Collaboration, Counseling and Culture 

Suzanne Marsh, City of St. Charles School District 

Explore how to collaborate across counseling, social work and classroom settings to meet the needs of our MLs with high trauma. Explore research, and gain resources and strategies to help students feel safe and included in their new school. 

Strand: Student & Family Support 

A Comprehensive Approach to SPED Referrals for MLs 

Rhonda Hittenberger Ortiz, Missouri State University Agency for Teaching, Leading, and Learning 

When MLs struggle academically, it is difficult to decipher the root cause. Explore the stages of language acquisition, culture’s impact on how we teach and learn, DESE resources and ways to form a collaborative multidisciplinary team to ensure MLs’ unique needs are considered. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Culturally Responsive Class Discussions 

Karissa Sywulka Mitchell, Saint Louis University 

Let's talk about the unspoken rules of speaking. If you are discouraged by disproportionate participation in class discussions and wondering how to engage your culturally and linguistically diverse students, this session is for you. Explore scholarly research on classroom talk and cultural ground rules of communication. Paricipate in hands-on activities related to creating culturally responsive tools for launching and assessing class discussions. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Early Literacy Strategies for SLIFE and NewcomerStudents 

Lonni Long, Troy Middle School/Lincoln County R-iii School District 

Many of our newcomers and SLIFE students do not have literacy skills or they may be also lacking in their first language. This means that when they come to the U.S., they are unable to transfer reading skills to English. When we have these students, we have to start at ground zero with literacy instruction. Particularly with older students, this can be a challenge because materials and tasks are usually based around very young students. Learn how to adapt and adjust these activities for all students, including older ones. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

ELL Assessment: Formative to Summative 

Karuna Dwivedi, Riverview Gardens School District 

Explore effective assessment strategies for MLs, from daily formative checks to summative evaluations. Learn to scaffold assessments, analyze student data and use tools like WIDA Can Do Descriptors, Quizizz and Padlet. Gain strategies to track language growth and support ML success. 

Strand: Summative and Formative Assessment 

Empowering MLs through Easy Classroom Strategies 

Marissa Geyer, Discovery Education 

Explore engaging, multimodal resources available on the Discovery Education Experience platform, designed specifically to motivate and support multilingual language learners. Unlock practical, high-level strategies aimed at enhancing oral language development, fostering academic vocabulary growth and incorporating scaffolded writing opportunities. Discover intentional instructional techniques that empower educators to create a dynamic learning environment, ensuring every language learner thrives in their speaking, reading and writing. Don’t miss this chance to enrich your tool kit with effective strategies that make a difference. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Enhancing Tier 1 Instruction Through ML Data Insights 

Sonya Murray-Darden, EducationPlus 

Engage in a design sprint to explore how multilingual data analysis can drive stronger Tier 1 classroom instruction—beyond identifying students for interventions. Discover strategies that move educators beyond simply completing data templates and instead empower them to analyze language-rich insights that support MLs equitably. Learn how to structure and facilitate data meetings that ensure Tier 1 instruction is responsive, inclusive and designed to meet the diverse linguistic needs of all students. 

Strand: Summative and Formative Assessment 

Flip the Script 

Mary Hendricks-Harris, EducationPlus 

Struggling to engage with colleagues? This interactive session equips educators of MLs with practical strategies to build stronger relationships and navigate professional challenges. Through hands-on activities—like role-playing and group discussions—you’ll explore both proactive approaches to prevent pushback and reactive techniques to resolve conflicts effectively. Expect real talk, actionable insights and collaborative problem-solving that will enable you to engage in productive teamwork. Gain fresh strategies to create a more supportive and cooperative teaching environment! 

Strand: Leadership & School Culture 

How Long Should it Take for my ML Students to Learn English? 

Reah Morabith, Heart of Missouri RPDC 

Ever wonder how long it should take your MLs to become proficient in English? Focusing on second language acquisition, delve into the progression of language learning from initial exposure to proficiency. Through activities and interactive discussions, experience and deepen your understanding of the characteristics and challenges associated with each stage, as well as an awareness of strategies that effectively support MLs at various points along their language acquisition journey. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

How to Embed ML Communication Practices in Daily School Operations 

Anne Truran, Together Language 

More and more schools are feeling an increasing demand on multilingual family communication systems. Despite the best of intentions, families are often excluded from important information and school relationships, students miss out on critical services, and districts are left legally vulnerable due to gaps in multilingual communication systems and culture. Explore the most common myths and pitfalls schools encounter, as well as how to fix it. Addressing multilingual communication can lead to greater inclusivity, better well-being and academic outcomes for kids, and higher staff morale. 

Strand: Leadership & School Culture 

Leading Effective and Equitable English Language Development (ELD) Instruction 

Dr. Laura Grayson, Benchmark Education Company 

Discover the knowledge and tools needed to lead effective and equitable English Language Development (ELD) instruction for MLs of English. The information provided will be based on OELA’s 5 Evidence-Based Instructional Practices for English Learners. Through the examination of a model ELD lesson, practical approaches for differentiating instruction across various proficiency levels will be provided. Additionally, an equity-focused checklist will be shared to enhance the ability to observe and support ELD practices. School leaders will leave with actionable insights to ensure compliance while fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Nurturing Real Family Connections 

Daisy Skelly, Parkway School District 

Creating collaborative relationships with caregivers is essential for the success of all students. Family engagement goes beyond school walls and looks different for every family. By embracing and honoring the varied ways caregivers support literacy, teachers and administrators can create a positive school culture where students and families thrive. Come prepared to exchange dreams, ideas, thoughts and suggestions for building and maintaining caregiver relationships within our communities. 

