HELEN BERG

Inspector

Helen Berg, a native of Mexico City, is the Associate Dean of Student Success and Partnership within the College of Education at Sam Houston State University. She leverages her extensive education and academic leadership background to enhance student outcomes and foster collaborative initiatives. Her distinguished career began as a bilingual teacher, where she demonstrated a profound commitment to inclusive education and supporting students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. As Associate Dean, Dr. Berg leads and supports initial teacher preparation pathways into teaching, develops partnerships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, and leads student success initiatives.

After finishing her doctorate from the University of Colorado at Denver, Dr. Berg transitioned to higher education as an assistant professor of bilingual education. Her innovative teaching enriched the learning experiences of her PK-12 students and prepared future educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively support bilingual learners in various educational contexts. She spent several years as a classroom teacher and earned her master’s degree in special education with an emphasis on Autism. As a faculty of a teaching methods course, she immersed herself in the field by utilizing a classroom within a local elementary school. This speaks to her passion for maintaining ties to the profession and integrating theoretical concepts into practical experiences for her students. Dr. Berg further distinguished herself as a program coordinator for the bilingual and English as a Second language program coordinator where she was instrumental in curriculum development, faculty collaboration, and student engagement. Subsequently, she assumed the role of associate chair. During this time, her contribution led to creating and implementing a pioneering residency program, designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application through immersive, hands-on experiences for teacher candidates. The highlight of the residency program is the involvement of faculty members acting as site coordinators. During the pilot year, she served as a faculty site coordinator. In this role, she served as a liaison between the school principals, mentor teachers, staff, and the SHSU bilingual pre-service educators.

In her role as Associate Dean, Dr. Berg works closely with faculty, students, and staff to develop and implement strategic initiatives that promote student success. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive and equitable academic environment, ensuring that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential. As an accomplished academic scholar, Dr. Berg has contributed significantly to the field of education through her research and publications. Her expertise and insights have been recognized through numerous grants, which she has successfully secured to support innovative projects and initiatives to provide resources and support to underserved populations, thus enhancing educational outcomes and promoting equity.