ELevate 2025: Full Schedule

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9:00am CDT

"Translators" Watch Party: The Burden and Brilliance of Language Brokering

Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT

Watch the short documentary "Translators" and reflect on the powerful—though often unfair—roles many ML students take on as family interpreters. The film reveals the deep responsibility our MLs often carry and how, through navigating adult spaces, they develop leadership, advocacy and strengths that too often go unrecognized in schools. What does it mean for a child to translate the adult world, and how can we, as educators, recognize both the cost and the capacity in that experience?

Speakers

Rob Greenhaw

MELL Instructional Consultant, Education Plus

Rob serves EdPlus members by providing consultation to schools that are working to implement high-quality, comprehensive and collaborative educational programs for English Learners. Rob also conducts professional development workshops that focus on providing practical strategies to... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT
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Student & Family Support

Audience Content Teachers, EL Specialists

10:30am CDT

When Schools' Dedication to Newcomers Transcends Their Legal Obligation

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 1

Some school districts are finding ways to support older newcomers even when they have no legal obligation 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. On the other hand, another school district has reinstated barriers that cut a student's education short. What can we learn from these two contrasting approaches? Explore the critical gap between policy and practice to uncover strategies that ensure every newcomer has access to learning, regardless of age.

Speakers

Jo Napolitano

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
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Leadership & School Culture

12:30pm CDT

When Schools' Dedication to Newcomers Transcends Their Legal Obligation

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT

Room 1

Speakers

Jo Napolitano

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT
Room 1

Leadership & School Culture

1:30pm CDT

EL and Special Education: Navigating Dual Services

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

Room 1

Serving students who qualify for both EL and Special Education services requires thoughtful coordination and informed decision-making. Explore the intersection of these two programs, learn effective pre-referral strategies and gain tools for monitoring progress and supporting dually identified students. Examine best practices for exit criteria and procedures to ensure services remain responsive and appropriate.

Speakers

Stacey Kastner

EL Educator, Francis Howell R-III

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 1

Student & Family Support

Audience Content Teachers, EL Specialists

2:30pm CDT

Spanish Kickstarter Workshop

Wednesday June 4, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Room 1

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.

Speakers

Anne Turan

Consultant (former EL Coordinator, former Assistant Principal, former classroom teacher), Together Language

Teacher and leader in literacy and language acquisition (bilingual, Spanish immersion, ESL); founder of "Together, Language", offering workshops, team training, and an accelerator program to help schools achieve federal compliance and stronger school cultures for inclusivity and equity... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 1

Student & Family Support

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Together Language