Strand: Student & Family Support 

Preparing for the ACCESS Test All Year 

Daisy Skelly, Parkway School District 

Explore practical ways to prepare students for the annual ACCESS test throughout the school year, beginning with goal setting in August. Tips and tools will be shared for monitoring growth in all 4 domains. These could be used with individual students, small groups or even the whole class (if in a co-teaching environment). Many of the skills needed to take the ACCESS test are applicable to all tests and helping students feel confident in their test-taking abilities can boost proficiency scores. 

Strand: Summative and Formative Assessment 

Promoting Multiliteracy: Exploring Successful Projects and Funding Opportunities 

Heather LeCureux, Missouri State University 

Discover projects implemented by educators in Missouri that promote multiliteracy within their classrooms and schools, with the aim of developing their own goals in this area. Explore relevant examples with an opportunity to reflect on these practices and brainstorm ideas that could be effectively adapted to your own educational contexts. Potential funding sources to support the implementation of these initiatives will be shared. 

Strand: Student & Family Support 

Spanish Kickstarter Workshop 

Anne Truran, Together Language 

Prepare educators in all roles with practical Spanish that would be most relevant for building relationships with Spanish-speaking students and families in the school setting. 

Strand: Student & Family Support 

Streamlining EL Systems: Efficient Paperwork on a Budget 

Sheri Lawson, Hazelwood School District 

This session focuses on managing EL documentation efficiently. Learn about creating and maintaining ILPs, ELD consult forms, releveling processes and master caseload management. Tools for sharing data with schools and general education teachers will be introduced, ensuring streamlined communication and compliance. Gain a better understanding of EL paperwork systems and effective use of digital tools for sharing information. 

Strand: School & Community Resources 

Supporting MLs Supports All: Instructional Strategies in Science 

Heather Milo, Washington University / Institute for School Partnership (ISP) 

Science often feels like its own specialized language, so how do we support MLs to make sense of science while also learning English? Experience the instructional planning and strategies that support not only ML students, but ALL students! Although we will engage in a mySci K-8 lesson, the strategies experienced can be applied to any science instructional materials! 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Supporting the Mental Well-being of ML 

John Converse, EducationPlus 

Drawing from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) framework of the eight dimensions of well-being, delve into strategies and practices to support the holistic mental health of MLs and the staff who support the learners. 

Strand: Leadership & School Culture 

Teaching Science to MLs 

Keynote Speaker Isaac Marquez 

Discover practical strategies for teaching the language of science. Explore how targeted language-learning techniques can boost content mastery and academic language skills. Through structured conversations and meaningful vocabulary use, learn how to empower every student to succeed in the science classroom. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Teaching Social Studies to MLs 

Keynote Speaker Sally Barnes 

Explore innovative ways to make social studies accessible and meaningful for MLs at all proficiency levels. Through hands-on examples and interactive strategies, learn how to engage and support MLs while accelerating language acquisition and maximizing content mastery. Gain a bank of ideas to transform your social studies classroom into a content and language-rich environment.   

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Understanding the Language of Identity and Access 

Dr. Diana Hsu, Ladue School District 

Delve into key insights from Corwin’s new publication, Language of Identity, Language of Access. Explore the value of translanguaging over code-switching and examine the complexity of the English language, shaped by both Latin and Germanic roots. Discover the benefits of emphasizing function-driven language in the classroom and gain practical strategies to support students in developing their language skills at the word, sentence and discourse levels—empowering them to navigate the language of access with confidence. 

Strand: Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) 

Utilizing School-based PD Teams to Support MLs 

Heather LeCureux, Missouri State University 

Explore a school-based professional development program designed to promote dialogue and outcomes for MLs. The program starts with a self-assessment tool to help teachers evaluate their current practices, followed by ten self-paced modules. These modules focus on essential topics related to equity and best practices for supporting MLs. Review success stories from Missouri schools that have completed the program and receive access to the TEAMS USA course website, a downloadable workbook and a facilitator’s guide to support your learning experience. 

Strand: Leadership & School Culture 

When Schools' Dedication to Newcomers Transcends Their Legal Obligation 

Keynote Speaker Jo Napolitano 

Some schools are finding ways to support older newcomers— even when they aren’t legally required to do so. In California, where general education students over 17 have limited enrollment protections, the cash-strapped Oakland Unified School District has prioritized these learners. Meanwhile, another district—once in the spotlight for losing a lawsuit over denying enrollment—has reinstated barriers that can cut a student’s education short. What can we learn from these two contrasting approaches? Explore the critical gap between policy and practice and uncover strategies to ensure every newcomer has access to learning, regardless of age. 

Strand: Leadership & School Culture