For decades, translators and interpreters have quietly served as the bridge between schools and families, making sure every message is understood and every voice heard. This summer, Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is bringing those professionals “out of the shadows and into the spotlight” at the inaugural Professional Translators and Interpreters Conference (PTIC).
Heading the one-day event are local and statewide experts who are elevating the role of language access in education and will share best practices, ethical standards and strategies for building cultural connections in schools. Rosario Meehan and Sylvia Puente, translation professionals from Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, will share how they help coordinate language services and training across the district’s 96 campuses and facilities for the more than 46% of Spanish-speaking families in their community.
Respected voices like Giovanna Carriero-Contreras, Ryan Foley, Hillary Berman, Andrew Dafeo and more will each bring deep experience in education, translation and advocacy. Together, they will lead sessions designed to inform, inspire and affirm the essential work interpreters and translators do daily as attendees discuss their code of ethics, cultural intelligence and community partnerships.
The conference is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Irvington Conference Center. Attendees can gain 8.5 hours of professional development (or CEU credit) for translators, interpreters, bilingual educators and staff members called upon to translate and/or interpret.