Highest Aspirations

Igniting real change for English learners with Carly Spina

This episode of Highest Aspirations features Carly Spina, an author and passionate advocate for English learners, as she shares her inspiring journey and groundbreaking work.Join us to hear how Carly's upbringing profoundly shaped her deep commitment to ELs, tracing her path from early experiences on Chicago's North Side to becoming a leading voice in education. We'll delve into her impactful work at the Illinois Resource Center, where she dedicates herself to supporting educators in creating more equitable and effective learning environments for these students. Discover the core philosophy behind her first acclaimed book, Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners, and get an exclusive sneak peek into her new book, Igniting Real Change for Multilingual Learners. This latest work aims to spark even more profound and urgent action within the field. This powerful episode offers a vital call to action for anyone committed to championing all students.Key questions we address:What is the deeper, systemic responsibility of educators beyond compliance when serving English learners, and how can we "do right" by them and their families? What instructional strategies and philosophical shifts are necessary for content-area teachers to effectively serve and include newcomer English learners in mainstream classrooms? How can school systems and educators move beyond inherited or problematic practices to genuinely "ignite real change" for English learners, fostering their growth and ensuring their equitable access to advanced opportunities? For additional episode and community resources:Download the transcript here.Learn more about the Illinois Resource Center.Purchase Carly Spina’s first book Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners.Pre-order Carly Spina’s new book Igniting Real Change for Multilingual Learners.For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog.

Celebrating the teaching profession with Alaina Peterson, Sarah Nandi, and Thomas Hekma

This episode of Highest Aspirations features Sarah Nandi, Alaina Peterson, and Thomas Hekma—former educators who now work at Ellevation—sharing how their classroom experiences shape the way they support educators across the country.Tune in to hear how their journeys from teaching multilingual learners to working in edtech help them build tools and resources that are relevant, empathetic, and grounded in real classroom needs. Learn how they stay connected to what matters most for teachers and students, and how their roles at Ellevation allow them to amplify the impact they once made in a single school or district.For additional episode and community resources:Download the transcript here.For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog.

Colorado's investment in bilingualism with Alice Collins and Dr. Ester de Jong

This episode of Highest Aspirations welcomes Alice Collins from the Colorado Department of Education and Dr. Esther De Jong from the University of Colorado Denver to explore the dynamic landscape of bilingual education in the state. Discover the innovative programs designed to support Colorado's growing number of multilingual learners and the crucial initiatives aimed at building a strong pipeline of qualified bilingual educators.Tune in to gain insights into the collaborative efforts between the state and universities to equip teachers with the specialized skills needed to serve multilingual students effectively. Learn about the various courses and programs available that empower educators to create inclusive and successful learning environments for all students, fostering academic growth and linguistic development.Key questions we address:What types of bilingual education programs are available for Colorado's multilingual learners?How does the University of Colorado Denver support the training and development of teachers for multilingual students?What are the key strategies discussed for supporting and retaining qualified teachers of multilingual learners in Colorado?For additional episode and community resources:Download the transcript here.Newcomer resources course - Free 1-hour webinarOnline, self-directed newcomer course with deep dives (ideal for Professional Learning Communities)Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your HumanityDiscover, Connect, RespondFinding Me: A MemoirT-PREP: The Partnership for Rural Educator Preparation at University of Colorado Denver Learn more about the Ellevation Scholarship and how to apply. For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog.Alice Collins is an ELD Senior Consultant with the Colorado Department of Education serving the state of Colorado in the office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. She partners with districts across the state to ensure quality language programming for the Multilingual Learners. Alice has many years of experience serving MLs, some of those roles include, teacher, CLDE Specialist, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, and CLDE Director. She has received multiple Teacher of the Year awards as well as CLDE Director of the Year. Alice is dedicated to providing every opportunity possible for ML students to succeed in education.Dr. Ester de Jong is a Professor in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education and Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Advanced programs at the University of Colorado Denver.  Her research interests include two-way bilingual education and other integrated models for language minority schooling, educational language policy, and teacher preparation for bilingual students.  Prior to UC Denver, she was the Director of the School of Teaching and Learning and Professor in ESOL/Bilingual Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She has been in the field of ESL/bilingual education for over thirty years, as a practitioner and a researcher. Her research focuses on preparing teachers to work with bilingual learners in K-12 schools, and integrated approaches to the schooling of bilingual learners, including two-way bilingual education. Her book, “Foundations of Multilingualism in Education” lays out a principles-based approach to educational equity for bilingual learners.  Dr. de Jong was President of TESOL International Association (2017-2018). She is the co-editor of the Handbook of Research on Dual Language Bilingual Education (Routledge, 2023) and co-Editor of the Bilingual Research Journal.

