Shows
Highest AspirationsCelebrating the teaching profession with Alaina Peterson, Sarah Nandi, and Thomas HekmaThis 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 d...
2025-05-2022 min
Highest AspirationsColorado's investment in bilingualism with Alice Collins and Dr. Ester de JongThis 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...
2025-05-0650 min
Highest AspirationsConnecting with students from hard places with Elise White DiazElise 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...
2025-04-2254 min
Highest AspirationsS14/E2: Leading for bilingual student success in Eagle Pass with Jaime GonzalezJaime Gonzalez, Bilingual Director at Eagle Pass ISD, joins Highest Aspirations to share how his district fosters success for emergent bilingual students and educators. Located on the Texas-Mexico border, Eagle Pass ISD leverages its unique bicultural and bilingual community to empower students and teachers alike. Jaime discusses grassroots initiatives like the district's bilingual certification academy, leadership development programs, and empathy-driven training strategies that help educators connect with and support their students.
In this episode, Jaime explores the importance of breaking down language barriers, building strong community ties, and focusing on progress over perfection. Through practical strategies and...
2025-01-2149 min
Highest AspirationsS14/E1: Understanding English learner needs through the Critical Data Process with Steve GillEnglish learners with special needs often face significant barriers to accessing appropriate support in schools, and accurate identification is critical to their success. Steve Gill, a seasoned educator, school psychologist, and consultant with over 15 years of experience, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss the Critical Data Process—a framework designed to guide teams in evaluating and supporting dually identified students. Drawing from his extensive work with thousands of educators and school districts across the U.S., Gill shares his journey from recognizing the gaps in his own training to developing a system that prioritizes context, collaboration, and equity.
2025-01-0756 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E10: Building Bridges for Newcomer Families with Amy King and Yvonne WilliamsNewcomer students bring diverse strengths and experiences to their schools but often face unique challenges in adjusting to a new country, culture, and educational system. Amy King and Yvonne Williams from WCEPS join Highest Aspirations to discuss how clear communication, culturally responsive practices, and meaningful family engagement can help schools support newcomer families effectively.
In this episode, King and Williams share actionable strategies for building partnerships with families, fostering inclusive environments, and addressing the diverse needs of students and families. From leveraging families’ strengths to shifting deficit-based perspectives, this conversation offers valuable insights for educators committed to cr...
2024-12-1955 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E9: Supporting newcomer students through acculturation with Dr. Marie HeathNewcomer students face unique challenges as they adjust to life in a new country, culture, and educational system. Dr. Marie Heath, an international educational consultant with over 30 years of experience, joins Highest Aspirations to share her expertise on acculturation and bicultural identity. Drawing from her own experience as the child of an immigrant and her doctoral research at Texas A&M Commerce, Dr. Heath discusses strategies for helping newcomer students build their bicultural identities while navigating the complexities of their new environment.
In this episode, Dr. Heath explores the importance of creating a welcoming space, building connections...
2024-12-1147 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E8: Personalizing professional learning with Rocío FigueroaIn this episode of Highest Aspirations, Sandra sits down with Rocío Figueroa, Senior Instructional Content Manager at Ellevation, to explore how personalized professional development can transform teaching and learning for English learners. Drawing from her diverse experiences as a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, and consultant, Rocío shares practical strategies for tailoring professional learning to meet the unique needs of educators across content areas and grade levels.
They discuss the power of data-driven approaches to PD, the value of leveraging internal expertise within schools, and the importance of building collaborative teacher communities. As a speaker at El...
2024-11-1936 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E7: Reflecting on the journey of IMPACT with Ben McNelly and Steve SofronasThe IMPACT Conference was born out of a desire to bring educators together during a time of unprecedented isolation and challenge. In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Ben McNelly and Steve Sofronas join us to reflect on the journey of the conference—from its inception during the height of the pandemic to its evolution into a dynamic virtual event that continues to serve educators nationwide.
They share insights into how the conference has grown to support English learners, the importance of fostering community among educators, and the ongoing commitment to making professional development accessible fo...
2024-11-1234 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E6: Understanding the Critical Data Process to support dually identified ELs with Cheyen HersethWelcome to Highest Aspirations, a podcast dedicated to empowering educators with insights and strategies to support multilingual learners in reaching their fullest potential. In this episode, we’re joined by Cheyen Herseth, an Elementary Multilingual Learning TOSA in Washington State and a WIDA Fellow, who has been instrumental in her district’s transition to the WIDA Framework.
Cheyen discusses her experiences leading this shift and how the WIDA Framework and Critical Data Process have reshaped her approach to supporting dually identified multilingual learners. She shares her perspective on navigating the complexities of implementing new frameworks while ensuring that...
