ELevate 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am CDT

Supporting Multilingual Learners through a Multitiered System of Supports

Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT

Explore how educators can implement a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to meet the diverse needs of MLs. Learn how to integrate academic, behavioral and social-emotional supports within a tiered framework to promote language development and equitable learning opportunities. Explore effective strategies for core instruction (Tier 1), targeted interventions (Tier 2) and intensive supports (Tier 3), with a focus on culturally responsive practices and progress monitoring. Gain practical tools to enhance ML success in any educational setting.

Speakers

Genise Henry

Other, UT Austin Meadows Center

Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Leadership & School Culture

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company University of Texas at Austin - Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk

12:30pm CDT

Utilizing School-based PD Teams to Support MLs

Tuesday June 3, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT

Room 104

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.

Speakers

Heather LeCureux

TESOL facilitator, practicum supervisor, Missouri State University

The Show Me Multiliteracy project disseminates best practices to school teams and develops educators' capacity to support emerging multilingual students' literacy development in both English and their home languages.

Nikki Stockdell

Fort Zumwalt School District

Tuesday June 3, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Leadership & School Culture

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Missouri State University

1:30pm CDT

Understanding the Language of Identity and Access

Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

Room 104

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.

Speakers

Diana Hsu

EL Educator, Ladue

Jennifer Riesenmy

District Leader, Ladue

Tuesday June 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Ladue School District

2:30pm CDT

Influencers vs. Community: MLs and the Pull of the Digital Age

Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Room 104

Explore social media's impact on MLs. Inspired by The Anxious Generation, analyze excerpts and collaboratively develop support strategies. Gain practical strategies to support the well-being of MLs in this digital age. No prior reading needed.

Speakers

Erin Lawson

EducationPlus

Erin serves EdPlus member districts by developing tailored learning opportunities and professional development programs. Erin has 20 years of education experience in a variety of roles including 6th-grade teacher, district technology coach and Director of Professional and Program... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Student & Family Support

Audience Content Teachers, EL Specialists

9:00am CDT

A Comprehensive Approach to SPED Referrals for MLs

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

Room 104

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.

Speakers

Rhonda Hittenberger Ortiz

Instructional Coach, Missouri State University

Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Missouri State University Agency for Teaching, Leading, and Learning

10:30am CDT

Leading Effective and Equitable English Language Development (ELD) Instruction

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

Room 104

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.

Speakers

Dr. Laura Grayson

Literacy Consultant

Benchmark Education Company provides students and teachers with the resources they need to become problem-solvers, decision-makers and joyful learners. Our mission is for every student to find lifelong inspiration, growth and success through literacy, language and knowledge devel... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Benchmark Education Company

12:30pm CDT

A Comprehensive Approach to SPED Referrals for MLs

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

Room 104

Speakers

Rhonda Hittenberger Ortiz

Instructional Coach, Missouri State University

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Missouri State University Agency for Teaching, Leading, and Learning

1:30pm CDT

Empowering Multilingual Learners to Thrive in the School Setting - The Administrator's Role

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

Room 104

Venture into the role of the school administrator and learn how to empower your MLs to become successful students both at school and at home. Explore best practices and practical applications in this interactive session to provide stronger support for your students and their families.

Speakers

Ted Huff

EducationPlus

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Leadership & School Culture

Audience Content Teachers, EL Specialists

2:30pm CDT

Opening the Door to Young Multilingual Scientists

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

Room 104

Explore how important elementary science is in developing literacy, engagement and language for MLs. Discover how the Missouri Learning Standards and WIDA Key Language Uses work together to create multilingual scientists. Join the fun as we experience science in action!

Speakers

Julie Antill

MELL Instructional Specialist, SEMO RPDC

Wednesday June 4, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 104 Fort Zumwalt West High School

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience Content Teachers, EL Specialists