Talk, Read, Talk, Write (TRTW) is a practical approach to classroom instruction that helps students meet and exceed the state standards for learning in the core classes while also developing the literacy skills needed for success in the 21st century. Experience the routine as a learner and leave with a planning resource that can be used right away.
Dr. Carol Salva is a Lead Seidlitz Education consultant and the co-author of Boosting Achievement: Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education 2nd Ed and DIYpd: A Guide to Self-Directed Learning for Teachers of Multilingual Learners. In addition to her ESL certification... Read More →
Explore strategies and structures designed to provide a soft landing to recently-arrived students and their families. Review intake process through the first 30-90 days of school. Engage with tools that reduce the language barrier and accelerate the sense of belonging and attachment to their new community.
Learn to shift data meetings from identifying struggling students to strengthening core instruction for all learners. Using the SERVE framework and Tier 1 Data Review Protocol, practice analyzing student work for misconceptions and connecting insights to instructional adjustments. Gain actionable strategies to implement weekly data cycles that improve whole-class teaching.
Struggling to support newcomers in your secondary content? Explore how you can integrate practical tools to support language development alongside rigorous grade-level content standards. Learn how a Secondary Biology course evolved it into a language-rich environment for all learners.
Help students practice their speaking in a low(er) stress way through Speaking Journals. Speaking Journals are a practical and engaging speaking activity that allow individual students to practice a variety of different speaking skills at their level with equal participation across a class. Explore a variety of different types of prompts, reflection strategies and feedback that help students improve their speaking skills over time.
This newcomer education collaborative session will explore shifting demographics, experience a refugee journey simulation and gain hands‑on, asset‑based strategies, including math, to build inclusive school communities. Gain impactful lesson plans with next day application.
We all know when a student is struggling with language, but do we know how to unlock the brilliance hidden behind the barrier? Move beyond the "label" and into the "lesson" as we shift our lens from English deficiency to multilingual proficiency. Gain a practical tool kit of scaffolding strategies, translanguaging techniques and the confidence to turn every classroom into a sanctuary for diverse thinkers. Don't just watch them navigate the language--give them the map to master it.
Learn the legal requirements for meeting the needs of MLs who have an identified disability. Examine the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) alongside instructional planning considerations from WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework. Explore specific considerations for instruction that support both language development and accessibility.
Lori Hanna has over 20 years of experience in the field of education in both the private and public school systems in Missouri. Teaching in the elementary classroom setting and then as an English language development specialist in grades K-12 has given Lori an understanding of the... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 1:05pm - 1:55pm CDT RM 217209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301
Explore practical, equitable grading approaches that support MLs across all grade levels and content areas. Explore the purpose behind grading, the role of student resilience, the M.A.P. strategy, effective accommodations and the power of meaningful feedback. Educators and administrators will gain tools to help every learner show what they truly know.
As the DESE English Language Development and World Languages Director, I organize and conduct high-quality professional development and aid districts in developing and implementing effective ELD programs. I utilize my 20+ years of experience as a former ELD instructor/coordinator... Read More →
Explore an engaging, culturally affirming curriculum that helps MLs develop their English literacy skills by writing their own immigration stories. Examine instructional strategies that honor students’ lived experiences while building academic vocabulary, narrative structure and language proficiency. Discover practical lesson sequences, scaffolds for diverse proficiency levels and examples of student-centered activities that encourage expressive, meaningful writing. Gain ready-to-use tools, prompts and frameworks to create a safe and supportive environment where students can share their journeys, strengthen their writing skills and see their identities reflected in the classroom.
How do effective program leaders adapt when everything shifts: policies, personnel, budgets or student needs? Explore a grounded and practical approach to leading ELD programs during times of uncertainty, transition or disruption. Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to sustain a well-established initiative, learn research-backed strategies to lead with clarity, resilience and impact. Gain actionable tools and a renewed sense of purpose to guide your teams and programs forward.
Have you ever suspected an ML may have a learning disability, but do not know where to go next? Does your team have a clear process in place to guide teams? Learn about critical data pieces that must be considered for MLs. Once the data is collected and organized, the team will have a clear picture on next steps. Using this method will help answer the question: language acquisition or language disability?
When and how do we measure reading for MLs? Learn to use diagnostic tools like phonics screeners, maze, ORF and spelling, plus family interviews to catch literacy problems in grades 4-12. Practice administering these tools and analyze data to distinguish language gaps from foundational needs.
Meeting the healthcare needs of MLs in school often requires cooperation between school nurses and ELD teachers. These partnerships can enhance the awareness of the ways culture impacts our view of health and healthcare. Explore best practices for addressing the unique social, emotional and physiological challenges presented by MLs and their families
Explore how service-learning extends and elevates ML learning beyond the classroom through authentic tasks that build language and confidence. Explore examples such as mini projects, community partnerships and virtual exchanges. Attendees leave with a project planning template.
