One student’s simple observation – “You know what would be really cool? If we did a community podcast!” – became the spark that transformed how Rosa Alvarez’s K-5 English Language Development (ELD) students see themselves and future possibilities.

What started with enthusiasm for a tabletop microphone evolved into a two-year journey teaching multilingual learners something rarely taught explicitly: your curiosity is worth pursuing.

For Rosa, teaching her students to be resourceful was a key part of the learning. “Show, don’t just tell,” was her mantra. When reaching out to community partners, she made her process visible. Students watched her draft emails to potential collaborators. They witnessed responses arrive. They saw her negotiate partnerships with the NPR affiliate and specialists from the AZ K12 Center.

“I’ve really leaned into showing them that whenever we have any type of curiosity, don’t bottle it up. There are multiple resources you can tap into, and when you put them all together, you get your desired outcome,” Rosa reflected.

In the first year of the project, Rosa’s students were growing their language skills as they conducted real interviews and practiced speaking skills with purpose. After honing their skills, they went on a field trip to CATalyst Studios at the University of Arizona, a professional sound studio where they recorded their real podcast intros. For students hesitant to speak English, standing in a professional recording space and hitting record was transformative. Their voices belonged on the airwaves.

“Seeing this podcast come to life, and staying true to my instructional goals and staying true to students’ desires has been amazing,” Rosa reflected. “This work has been the greatest joy.”

The project deepened in the second year. Rosa and her students built their own professional podcast studio adjacent to her classroom, learning about budgeting, design, and technology throughout the process. Now all of her K-5 students—from kindergarteners contributing ideas to fifth-graders handling technical editing—had a meaningful role. For ELD students, this professional work sent a powerful message: Your ideas matter. You belong here.

Through Rosa’s project, students learned that English Language Development isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary; it’s about finding your voice and knowing that it matters to your community.

85+ Students Impacted

2 Years +

• Content Areas: English Language Development, Communication
• Life and workforce skills: Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving
• Career awareness