We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Delilah Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Delilah, what principle do you value most?
At my core, I am an early childhood educator. I operate under the tenet that “students do not need to reform educators; educators must reform to meet the needs of their students.” To create early childhood literacy learners, I believe thinks educators and families need to use approaches that are developmentally appropriate, grounded on research, and culturally relevant. I believe early childhood education places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of the child, including their physical, intellectual, social, and emotional requirements. I think programs and curriculum should be based on an awareness of both the unique development of each child and the broad patterns of growth that characterize the early years must be developmentally appropriate.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started the Emerging Learners Literacy Foundation (ELLF) in 2020. Through language and literacy development, social and emotional learning, cultural awareness, and community networking, the Emerging Learning Literacy Foundation seeks to increase early childhood literacy learners, educators, families, and community stakeholders.

One book at a time, I aim to provide young people with access to literature through my involvement with ELLF and our Project Bold initiative.

According to recent Gallup data, one in three adults in our neighborhood lack functional literacy. Of the youngsters in our town, 41% lack the necessary skills to start kindergarten prepared to learn how to read, while 73% of them Three-year-olds are not reading at grade level. Early childhood families, in my opinion, hold the key to resolving this dilemma. It’s common knowledge that a home library can help turn those figures around. We collaborate with families to create home libraries and up the amount of literacy-related activities in the house through Project BOLD. Over the last 4 years ELLF has donated over 40,000 books to children, teachers, prinicipals and parents. We have also given grant to funds to 80 new teacher classroom teacher to build their classroom library.

Reaching one early childhood literacy learner, one family, one educator, and one stakeholder at a time is the challenge I look forward to as the executive board director: “effectively producing a successful child, rooted in a successful family, linking a successful home and which builds a successful community.”

Apart from my employment at ELLF, I have been an early literacy consultant for the National Literacy Institute for more than 20 years. In addition, I hold a tenure-track position at Texas Southern University’s College of Education.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have lived in Houston for the last nine years. However, I am still exploring the Houston metro area myself. But I have a favorite breakfast spot I always take my family to when they visit- Snooze. I love their shrimp and grits. After breakfast a top place to visit is Discovery Green, there is always something fascinating going on there. Of course a late lunch early dinner would be at has seafood! Of course we would visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science and do a little shopping in Rice Village. I always try to attend the latest at Theater Under the Stars and Pearl Theater.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dr. J Helen Perkins my mentor has served as an inspiration to me for over the last 25 years. As a champion in the area of literacy I have had the opportunity to grow and develop with her encouragement.

Website: www.emerginglearnersliteracyfoundation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emerging_learners_literacy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delilah-gonzales-ed-d-6b627018/

Twitter: @DrDee12369064

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delilah.davis.5/

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