WABE 2025 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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1:45pm PDT

Amplifying Student Voices: Supporting Language, Culture, and Equity through Technology and Advocacy

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

Empowering student voice: This hands-on session explores raising awareness of indigenous languages and cultures, supporting multilingual learners, and leveraging technology to amplify diverse voices (through QR codes, screen recordings, creating websites). Learn practical strategies, share successes, and create your own tools to foster culturally responsive school environments.

Speakers

Beth Jimerson

Multilingual Learner Specialist, Burlington-Edison

Arie Werder

Middle school and High school CTE, Burlington-Edison School District

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Evergreen C (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience ML Specialists, Teachers
Academic Range K-12

1:45pm PDT

Characteristics of Successful Dual Language Bilingual Education Programming

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

Evergreen B (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

This interactive session will provide an overview of DLBE programming essentials, as aligned with the Guiding Principles of Dual Language Education, 2018, in order to:
– Develop an understanding of the non-negotiable components of successful DLBE programs
– Understand the research behind effective DLBE programs
-- Engage in discussions around equity-systems and the support needed for program realization and sustainability.

Speakers

Loretta Booker

Project Coordinator, Dual Language Education of New Mexico

Loretta Booker has been a Project Coordinator with Dual Language Education of New Mexico, working with CLAVES® and Dual Language Bilingual Education (DLBE) Program Development since 2023. Before that time, she served within the Santa Fe Public School District for 18 years as a... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Evergreen B (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Teachers, Administrators, Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Academic Range K-12

1:45pm PDT

MTSS and Multilingual Learners; A Systemic Approach to Equitable Support

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

Regency A-D, (2nd Floor, Cascade Tower)

Do your school systems work to support the specific needs of multilingual learners? This session will focus on systemic practices and structures that address linguistic equity, build practitioner knowledge around multilingual learner needs, and integrate authentic assessment and progress monitoring within a multi-tiered system of support.

Speakers

Jennifer Johnson

Senior Consultant, Multilingual Learners, Education Northwest

Jennifer’s professional passion is in creating educational access and promoting authentic student identity and agency in education. Her career includes 23 years of experience serving in public education as a dual language teacher, bilingual instructional coach, building principal... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Regency A-D, (2nd Floor, Cascade Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Administrators, District Administrators, Coaches
Academic Range K-12

1:45pm PDT

Sponsored Session - Fueling Linguistic Brilliance: GLAD Strategies to Ignite Multilingual Learners’ Voices

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT

Evergreen E (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

In this interactive session, educators will explore powerful GLAD strategies that ignite multilingual learners’ linguistic brilliance and amplify their academic voice. Participants will engage in strategy demonstrations to see how structured supports foster language development. Through collaborative discussions and practical modeling, they will gain tools to create a classroom environment where all students confidently use and expand their linguistic power. Educators will leave with ready-to-use strategies and a renewed perspective on leveraging students' multilingual assets for academic success.

Speakers

Tabitha Aragon

Be GLAD Certified Agency Trainer, Be GLAD

Jennifer Chaves

Be GLAD Certified Agency Trainer, Be GLAD

Friday May 2, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Evergreen E (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

3:00pm PDT

Developing an Action Plan for Serving Multilingual Learners Effectively

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Evergreen G/H (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Ignite your school to support multilingual learners effectively by developing an action plan! In this session, we will unpack Washington’s Multilingual Learner Statewide Strategic Plan and Toolkit to promote asset-based mindsets, strengthen instructional practices, provide support for educators, and engage multilingual students and families. Explore using WIDA ACCESS data, surveys, and reflection to build students’ success!

Speakers

Virginia Morales

Assistant Director - Multilingual Education, Washington Office Of Superintendent Of Public Instruction

Virginia Morales is the Assistant Director of Multilingual Education at OSPI. Virginia has over 20 years of experience working with multilingual learners as an educator in California, Wisconsin, and Washington. Previously, Virginia was a Professional Learning Specialist with WIDA... Read More →

Kristin Percy Calaff

WABE OSPI Ex-Officio Member, OSPI

Dr. Kristin Percy Calaff is the Executive Director of Multilingual & Migrant Education for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has over 30 years of experience as a dual language teacher, principal, district administrator, adjunct professor, and state... Read More →

kadriye El-Atwani

Multilingual Program Supervisor-OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Evergreen G/H (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Teachers, Administrators
Academic Range K-12

3:00pm PDT

English Learners for a Transformed World (2nd Edition): A Guide for Collaborative Professional Learning

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Evergreen F (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Our interactive, co-presented workshop offers the participants an opportunity to co-create pathways and tools that serve to ignite learners' linguistic power. Anchored to the new edition of the Collier & Thomas book, Educating English Learners for a Transformed World, we share applicable ways to grow collaboration practices in DLBE settings.

Speakers

Michael Rodriguez

Executive Director, Dual Language Education of New Mexico

Michael Rodríguez is the Executive Director of Dual Language Education of NM (DLeNM). For six years, he served as the organization's director of operations, heading up and expanding its Program Design and Leadership Development offerings while supporting schools, districts, and state... Read More →

Dr. Joan Lachance

UNC Charlotte

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Evergreen F (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Dual Language Teachers, Coaches, Administrators
Academic Range K-12

3:00pm PDT

Examining Key Language Uses in Bilingual Writing

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Evergreen A (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

In this session Strategies: Attendees will develop effective teaching strategies to support bilingual students in mastering writing skills in both languages.
Description: In this webinar, we will delve into the Key Language Uses in writing for both Spanish and English. Participants will engage in an in-depth analysis of bilingual writing examples and mentor texts, using the lens of the Key Language Uses and los usos clave del lenguaje del Marco DALE. This session aims to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to teach and support bilingual students in their writing endeavors effectively.