Connecting with students from hard places with Elise White Diaz

Elise White Diaz, a passionate advocate for trauma-informed multilingual education, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss practical strategies for connecting with and supporting students who have experienced trauma or come from challenging backgrounds. Drawing on her extensive work in diverse settings, Elise emphasizes the power of understanding students' experiences and building trust as foundational elements for effective teaching.This episode explores the impact of trauma on learning and language acquisition, highlighting the importance of emotional attunement in the classroom. Elise introduces her "Discover, Connect, Respond" framework and the practical "Four S's" routine as actionable ways for educators to create safe and supportive environments. Learn how fostering secure connections and responding empathetically to student needs can unlock their potential and promote growth.Key questions we address:What are some key principles of trauma-informed practice that educators should understand when working with multilingual learners who may have experienced adversity? How does trauma impact a student's brain and their ability to acquire language and engage in learning, and what are some practical classroom strategies to address these challenges? Why is the concept of attachment theory particularly relevant when supporting multilingual learners with trauma histories, and how can educators foster secure connections in the classroom to promote healing and growth? For additional episode and community resources:Download the transcript here.Learn more about Elise and her work with Seidlitz here.Pre-order Elise’s upcoming book Discover, Connect, Respond. Dr. Dan Siegel’s video How our Relationships Shape Us.Order book by Jonathan Haidt The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.Learn more about the Ellevation Scholarship and how to apply. For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog.Elise White Diaz is well-versed in the challenges facing students from hard places. Her journey in trauma-informed education began in Honduras, where she dedicated herself to a school for child laborers in the city's garbage dump. Elise brought her global experience to a diverse district in North Texas. There, she integrated principles of culturally relevant, trauma-informed education with language acquisition strategies, driving substantial growth in student performance. As a consultant with Seidlitz Education, Elise travels nationwide to assist districts in fostering language development and cross-cultural connections. She is honored to keynote state conferences and is the author of the forthcoming book, Discover, Connect, Respond: A Practical Approach for Trauma-Informed Education.

Content instruction that welcomes multilingual learners with Valentina Gonzalez

Valentina Gonzalez, a passionate advocate for multilingual learners, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss her collaborative work on Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners and her solo project, Equitable Instruction for English Learners in the Content Area. With a focus on bridging content and language instruction, Valentina shares her experience working alongside renowned educators Drs. Fisher and Frey, highlighting the transformative power of co-authorship and her unique visual approach. This episode dives into the practical strategies and the foundational "why" behind her books, offering educators the tools to create more inclusive and equitable classrooms.Valentina explores key principles in her work, emphasizing culturally inclusive pedagogy, oracy development, and essential skills instruction. She underscores the importance of understanding and valuing the diverse backgrounds of students, going beyond surface-level vocabulary to address the deeper linguistic needs of multilingual learners. Through her insights, listeners discover how to foster collaborative learning environments and implement strategies that support both language acquisition and meaningful content engagement. This episode is an invaluable resource for educators seeking to transform their practices and create a welcoming classroom for all students.Key questions we address:How can educators apply the "Golden Circle" theory to design instruction that aligns with their core values and meaningfully supports multilingual learners?What are some practical strategies that content area teachers can use to create inclusive learning environments that address the linguistic and cultural needs of multilingual learners?In what ways can collaborative learning and book studies, such as co-authoring and book clubs, enhance professional development and improve teaching practices for educators working with multilingual learners?For additional episode and community resources:Download the transcript here.Valentina’s book with Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners!Valentina’s second book mentioned Equitable Instruction for English Learners in the Content AreasSimon Sinek’s book Start with WhySimon Sinek’s TEDTalkFor additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog Valentina Gonzalez is known for her passionate advocacy and dedication to multilingual learners. As a sought-after speaker and keynote presenter, she travels nationwide to inspire educators with the message that bilingualism is a gift. Valentina has remained steadfast in her commitment to promoting literacy, celebrating cultural diversity, and nurturing language development. Her mission to ensure high-quality education for multilingual learners is deeply personal, fueled by her own experiences as an immigrant and English learner.