2024-10-2942 min
Highest AspirationsS13 E5: Honoring heritage in the workplace with Yolanda Rios and Roxanne RodriguezWelcome to Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations. In this episode, we are joined by Yolanda Rios and Roxanne Rodriguez, leaders at Ellevation Education and co-leads of the SOMOS Employee Resource Group.
Yolanda and Roxanne share how their Latinx heritage has shaped their leadership styles and how they’ve used their cultural roots to foster a strong sense of community at Ellevation. We explore the importance of employee resource groups in creating spaces of belonging and how family values ca...
2024-10-1539 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E4: Embracing the power of Latino leadership with Dr. Juana BordasWelcome to Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Juana Bordas, author of The Power of Latino Leadership – Ahora! and Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age.
Dr. Bordas discusses the vital role family and cultural connections play in shaping leadership within the Latino community. We explore how preserving cultural identity can empower the next generation of leaders, and Dr. Bordas shares key insights on cultural pride, education, and intergenerational leadership.
As...
2024-10-0156 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E3: Building relationships to empower youth with Ernesto MejiaWelcome to Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations. We have a very special guest with us today, the co-founder of CoolSpeak, Ernesto Mejia. Mejia is the proud son of Mexican immigrants, and a true example of the American dream. Diagnosed with the rare disease of Guillain-Barré (ghee-yan bar-ray) Syndrome at the age of 16 that left him temporarily paralyzed, he was not supposed to be a successful student, much less a College Dean of Students. But through his hardships, Mejia learned to never give up o...
2024-09-171h 04
Highest AspirationsS13/E2: Engaging families in early education with Dr. Rebecca PalaciosWelcome to Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations. We have a very special guest with us today, Dr. Rebecca Palacios. This episode is dedicated to all of our educators who are in back-to-school mode and I could think of no one better to get us talking about parent engagement and early childhood education than Dr. Rebecca Palacios.
Dr. Palacios is a National Board Certified Teacher, and leading expert in early childhood education. With over five decades of experience, she is a pioneer i...
2024-09-0350 min
Highest AspirationsS13/E1: Navigating change in an ever-changing world with Steve Sofronas and Sandra Medrano-ArroyoWelcome back to Season 13 of Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations.
In this episode, Steve and Sandra will be sharing the mic as they talk about change, why it can be intimidating to some and motivating to others, and what’s next for both of us moving forward. They discuss what we can do to mitigate the emotions change can cause, how organizational culture impacts change management - or "change readiness", and how change can be used as a catalyst for personal and...
2024-08-271h 00
Highest AspirationsS12/E8: Leveraging family advocacy to close learning gaps with Sofía NúñezWelcome back to Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations. In this episode, our interview is conducted by Sandra Medrano-Arroya, Ellevation’s National Director of Multilingual Learner Success, who speaks with Sofía Núñez of Empower the Voice. They leverage their vast collective experience as multilingual learner professionals to provide valuable insights on:
Partnering with families of our English learners to close learning gaps in the classroom and creating more inclusive environments by bridging the language and culture gap
They also l...
2024-04-3050 min
Highest AspirationsS12/E7: Improving outcomes and long-term trajectories for Multilingual Learners with David NungarayWelcome back to Highest Aspirations, an education podcast focused on providing educators with inspiration and strategies to help multilingual learners achieve their highest aspirations. In this episode, we zoom out some to talk about what happens after multilingual learners and other students from marginalized communities leave K-12 schools and what we can do to ensure they are equipped to rewatch their highest aspirations.
Our guest David Nungaray and I talk about…
What the data says about economic and social mobility of students from historically marginalized communities
How we can help improve outcomes and lo...
2024-04-1639 min
Highest AspirationsS11/E1: Learn to discuss, discuss to learn with Dr. Mariana CastroWhat is the difference between all student talk and discussions? How can teachers plan for meaningful discussion opportunities for all students, particularly MLLs? What research-proven strategies are there for creating, maintaining and repairing community and relationships in the classroom?
We discuss these questions and more with Dr. Mariana Castro.
Dr. Mariana Castro is the Director of the Multilingual Learning Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also a lead curriculum designer and instructor for the Discussion Project. You can read Mariana’s full bio on our show notes and in the blog post feat...
2023-08-1550 minHighest AspirationsS10/E9: An overview of the history of ELs in education policy with Ellevation co-founder Teddy RiceWhat are some key rulings during the history of EL policy and their impact on education equity and access? What challenges are multilingual students currently facing in education and how have policies helped overcome or exacerbate them? How can we better advocate for ELs in policy and legislation?
