186 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine EDUCATION For nearly two decades, Mara Betancourt Coker has devoted her time and effort to teaching and school administration. Originally from Mexico, she received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from the Universidad de las Américas, followed by a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from The University of Texas at Arlington. After immigrating to the United States in 2004, Ms. Betancourt Coker began volunteering in a third-grade bilingual class in the Lewisville ISD, where she realized a passion for teaching that led her to pursue a lifetime career in academia. She subsequently became a campus administrator and bilingual specialist, and after receiving her master’s degree, she joined The University of Texas at Arlington as an adjunct professor in the College of Education for two years. Since 2018, she has served as the director of language acquisition in the Keller ISD. Over the course of her career, Ms. Betancourt Coker has reached many significant milestones, including the creation of a two-way dual-language Spanish program, a dream she’d envisioned at the onset of her career. The program benefits students with low English proficiency and provides opportunities for students and families interested in learning another language. With a diverse learning environment, the program allows students to share their language skills and learn from each other, enabling them to grasp nuances and expressions that would not traditionally feature in academic curricula. In the coming years, Ms. Betancourt Coker plans to pursue a doctorate and return to higher education as a professor. During her time teaching at The University of Texas at Arlington, she found fulfillment in connecting with and inspiring the next generation of ESL and bilingual teachers. Though implementing bilingual education remains a work in progress, she is optimistic about the positive, long-lasting impact of such programs and works each day to expand their reach. MARA BETANCOURT COKER DIRECTOR Keller Independent School District Fort Worth, TX
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