WABE 2025 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

1:45pm PDT

MTSS and Multilingual Learners; A Systemic Approach to Equitable Support

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

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

The Science of Hope: Building Resilient Learners in Multilingual Classrooms

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

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

Hope is a cognitive process with a powerful impact on learning. This session explores the neuroscience behind Hope Theory and neuroplasticity, highlighting their role in multilingual students’ resilience and motivation. Through research and discussion, participants will examine how belonging, goal-setting, and agency foster hopeful, empowered learning environments.

Speakers

Sophia Monge

Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning, Bethel School District

I serve as the Assistant Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning in Bethel School District, where I design professional learning opportunities aligned with our district’s Strategic Plan. My work focuses on supporting teacher development, enhancing student achievement, and fostering... Read More →

Missy Widmann

Co-Founder, President, Neural Education

We knock down the barriers of stress, bias and emotional reactivity with powerful, practical and proven neural-informed learning practices so that all students can learn.

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

Breakout Session

Audience Administrators, Teachers, Coaches, Para Educators
Academic Range PreK-20

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

Innovating for All Learners

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

Evergreen C (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Imagine a school that serves students in elementary, middle and high schools, provides only push-in MLE services, implements a collaborative teaching model, and where language development is embedded in curriculum taught in every classroom. Welcome to Kent Laboratory Academy, a decidedly different school in Kent School District that Innovates for All Learners.
Come to our session to learn about our journey and how we provide services to our multilingual learners through ongoing professional development, PLC work, innovative MTSS process and our partnership with University of Washington, Tacoma. Participants will take away ideas and resources on how to build capacity for providing MLE services within their own staff (and not just MLE educators).

Speakers

Narine Balayan

MLE Teacher, Kent Laboratory Academy / Kent School District

Narine Balayan, M.Ed., is a School Success Coach at Kent Laboratory Academy in the Kent School District. With a strong commitment to student achievement and well-being, Narine brings her expertise in education to support and empower students on their academic journey.

Stephanie Knipp

Principal, Kent School District/Kent Laboratory Academy

Stephanie Knipp is the Principal of Kent Laboratory Academy in the Kent School District. A dedicated educational leader, Stephanie is committed to fostering a supportive and innovative learning environment that promotes student growth and academic excellence.

Laura Phillips

Principal/ Assistant Principal, Kent Laboratory Academy / Kent School District

Laura Phillips is the Assistant Principal at Kent Laboratory Academy in the Kent School District. With a passion for student development and academic success, Laura plays a key role in cultivating a positive school culture and supporting both students and staff.

Darice Johnson

Kent School Distirct

Darice Johnson is the Executive Director of Learning Improvement for the Kent School District. With a focus on advancing instructional practices and student outcomes, Darice leads strategic initiatives to support continuous learning and educational excellence across the district... Read More →

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

Breakout Session

Audience Teachers, Para Educators, Coaches, Interventionists, District Administrators, Administrators
Academic Range Grade 3-12

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

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)

8:00am PDT

Planificación de Objectos Lingüísticos con el Marco DALE WIDA

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Evergreen I (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

En esta sesión, vamos a focalizarnos en la planificación de objetivos lingüísticos específicos usando el Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE) que le permiten a los estudiantes expandir su repertorio lingüístico y cultural y desarrollar un desarrollo metalingüístico de las diferencias y similitudes lingüísticas entre el español y el inglés.

Speakers

Dr. Patricia Venegas-Weber

Dual Language Program Supervisor, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Dr. Patricia Venega-Weber is a former ESL, Bilingual and Reading Specialist teacher with over 20 years of experience. She has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in Bilingual Education. She has also worked as an English/Spanish... Read More →

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Evergreen I (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

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

8:00am PDT

Welcoming Newcomers: Thriving in K-12 Schools

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Evergreen B (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Starting at a new school can be exciting and challenging, especially for newcomers adjusting to a new environment by fostering a sense of safety, belonging, and empowerment. This session is designed to support K-12 students as they navigate their academic and social journey, building meaningful connections and celebrating newcomers' unique identities. We’ll cover essential topics like understanding school expectations, accessing resources, building friendships, parent involvement, and embracing cultural diversity. This session will provide educators with instructional routines and resources to help newcomers feel safe, valued, connected to their school community.

Speakers

Maria Ceja

Director of Multilingual Education, Sunnyside School District

Maria Ceja serves as the Director of the Multilingual Department in the Sunnyside School District. With over 24 years of experience in education, she has dedicated her career to supporting multilingual learners in a variety of instructional settings. Maria taught for 20 years and... Read More →

MEGAN ANDERSON REILLY

TOSA, YAKIMA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Megan Anderson Reilly is a multilingual specialist and a mentor for early career educators for Yakima School District. Megan has extensive teaching experience working with multilingual learners in a variety of instructional contexts. She is an advocate for equitable practices, programs... Read More →

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Evergreen B (1st Floor, Olympic Tower)

Breakout Session

Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Para Educators
Academic Range K-12