ML Chat: Conversations with Multilingual Educators

Dr. Jennifer Lovellette shares how her district used student shadowing to better understand multilingual learners’ school experience. The process revealed that well-intentioned scaffolds often limited productive struggle and that students needed more opportunities for academic discourse. She also discusses how her district created a dedicated high school pathway for newcomer and SLIFE students, pr...

Drawing on teacher feedback and classroom observations, Dr. Lisa Auslander shares how her team continually refines curriculum and resources for newcomers and SLIFE students. She explains why supporting implementation is just as important as developing materials, using coaching, office hours, and professional learning to meet educators' needs. The goal is simple: give teachers the resources they ne...

Ndey Tida Kejera shares how growing up multilingual in Senegal and The Gambia shaped her belief that language, culture, and community are inseparable. Drawing from her experiences learning multiple languages and adapting to life in the United States, she explains why preserving home languages matters. She also shares practical ways educators can build on students’ existing knowledge and linguistic...

After struggling in school herself and entering education later in life, Dr. Carol Salva became passionate about helping multilingual learners recognize how smart they are. She shares how an asset-based mindset, intrinsic motivation, and “little wins” can build confidence and engagement, especially for SLIFE students. She also explains why relationships, relevance, autonomy, and competence are cri...

Carlene Thomas, an educational consultant supporting districts nationwide, shares how to move from intention to impact by simplifying implementation and aligning systems. She emphasizes that lasting change is “simple, not easy,” requiring clear expectations, follow-through, and time. Through reflection on practice and mindset, she highlights how educators and leaders can build consistent, effectiv...

Dr. Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa shares how to support neurodivergent, dually identified multilingual learners through empathy and research-based practices. She reframes diagnoses like autism and ADHD as tools for self-understanding, not limitations, and explores masking, emotional regulation, and inclusive practices like UDL and differentiation. She highlights the importance of authentic parent–teacher c...

Dr. Kate Seltzer, former South Bronx high school ELA teacher and co-author of The Translanguaging Classroom , introduces translanguaging as both a theory and practice. She explains how bilingual students use one integrated linguistic system, not separate languages, and how flexible language use creates affirming, equitable classrooms. Highlighting teacher mindset and relationships, you’ll learn ho...

In a district serving more than 156,000 students, including 30,000 multilingual learners speaking 162 languages, Daniel Yip, Michelle Hunsberger, and Dr. Luciana de Oliveira discuss shifting from a self-contained ELD model to shared responsibility for language development across content classrooms. They explain how a train-the-trainer model and a language-based instructional framework are helping...

Curious what it takes to lead a districtwide shift from a pullout program to an in-class, integrated ELD model? Kate Morin, Director of Multilingual Education for Mount Vernon School District, shares how long-term planning, trust-building, and consistent support made the transition possible, despite unique challenges at the secondary level. It’s thoughtful, strategic work that makes a true differe...

Drawing from her work in small, rural districts, Desiree Kiesel explores how relationship-building, asset-based approaches, and adaptability play a key role in multilingual learner success. You’ll hear how smaller districts can move quickly to implement new strategies, like speech and debate, to build student confidence and amplify student voice. See how innovation can start small and grow to make...

What happens when student talk takes center stage? On the ML Chat Podcast, educator and Stanford researcher Jeff Zwiers discusses how academic discourse, teaching big ideas with flexibility, and student-centered oral language routines drive deeper thinking and engagement for multilingual learners. It’s a refreshing reminder that creativity and meeting curriculum standards can go hand-in-hand.

President of Arkansas TESOL and Director of ESL, Christen Graham, shares how her district turned mission into action during a sudden influx of Afghan refugee students. She discusses building newcomer centers, engaging families through community partnerships, and equipping educators with practical strategies for immediate use. The conversation highlights how collaboration and understanding students...

Soledad and Vanina of Guilford County Schools join ML Chat to share how Pathway reading and writing strategies and the 3L’s Framework (Learning, Language, and Literacy) improve outcomes for multilingual learners. Their work coordinating PD, teacher onboarding, mentorship, and newcomer schools shows how collaboration and leadership create a cohesive districtwide approach that truly supports multili...

Today’s episode is like a pep talk from a friend! Author, speaker, and ELL specialist Andrea Bitner reminds educators to prioritize balance and self-care. Her newest book, When Niagara Falls , tells a story of resilience, a struggling student, and a teacher who never gives up. With over 24 years in education, Andrea offers insights on professional growth, supporting English learners with literacy...

As CEO of Kids Count and Read Too, Dr. Jobi Lawrence has spent 30 years advocating for English learners and at-risk students. In this ML Chat episode, she shares her journey from launching ESL programs in rural Iowa to shaping national multilingual education policy. She also highlights how collaboration and relationship-building can create a lasting impact for students and educators alike.  

With nearly four decades in education, Lynda Espinoza Idle is a passionate advocate for all multilingual learners—especially those with dual needs. Today on the ML Chat Podcast, she shares how collaboration, tiered support systems, data, and family partnerships can transform outcomes. She also explains why early identification matters. With an asset-based mindset, she inspires educators to see eve...

With 26 years of experience, Beverly Kerr joins the ML Chat Podcast to share how Title I schools, among others, can create equitable and inclusive ML classrooms. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships and addressing the needs of dually identified and trauma-affected learners. Discover how foundational literacy, structured interventions, and cross-department collaboration create sc...

You’ll be inspired by this week’s ML Chat guest, Valentina Gonzalez. Her journey began as an immigrant and language learner, and she is now a 25-year veteran in multilingual education and co-author of Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners . An advocate for ML students and language-rich classrooms, Valentina supports teachers through embedded coaching and practical strategies to honor students’...

How do you serve multilingual learners across a large district using current resources? In this episode of the ML Chat Podcast, Dr. Merica Clinkenbeard, Director of ELD for Springfield Public Schools, Missouri, shares how she leverages collaboration, teacher leadership, and language-rich instruction to drive systemic change. She also reflects on launching a Newcomer Academy to support students and...

Join the ML Chat conversation with Maggie Churchill, veteran ESL Language Arts teacher and adjunct at William Paterson University. She shares how consistent routines and flexibility create stability for multilingual learners—especially those facing trauma, post-COVID challenges, and disrupted education. Discover how project-based lessons, teacher collaboration, and professional networks fuel class...

Tune in to the ML Chat Podcast for practical strategies to create literacy-rich classrooms. Heather Benitez, ESL Coordinator and veteran teacher, shares how she fosters academic discourse and builds structured literacy routines across content areas. Serving a Texas district with 26 languages, Heather champions culturally responsive teaching, ongoing support for teachers, and inclusive practices th...

ELD coach and teacher Heather Nyseth brings a unique dual perspective to the ML Chat Podcast. She shares how coach-teacher relationship-building, professional development with teacher choice, and reflective practices have fueled growth across her district. Heather highlights the resilience of multilingual learners and how collaboration among educators fosters more effective, equitable learning env...

Join our esteemed panel of educators as they reflect on their mission to integrate the science of reading into ESL instruction. Dr. Jennifer Pendergrass-Bennefield, Dr. Tabatha Tierce, Dr. David Chiesa, and Assistant Superintendent John Parker discuss Georgia’s dyslexia law and how ESL, special education, and general education teams can work together to make research-based literacy accessible to a...

In today’s MLChat, Dr. Marlowe Cross and Jon Auld from Metro Nashville Public Schools share their experiences supporting teachers and multilingual learners as EL coaches. Discover practical strategies for integrating English language development into secondary content classes for accelerated student growth. Plus, explore how modeling, feedback, reflection, and effective data analysis can elevate t...