The Southern Indiana Education Center is hosting an exciting day to support all who lead and instruct Multilingual Learners (MLs). We have designed a day of professional learning that includes the following topics:

• Family & Community Engagement
• Bridging Cultures
• IDOE: EL/ME Updates and Intersection of Services
• EL TOR Support: Experiences and Questions
• Administrator Perspectives: SW Dubois and Washington
• EL TOR PLN Kickoff
• Newcomers
• IDOE: ELs with Special Needs

In addition, we have two fantastic keynote speakers prepared to share their expertise and provide guidance. Luciana de Oliveira will present the morning keynote address and a follow-up breakout session focused on the implementation of the WIDA 2020 ELD Standards, especially the Big Idea of "a functional approach to language development" in the content areas. Astrid Emily Francis will share a mid-day keynote address and a follow-up breakout session focused on honoring authenticity and shifting statistics to stories.

Plan now to attend this special event on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST) at the Huntingburg Event Center. The agenda for the day will be shared in August along with session descriptions for your convenience. During the conference, a catered lunch will be provided as well as PGP certificates for all. Plus, stick around until the end of the day for door prize giveaways. See below for more details!

Dr. Luciana C. de Oliveira (Ph.D.) is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies in the School of Education and Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research focuses on issues related to teaching multilingual learners at the elementary and secondary levels, including the role of language in learning the content areas. Dr. de Oliveira has authored or edited 30 books and has over 200 publications in various outlets. Her most recent book Supporting Multilingual Learners’ Academic Language Development: A Language-Based Approach to Content Instruction (LACI) (Routledge, 2023) provides teachers with a ready-to-use framework of six scaffolding elements that serves as a guide to enable multilingual learners to meet grade-level standards without simplification. She has over 30 years of teaching experience in the field of TESOL. She served in the presidential line (2017-2020), served as President in 2018-2019, and was a member of the Board of Directors (2013-2016) of TESOL International Association. She was the very first Latina to serve as President of TESOL.

Astrid Emily Francis is a nationally recognized English as a Second Language teacher at Concord High School in Concord, North Carolina. She serves students at various English proficiency levels. Emily is originally from Guatemala and her experience as an English Language Learner inspired her to become an ESL teacher. This affords her a deep understanding of the challenges her students must overcome to succeed. Emily earned a BA in Spanish and a MAT in ESL from UNC-Charlotte. She serves as a professional development facilitator, motivational and keynote speaker. Emily is part of UNC-Charlotte College of Education’s Advisory Board. Emily served as teacher liaison to the Cabarrus County Board of Education as a district Teacher of the Year in 2016. Emily is the author of "If You Only Knew: Letters from an Immigrant Teacher." As a leader, Emily’s focus is to inspire students to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.

Email: agonnerm@siec.k12.in.us
Location: 1102 Tree Lane Drive, Jasper, IN 47546
Phone: 812-482-6641