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Desiree Pallais-Downing is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her research focuses on cross-language and cross-cultural aspects of teaching and learning, particularly among Spanish-speaking Latino populations. She has expertise in research evaluation methods, language acquisition, Spanish literacy development, and bilingual education methodologies. With extensive experience in educational policy initiatives in Latin America and Texas, she has examined the pedagogical contributions of Spanish-speaking bilingual teacher candidates in dual-language classrooms. Her career began in Nicaragua, where she founded 'Lo Pequeño es Bello', an innovative bilingual school. Pallais has consulted internationally on literacy evaluation and has contributed significantly to the field through her work with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education under USAID-funded projects. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin and has participated in various educational initiatives aimed at enhancing literacy among Spanish-speaking communities.
University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX
Teaches courses in Research Methods and Literacy Development, focusing on bilingual education.
Lo Pequeño es Bello • Nicaragua
Established an innovative bilingual school that introduced computer-assisted instruction for young children.
General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.