Lindsey Bird
Language Institute Coordinator, Davis High School
As a native of Modesto and product of local public schools, an equitable education for all Central Valley students has always been a high priority for Lindsey Bird. Originally hired as a Social Science teacher for Modesto City Schools in 2004, advocating for students learning English as a second language quickly emerged as her passion. That is why she could not pass up the opportunity to become the Social Science instructor of the Language Institute when it opened its doors in 2009.
Lindsey Bird currently teaches ELD Geography at Grace M. Davis High School and is the coordinator of the Language Institute, a specialized program serving immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeking high school students in Modesto. Lindsey is a social justice champion in the greater Central Valley and founder of the community advocacy group Community Advocates for Language Institute Families (CALIF). In May of 2013 she was awarded “Maestra del Ano” by the Association of Mexican American Educators, in August of 2015 she received the “Amiga of the Year” award from El Concilio, and in November of 2015 she was honored as one of five Carlston Family Foundation “Outstanding Teachers of America”. Lindsey is also an education policy fellow for Teach Plus, part-time lecturer for the CSU Stanislaus teacher credential program, and was flown to Washington D.C. to consult former Secretary of Education John King on refugee education. She earned a degree in Social Science from California State University Chico and a master’s degree in Literacy and Digital Learning from the University of San Diego. She hopes that through the Irvine New Leadership Network she can find ways to continue to improve the educational experience of the newest members of our community while expanding opportunity and integration for their entire families.
Lindsey, her husband Ryan, daughter Keira (11), and son Brett (8) live in Modesto. They have all benefitted from the cultural experiences gained by interacting with Language Institute students and families.