Cristian R. Solorza

Cristian R. Solorza has been a faculty member at Bank Street College of Education since 2003, serving as a Course Instructor and Supervised Fieldwork Advisor. He teaches courses on curriculum development, sheltered instruction in dual language classrooms, and native language literacy for Spanish-speaking children. His work focuses on bilingual education, translanguaging practices, and supporting multilingual learners in urban schools.

Educationally, Solorza holds an MSEd in Dual Language Bilingual Childhood Special and General Education and an MEd in School Leadership from Bank Street College. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Urban Education at the CUNY Graduate Center.

His research interests center on equitable bilingual education policies, translanguaging pedagogies, and the intersection of language and disability. He consults with schools nationally and internationally to improve programs for emergent bilinguals, focusing on assessment, curriculum adaptation, and collaborative teaching practices between ENL, special education, and monolingual educators.

Key contributions include challenging language allocation policies that marginalize bilingual students and advocating for translanguaging as a foundational practice in dual language programs. His work emphasizes preparing school leaders to sustain and expand bilingual education initiatives amid accountability pressures.