J. Joy Esquierdo

Affiliation

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Track

Biography

Dr. J. Joy Esquierdo was born and raised in the delta area of the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas. She is a Professor in the Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. She is also the Director for the Center for Bilingual Studies with the B3 Institute, and the Interim Director for the School of Art. She earned her doctorate degree of Texas A& M University in College Station in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Bilingual Education. Dr. Esquierdo’s scholarship centers on bilingual-dual language students in various areas such as gifted education, content biliteracy development (English and Spanish), and overall best teaching practices for bilingual-dual language learners that focus on academic rigor. She has served the Texas Association for Bilingual Education Executive Board in various positions, including President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Most importantly, she is the proud mother of her two sons, Andrés Joaquín and Rolando Jesús.