Learning Across Languages and History

Learning Across Languages and History

From The Spark by WITF

April 28, 2026 · 46 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the significance of bilingual education with Dr. Andrea Kolb and revisits the State Museum's exhibit A Place for All.

In this bilingual segment, we explore the power and importance of bilingual education with educator and education leader Dr. Andrea Kolb. Andrea moves fluidly between Spanish and English as we talk about why bilingual learning matters for both Spanish‑ and English‑speaking students, how it supports academic success beyond language skills, and the ways it fosters confidence, cultural pride, and belonging. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and multilingual education expert, Andrea shares insights on what educators and families need most to make bilingual education thrive—and what she hopes listeners gain from hearing ideas expressed in both languages. We also revisit the State Museum’s acclaimed exhibit A Place for All , first discussed on Smart Talk in 2022, to explore what curators have learned after sharing it with new audiences through tours and public programs. Now that visitor reactions and conversations have had time to unfold, there’s much more to reflect on. We also preview the museum’s upcoming spring lecture series connected to Revolutionary Things , the primary 250th‑anniversary exhibit. Kicking off April 12, the series invites the public…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Andrea Kolb

Topics covered

  • bilingual education
  • cultural pride
  • academic success
  • multilingual education
  • museum exhibits
  • Revolutionary War

Keywords

  • bilingual education
  • Spanish
  • English
  • cultural pride
  • academic success
  • State Museum
  • Revolutionary War
  • exhibit
  • education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: State Museum

Books & works: A Place for All

More episodes of The Spark

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Spark podcast page.