Students learn about parts of a plant in English in one of the classes Colomer observed in Honduras.
Soria Colomer is an associate professor of bilingual education in Oregon State University’s College of Education. She is also the inaugural Patricia Valian Reser Faculty Scholar of Education for a three-year term, and traveled twice in the past year to work with bilingual teachers in Honduras.
Where were you working?
Copán Ruinas in Honduras. It’s named for the nearby Copán ruins, a major Mayan archaeological site.
What languages are spoken there?
Spanish and the Indigenous Mayan language Ch’orti.
What was the focus of your work?
I went there on an exploratory visit looking to understand how immigration policy impacts education across borders. A lot of research in bilingual education is with Mexican heritage students because that’s the largest Spanish-speaking immigrant-origin community in the U.S. However, we’re seeing a growing population of students from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in our schools, so I wanted to study these contexts as well. This visit revealed numerous research opportunities at the intersection of bilingual teacher identities, translanguaging and transnationalism.
After being there for a week or so, I connected with three women who 33 years ago founded Mayatan, a PK-12 bilingual school. For eight weeks I worked alongside administrators and observed and engaged with teachers, who are both local and international, to do what the school rector called “una radiografía de la escuela” — an X-ray of the school. I was really honored that they trusted me. My time there helped to create a relationship with educators in Copán, a very important first step for future work, whether it be research, exchange programs or providing ongoing professional development for bilingual teachers at Mayatan and other schools in the community.
Mayatan teachers discuss children's books.
How much time have you spent there?
I was there from January to March, winter term 2024, and then went back for a week in August to do a separate workshop with teachers. That being said, my family is from Honduras, so I’d visited the town a few times for personal trips.
What’s the best food you’ve eaten there?
Hand-made corn tortillas, made with recently ground corn. And their coffee. The basics are so good there.
What’s the most non-touristy thing you got to do?
I think just being there and walking around. When I went to the ruins, a taxi driver drove up and was like, “You’re the teacher from Mayatan, I see you walking up and down all the time!”
What’s an important phrase you’ve learned in the local language?
I already spoke Spanish; a good word to know is that Hondurans call themselves “catrachas/catrachos.”
Soria Colomer in Honduras.
What’s one thing you’ll take home?
One thing that really stuck with me was that the teachers and staff at this private school were incredibly humble and generous with their counterparts at the local public school, sharing any professional development they get with the public school teachers and sharing books and workbooks with the students. It’s a very humble-minded private school.
What were you most surprised to learn?
It’s the smallest thing — and this speaks to my American self — but they don’t have street signs. I’m so glad I caught myself; I was like, “They need to name their streets!” and then I remember walking around and realizing, no, they don’t; they’re reading the world, they’re not just looking at the corners. It was realizing that maybe I needed to be open, and they don’t need to change how they do things just because Soria doesn’t understand it.
Who are your closest local colleagues?
I’d say the three women who founded Mayatan: Nora, Norma and Marisol. We remain in contact.
A classroom Colomer observed at Mayatan.
What’s the biggest challenge of working there?
Maybe that the internet goes out often. However, I was able to accomplish a lot in eight weeks. I’m sure there’s a lesson there.
Besides family, what do you miss most from home?
Certain foods, like I missed salmon — but then I had fresh papaya there. So there’s that realization of being present and appreciating what you have in the moment.
What piece of advice would you give others who might travel there?
Obviously, you have to visit las Ruinas de Copán. And then just know that it’s safe. There’s such a negative view and narrative around Honduras. Just like in the U.S. or any other country, there are places that you need to be careful, but I walked around on my own and always felt safe in Copán. They’re good people, and they’re welcoming of tourists. Also, if you’re interested in teaching abroad, I encourage folks to look into Mayatan — it’s a very special place.
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