Speakers

Maya A. Martinez-Hart

Assistant Director of Standards, ELRP, WIDA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

I am a bilingual educator with a background in early childhood and K-12 education.

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Evergreen A (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Bilingual Educators
Academic Range K-12

3:00pm PDT

Intentional Mentoring: Shifting the culture of how multilingual teachers are trained, supported and valued

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Evergreen I (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

This session will explore strategies for comprehensive and intentional mentoring. Mentoring as collaboration amplifies the voices, experiences and linguistic superpowers of multilingual educators. This session will include hands on exploration of equity focused mentoring frameworks across all stages of professional growth to promote retention and healthy learning-based relationships.

Speakers

Richard Dunn

Partnership and Field Experiences Coordinator, Western Washington University, Renton

Richard Dunn, M.Ed., NBCT, teaches and is a Partnership and Field Experience Coordinator at the Western Washington University Woodring Multilingual Teaching Fellowship Program. He taught for 26 years in the Highline School District. He has supported early career teachers as a Peer... Read More →

Christie McLean

Woodring Bilingual Teaching Fellows Partnership and Field Experience Coordinator, Western Washington University

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Evergreen I (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Multilingual Teachers, Pre-service teachers, MLE Coaches, Administrators, Teacher Certification Providers
Academic Range K-12

3:00pm PDT

Special Education Pre-Referral Process for Multilingual Learners

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Regency A-D, (2nd Floor, Cascade Tower)

In this session, we will engage in decolonizing practices rooted in the active interruption of systems that have been harmful to students. We will share our district's current work along with recommendations on a pre-referral process for multilingual learners. The session includes a recommended process, information to gather, and suggested training for pre-referral/MTSS teams.

Speakers

Julián Cortés

Director, Lake Washington School District

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Regency A-D, (2nd Floor, Cascade Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Teachers, MTSS Staff, Administrators, ML Program Staff
Academic Range K-12

3:00pm PDT

Sponsored Session - Right From the Start: Oracy, Writing, and Knowledge Building for Multilingual Learner Success

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Cedar Ballroom (2nd Floor, Olympic Tower)

This session explores the powerful connection between oracy, writing, and knowledge building in fostering the academic success of multilingual learners. Learn how to create classroom environments where students confidently articulate their ideas, engage in purposeful discussions, and transform their thoughts into well-structured writing.
Participants will leave equipped with practical approaches and plans to empower multilingual learners through cohesive and effective instruction.

Speakers

Amelia Larson

Chief Academic Officer, SUMMIT K-13

I currently serve as the Chief Academic Officer at Summit K-12. I am a dedicated educator with a reputation for promoting equitable outcomes and instigating transformative change within the K-12 education sector. Throughout my career, I have been unwavering in my commitment to translating... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Cedar Ballroom (2nd Floor, Olympic Tower)

3:00pm PDT

Sponsored Session - Unlocking Potential: Tailored Strategies for Newcomers and Long-Term English Learners

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Evergreen B (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Supporting both Newcomers and Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) requires targeted strategies that address their unique language and academic needs. This session will explore research-based approaches to accelerate language acquisition, build academic confidence, and foster meaningful engagement. Participants will gain practical tools for scaffolding instruction, leveraging students’ cultural and linguistic assets, and creating an inclusive, language-rich environment that promotes success for all English learners.

Speakers

Dr. Jeannette (Gina) Long

Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials

Dr. Jeannette (Gina) Long has been in education for 29 years holding roles as teacher, school administrator, and district administrator. She is currently an Academic Officer for Teacher Created Materials. Drawing from her background as an English language learner and Multilingual... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Evergreen B (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

4:15pm PDT

How one school united to ignite students’ linguistic power: Every teacher a language teacher

Friday May 2, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Evergreen F (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Join a principal, program director, language specialist, and ESD consultant to see how one school shaped ELD services by supporting classroom teachers to confidently take the instructional lead for language development. Leave with insight and resources to design your ELD system, leaning on informed decisions, professional learning, and ongoing collaboration.

Speakers

Dr. Jennifer Cowgill

Director of Multilingual Learning, ESD 123

Janae Bell

ELA Teacher, Finley Elementary School

Pam Kinne

Principal, Finley School District

I'm completing my 16th year as a principal and 30th in education.I started my teaching career in Grandview School District. I taught 3 years at the high school and 11 years at the middle school. My principalship has all been in Finley School District at Finley Elementary.

Amy McLaughlin

Programs Director, Finley School District - Kennewick, WA

Friday May 2, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Evergreen F (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience District and School Leadership, EL Specialists, Teachers
Academic Range K-12

4:15pm PDT

Translanguaging in Action: Strategies for Biliteracy and Beyond

Friday May 2, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Regency E-G (2nd Floor, Cascade Tower)

In this engaging session, we’ll dive into the power of translanguaging as both a language practice and a pedagogy. Participants will explore its role in fostering biliteracy development through a framework that includes "Stance, Design, and Shift". You'll leave with practical strategies to enhance multilingual learners' ability to seamlessly navigate and thrive in both languages, empowering them to build on their linguistic strengths and achieve more profound, meaningful literacy. Whether new to translanguaging or looking to refine your approach, this session offers tools and insights to boost biliteracy and enrich classroom experiences.

Speakers

Yvonne Williams

Director of Multilingual Learner Educator Engagement, Wisconsin Center for Education Products and Services WCEPS

Yvonne Williams, Vice President of Educator Engagement at WCEPS, leads initiatives to empower educators and foster collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEAs). With over 29 years of experience, she oversees a team of 35 coaches supporting schools nationwide in implementing... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Regency E-G (2nd Floor, Cascade Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Teachers
Academic Range K-12