Celeste Morales

Affiliation

Independent Researcher

Biography

I'm a PhD student currently in the pre-candidacy stage of my doctoral studies at [insert university name], where I focus on the experiences of Latine immigrant families raising Spanish-English bilingual children in the U.S. My research is rooted in a deep interest in how families maintain their home language while navigating new cultural, social, and educational systems. I’m particularly drawn to the everyday decisions parents make around language use, and how schools and communities can better support those efforts. Before beginning my doctoral journey, I spent over a decade teaching Spanish in both academic and community-based settings. That work shaped how I think about language—not just as a system of communication, but as a source of identity, connection, and resilience. My academic path is guided by a desire to uplift the voices of families whose stories often go unheard in mainstream education conversations. As a first-generation scholar, I understand the importance of access, affirmation, and culturally grounded learning. My current work involves qualitative research, including interviews with Latine parents, to understand both the challenges and strengths they bring to raising bilingual children. I’ve shared emerging insights at academic conferences and enjoy opportunities to collaborate with educators who want to bridge home and school language practices.