Celebrate. Honor. Commemorate. Salute.
The struggles and success of the past pave the way for a better future.
Experience and Heart
“Now, more than ever, training that addresses empathy, cultural awareness as well as the unique needs of various learners must be addressed. Lindsey Bird has invested her career to addressing the needs of newcomers and has the experience and the heart to promote change.”
- Heather Dean, Ph.D., Stanislaus State University
SSCP Coordinator/Assistant Professor of Education
Lindsey is patient, yet passionate
“As a Syrian immigrant and former student of Mrs. Bird, I can say that she is very patient yet passionate about creating education pathways for unique students like me. She knows we all have different needs and believes each of us is worthy of getting the literacy and support needed to define our American Dream.
Mrs. Bird uses the power of empathy, rather than sympathy, to help students and teachers believe anything is possible. She also knows the barriers in the system that sometimes stand in our way. I would not be where I am today without the program she built to support all of my needs- academic, linguistic, emotional, and cultural.”
- Hind Zeitohn, California State University San Francisco Undergraduate, Astrophysics
Arrived in the United States from Syria, February 2016
Graduated from Grace M Davis High School, 2018
A vision of justice and equity
“Lindsey is a jack of all trades when it comes to equity consulting (in the education space/arena). I was fortunate to work alongside Ms. Bird, both of us as empowered public school teachers. This brought us together on a team to form, and pitch, a charter school "proposal" to our local county school board. We also teamed up on the "America To Me" learning series which helped youth develop their own social justice project. Through the journey we became even more empowered; and now Lindsey is officially opening up her services to the public. Her equity services that are provided to parents, students, and the total community is one to reckon with. I'm just glad she's on my team, and I on hers! Thanks Lindsey for your presence in our community and for sharing a vision of justice and equity. Let's keep doing it Colossal!”
- Renaldo Rucker Jr., M. Ed
Modesto City Schools Special Education Instructor
New Colossus Academy Petitioner
Former California Black Student Union President
Former Advocates for Justice Board Member
A clear articulate
brave voice
“I have been in the field of language education for 25 years, and I say sincerely that Lindsey Bird is the real deal in her knowledge, advocacy, and experience in the areas of education and equity for English learners. She truly walks the walk with strength, responsiveness, and action. She is not only a clear articulate brave voice for refugee and immigrant students, but she also works to amplify their voices and empower allies. Through her consultancy, you not only get a leader, but also a servant to students, their parents, and the community through her passionate and full investment, engagement, and sheer hard work.”
Ruth Luman, M.A. Education, M.Ed.
Post-Secondary Reading & Writing, TESOL Certified, Modesto Junior College Professor, English Language Development
Faculty Coordinator of the English for Life and Work Program
Civic Engagement Project of MJC Member
Language learning and work experience in Ethiopia, Cambodia, Uganda, and Mexico
Her leadership is invaluable
“Lindsey’s leadership in the education of those typically underserved in education has been invaluable to our larger community in the Central Valley and to me, personally, as an educator. Lindsey Bird is an irreplaceable teacher and professional leader in the education of newcomers in the United States. Years of diligent work went into her creation of a newcomer program that would provide access for newcomer and underprivileged students to literacy and higher education. Being part of this collaborative work has been the highlight of my career. Lindsey’s equity mindset is unique in that her professionalism stems from an understanding of educational rights, cultural literacy and the importance of the individual student and their life experiences. Lindsey’s years of serving newcomer students built an invaluable educational perspective that is needed to build equitable communities of learning. Lindsey has helped inspire professional learning communities around a common vision of serving students that might otherwise be overlooked and underserved. She also understands that data-driven decision making is necessary when pushing rigorous learning, while also understanding that data doesn’t always represent the true story of English Learners. Data, plus a human connection built through peer mentorship, adult mentorship and explicit teaching of the language, culture and American education system is the key to building capacity in others.”
Joy Koski, M. Ed.
AVID Site Coordinator & AVID Teacher, Grace. M Davis High
Site Instructional Coach
English Teacher
New Colossus Academy Petitioner
Equity, empathy, and empowerment
“Equity, empathy, and empowerment, are the first words that come to mind when I think of Lindsey Bird. I worked with Lindsey for five years and from day one, we connected instantly because we spoke the same language when it came to providing equitable education for all students. She basically had me at Hello! Today, more than ever, we have an urgency in education to meet the needs of our growing, diverse population. We need people that are culturally competent and knowledgeable in the latest educational policies and committed to follow through in every task. Lindsey embodies this, and seeks unity in collaborating with students, staff, and parents to build a community of opportunities, choices, and advancement. She not only advocates for students, but puts in the hard and heart work to make sure she has done everything possible to support students' educational journey. Lindsey is a natural consultant that brings teams together and traditionally silent voices to the forefront. So to witness that she has officially embarked as a consultant, without a doubt, she is the perfect person for this role. I have learned so much from Lindsey about social justice and advocacy, and for that my vision about education has only enhanced for the better.”
Anita Villaseñor, M. Ed.
Modesto City Schools High School Counselor
Masters School Counseling Education, PPS
An avid advocate
“In my position, I have the good fortune to travel the state of California to identify and honor outstanding California high school teachers. In 2015, my travels brought me to Lindsey Bird’s classroom at Davis High School in Modesto, to observe her and The Language Institute program. Of all my years as a high school administrator, and for the past 13 years in my current position, I have never seen a teacher who so completely understood how to address the multiple needs of such a diverse group of high need students, representing countries from around the world. Since then, under Lindsey’s direction, The Language Institute has achieved more for Language Learners in a short period of time than any other ELD program I have seen. She has guided her team to create a unique and effective curriculum that supports newcomers in their transition to a new country, provides them with a solid academic education and prepares them fully for higher education. There is no one I am aware of in the state of California who better understands how to serve and educate this group of underserved students than Lindsey. She is an avid advocate for immigrant students, endears herself to their community, takes the time to understand and appreciate their cultures and is committed to social-emotional education and social justice.”
Tim Allen, M. Ed.Executive Director, The Carlston Family Foundation
National Education Consultant, Speaker, and Trainer
Former high school teacher and administrator
Founding Board Member, National Association for Children of Alcoholics
A warrior for equity
“Working alongside Lindsey Bird for the last eleven years I have learned one thing: she knows how to play the educational system game on all levels! Whether a district needs help with program re-design or groups of students need advocacy, Lindsey plays the game to win, and wins fairly. She wins because her experiential knowledge of educational policy, educational systems, curriculum design, and student/community responsiveness has positioned her to be an expert in the educational field. Her life experiences and passion for social justice has made her into the warrior for equity in education that she is. If your district is looking to expand its capacity in cultural/community responsiveness, empathy, overall cultural shifts that lead to student advancement, Lindsey Bird is the person you need.”
Dr. Amelia Herrera, ELD Teacher, Language Institute, Grace Davis High School
Adjunct Professor, Secondary Education Department, CSU, Stanislaus
CA Education Policy Alumna, Teach Plus
State Treasurer, United Black Student Unions of California
