ELevate 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am CDT

A Mastery-Based Approach to Supporting Newcomers

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

Newcomers are an incredibly diverse set of students who have a variety of characteristics, life goals and prior experiences with schooling. A mastery-based approach takes each individual student from where they are to where they need to be. Explore the detailed steps necessary to grow academically and linguistically within the zone of proximal development.

Speakers

Ryan Rumpf

Principal Consultant, Global Educators

Tuesday June 3, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT
Room 2

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Global Educators

10:30am CDT

Teaching Science to MLs

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 2

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.

Speakers

Isaac Marquez

Education Consultant, Seidlitz Education

Isaac Márquez is a consultant and content developer with Seidlitz Education with expertise in teaching emergent bilingual students. As a seasoned educator with a global background, Isaac offers a distinctive perspective shaped by his diverse experiences. As a bilingual instructional... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 2

Instructional Practices for English Learners

School/Company Seidlitz Education

12:30pm CDT

Empowering Newcomers: Yes, They Can! Boosting Engagement for Success

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

Room 2

Explore practical strategies, tools and resources to help newcomer MLs access content, engage meaningfully and thrive in the classroom. From scaffolding techniques and visual supports to technology tools and community connections, gain ready-to-use ideas that foster confidence and success for newcomers. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach or administrator, this session will equip you with actionable steps to ensure that all students feel empowered to learn.

Speakers

Angelica Mitchell

EL Educator, Ritenour

I've worked with multilingual students for the entirety of my teaching career. Now in my 26th year of teaching, I continue to learn and grow as a professional. My students have helped shape and equip me in beautiful ways. It is my honor and delight to serve this beautiful populat... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT
Room 2

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company International Welcome Center- Ritenour School District

1:30pm CDT

The Power of Video: Reaching Newcomers with AI-Generated Voiceovers

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

Room 2

Review a blended instructional routine using video and AI to reach newcomer students. Explore the tools and strategies necessary to provide access to grade level content to newcomers from many language backgrounds.

Speakers

Ryan Rumpf

Principal Consultant, Global Educators

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

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Global Educators

2:30pm CDT

From Idea to the Airwaves: Starting Your Own Podcast for ML Students & Families

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

Room 2

Podcasts are an innovative way to connect with MLs and their families, providing accessible content that informs, educates and builds community. Learn how to take a podcast from idea to launch, exploring simple tools and strategies to create engaging audio content. Discover how to plan, record and distribute a podcast tailored to your school community, ensuring linguistic and cultural inclusivity. No prior experience is needed, just a desire to amplify voices and strengthen connections through storytelling and technology. Please bring your own device to this session.

Speakers

Jonathon Lee

Educational Consultant, EducationPlus

Jonathon is a Google Certified Trainer currently working with EducationPlus as a member of both METC & the RPDC. Jonathon provides training all over the state on how to integrate technology tools into instruction. Jonathon has presented at METC, Innovation Institute of Springdale... Read More →

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

Student & Family Support

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company EducationPlus

9:00am CDT

Enhancing Tier 1 Instruction Through ML Data Insights

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

Room 2

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.

Speakers

Sonya Murray-Darden

MLDS Specialist, EducationPlus

Dr. Kristen Taylor

Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:00am - 10:20am CDT
Room 2

Summative and Formative Assessment

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company MLDS Specialist

10:30am CDT

Flip the Script

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

Room 2

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!

Speakers

Mary Hendricks-Harris

Leadership and Improvement Specialist, EducationPlus

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 2

Leadership & School Culture

Audience EL Specialists
School/Company Education Plus

12:30pm CDT

ML Assessment: Formative to Summative

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

Room 2

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.

Speakers

Karuna Dwivedi

ELL Specialist, Riverview Gardens School District

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:30pm - 1:20pm CDT
Room 2

Summative and Formative Assessment

Audience EL Specialists, Content Teachers
School/Company Riverview Gardens School District

1:30pm CDT

Early Literacy Strategies for SLIFE and Newcomer Students

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

Room 2

Many of our newcomers and SLIFE students do not have literacy skills or they may be 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.

Speakers

Lonni Long

EL Educator, Troy R-III

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

Instructional Practices for English Learners

Audience EL Specialists
School/Company Troy Middle School/Lincoln County R-iii School District

2:30pm CDT

Lead to Help All Succeed

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

Room 2

Learn how school leaders can foster a culture where all students—especially MLs—feel welcomed, valued and supported. Explore how relationship-building, student-centered leadership, and a deep understanding of family and community contexts can transform a school’s approach to MLs. Reflect on how your leadership practices can shape inclusive policies and daily decision-making that uplift every learner.

Speakers

Caroline Koetting

Margaret Karl

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

Leadership & School Culture

Audience Content Teachers, EL Specialists