Sacramento Really Looks Like 24:40 &ndash; Engaging the Next Generation: Internships &amp; Young Legislators 28:51 &ndash; Driving the Binational Economy: Baja Fridays &amp; Cross-Border Policy 31:45 &ndash; Serving Families: The Annual South County College Fair 35:24 &ndash; AB 91 &amp; the Reality of "Transfronterizo" Students 41:40 &ndash; Outro: How to Reach Our Office for State Government Help &nbsp; #DavidAlvarez, #CaliforniaStateAssembly, #80thDistrict, #SanDiegoCommunity, #ConstituentCasework, #DreamingBigWorkingHard, #PublicService,

Why Dual Language Learning is the Future of California’s Economy & Schools

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