About DLI Hub

Bilingual Students. Empowered Families. Stronger Schools.

A comprehensive platform for dual language immersion education, founded on research, clinical expertise, and real-world school leadership.

Our Foundation

Our Mission

DLI Hub equips educators and parents with the knowledge, strategies, and support to build and sustain high-quality dual language immersion programs where all students develop bilingual proficiency and achieve academic excellence.

Our Vision

A future where dual language immersion education is recognized as a proven pathway to bilingual proficiency and academic achievement for all students, and where every school has the knowledge, tools, and support to build and sustain high-quality DLI programs.

Our Core Values

Educator-Centered

We support and empower educators and administrators who lead dual language programs, recognizing them as the foundation of student success.

Student-Focused

Everything we do ultimately serves student success—bilingual proficiency, academic achievement, and cultural pride.

Research-Grounded

We base our work on evidence and proven practices, translating research into actionable strategies educators can implement immediately.

Whole-Child Development

We recognize that bilingual development involves cognitive, behavioral, and cultural dimensions that shape the entire child.

Why DLI Hub Exists

1

Fragmented Resources

Educators, administrators, and parents seeking DLI information face a fragmented landscape with no centralized, expert-led hub. DLI Hub brings everything together in one place.

2

Teacher Preparation Gap

Many teachers enter DLI classrooms without specialized preparation. DLI Hub provides the professional development and support they need to succeed.

3

Parent Support Needed

Parents often have questions about bilingual development, code-switching, and cultural identity. DLI Hub provides evidence-based guidance to support their children's journey.

4

Whole-Child Approach Missing

Most DLI resources focus on curriculum and pedagogy. DLI Hub uniquely integrates psychology, addressing emotional, social, and cultural dimensions of bilingual development.

5

Practitioner Expertise Needed

Theory without practice is incomplete. DLI Hub content is grounded in real-world experience from successful DLI programs, ensuring what we teach actually works.

Founder of DLI Hub

Dr. Catherine Rodriguez founded DLI Hub to provide comprehensive resources for educators, administrators, and families navigating dual language immersion education. She earned her Master's degree (MS/CCHP) in Clinical Counseling and Health Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), PA, and her Ed.D. in Leadership, Innovation, and Higher Education from Wilmington University, Delaware. She serves as Head of School of Dreamers Academy, Sarasota County's first and only dual language immersion public charter school. She brings a unique combination of clinical expertise, higher education leadership, and real-world school leadership to dual language immersion education.

Dr. Rodriguez leads a team of experts and specialists in the field of dual language education, bringing diverse perspectives and deep expertise to DLI Hub's mission of advancing bilingual education across the country.

Professional Background

  • Clinical Psychology: Master's degree (MS/CCHP) in Clinical Counseling and Health Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), PA
  • Educational Leadership: Ed.D. in Leadership, Innovation, and Higher Education from Wilmington University, Delaware
  • Head of School: Dreamers Academy, Sarasota's first and only dual language immersion public charter school (2021-Present), leading a K-8 Spanish immersion program serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Notable Achievements

  • 2025 Top Workplace Small Business Leader in Sarasota
  • Grew Dreamers Academy from startup to thriving school with 23+ instructional and support staff (2021-Present)
  • Achieved exceptional student outcomes: 36% → 72% English proficiency growth
  • PCOM Alumni Spotlight (May 16, 2021) - Featured by Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for contributions to dual language immersion education
  • First Hispanic American to be named Principal of a Sarasota public school

National Speaking Engagements

  • La Cosecha Dual Language Conference (New Mexico) - Presented sessions on dual language immersion education
  • NABE (National Association for Bilingual Education) and other national conferences
  • ALAS, FABE, World Languages Gulf Coast Conference - Active speaker and presenter
  • Conducts professional development and consulting nationwide on DLI implementation

Areas of Expertise

  • Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program design and implementation
  • Bilingual education leadership and administration
  • Clinical psychology applied to education
  • Teacher professional development in bilingual contexts
  • Family engagement in DLI programs
  • Bilingual student assessment and outcomes

Current Focus

  • DLI Hub: Comprehensive platform for dual language immersion education resources, consulting, and professional development
  • Suncoast Institute for Dual Language Education: 18-credit university program for educators, administrators, and leaders
  • Consulting with schools and districts nationwide on DLI implementation
  • Speaking engagements and webinars on bilingual education

Dr. Rodriguez combines clinical psychology expertise with real-world school leadership to create DLI Hub—a comprehensive platform that integrates research-based practice with practical, actionable strategies for educators, administrators, and families.

What Makes DLI Hub Different

Psychology + Pedagogy

We integrate clinical psychology with educational best practices, addressing the whole child—not just curriculum.

Multi-Stakeholder Expertise

Resources for educators, administrators, parents, and researchers—all from one trusted source with unified expertise.

Practitioner-Based Authority

Our content is grounded in real-world experience from successful DLI programs, not just theory.

Research-Informed

All content is grounded in latest research on bilingual development, DLI outcomes, and best practices.

Join the DLI Hub Community

Connect with educators, administrators, parents, and researchers on Facebook. Share experiences, ask questions, and stay updated on dual language immersion education.