We discuss this question and more with Ellevation co-founder, President, and in-house policy wonk, Teddy Rice.
In addition to being Ellevation’s President and co-founder, Rice also happens to be our in-house policy-wonk. One of his favorite parts of his job is to facilitate a session for new...
2023-05-0252 min
Highest AspirationsS10/E9: An overview of the history of ELs in education policy with Ellevation co-founder Teddy RiceWhat are some key rulings during the history of EL policy and their impact on education equity and access? What challenges are multilingual students currently facing in education and how have policies helped overcome or exacerbate them? How can we better advocate for ELs in policy and legislation? We discuss this question and more with Ellevation co-founder, President, and in-house policy wonk, Teddy Rice. In addition to being Ellevation’s President and co-founder, Rice also happens to be our in-house policy-wonk. One of his favorite parts of his job is to facilitate a session for new Ellevation employees he calls EL...
2023-05-0252 min
Highest AspirationsS9/E10: 2022 Learnings and 2023 Predictions with Sandra Medrano-ArroyoHow has family engagement evolved post-pandemic remote learning? Why has online professional learning had staying-power after schools reopened? What are some predictions for trends and changes in store for education in 2023?
We’re concluding Season 9 of Highest Aspirations by reflecting on what has been a year full of learning how to best serve our students. We’ll also get into some predictions for 2023.
Sandra Medrano Arroyo, my colleague at Ellevation, joins us today to discuss some of our learnings from 2022 as well as some predictions and hopes for 2023. Sandra is in a unique position to prov...
2022-12-1351 minHighest AspirationsS9/E9: Collaborative Support for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities with Dr. Sara KangasThis interview is episode 9 from Season 9 of Highest Aspirations, a podcast from Ellevation where we engage in important conversations about the most rapidly growing student demographic in the United States - English Language Learners.
What impacts have we seen on recent policy changes to reclassification or exiting of ELs with disabilities? How can schools prioritize collaboration and improve their current processes for determining reclassification for SPED ELs? What strategies can we use to ensure that these students are integrated into general education classrooms without compromising on learning in a supportive, language rich environment?
We discuss...
2022-11-2945 minHighest AspirationsS9/Bonus Episode: Meet Yerahm and Bryan, Two Recipients of the 2022 Ellevation ScholarshipThis interview is a bonus episode from Season 9 of Highest Aspirations, a podcast from Ellevation where we engage in important conversations about the most rapidly growing student demographic in the United States - English Language Learners.
We got a chance to speak with Bryan Fernandez and Yerahm Hong, two recipients of the 2022 Ellevation Scholarship. Both of these students were enrolled in an EL program at some point during their K-12 education, and are currently freshmen at USC and UPenn, respectively. On this episode, we will highlight some experiences they had throughout their educational journeys to get to...
2022-08-3023 minHighest AspirationsS9/Bonus Episode: Meet Yerahm and Bryan, Two Recipients of the 2022 Ellevation ScholarshipThis interview is a bonus episode from Season 9 of Highest Aspirations, a podcast from Ellevation where we engage in important conversations about the most rapidly growing student demographic in the United States - English Language Learners.We got a chance to speak with Bryan Fernandez and Yerahm Hong, two recipients of the 2022 Ellevation Scholarship. Both of these students were enrolled in an EL program at some point during their K-12 education, and are currently freshmen at USC and UPenn, respectively. On this episode, we will highlight some experiences they had throughout their educational journeys to get to this point...
2022-08-3023 minHighest AspirationsS9/E1: Crafting Content, Language, and Culture Learning Targets with Dr. José MedinaWhat are culture learning targets and why are they critical for creating non-oppressive learning environments? How can individual teachers lesson plan in a way that can disrupt the status quo of a monolingual centric approach to learning? How can educators support their multilingual learners in making cross-linguistic connections and fostering a practice of metalinguistic awareness?
Welcome back to Season 9 of the Highest Aspirations podcast, a show where we explore how we can help make an impact on our nation’s highest growing student demographic multilingual learners. Our first guest of the season is Dr. José Medina.
D...
2022-08-0950 min
Highest AspirationsBonus Episode: Meet 2021 Ellevation Scholarship Recipient Shreya RohatgiHow can relationship building and interpersonal connection play a vital role in English learners developing a love of reading? What can educators do to encourage students to move outside of their comfort zone at school, especially when it comes to reading academic content? How can providing students with leadership opportunities enhance learning and inspire students to think in new ways?
We discuss these questions and more with Shreya Rohatgi, a first-year college student at the University of Oklahoma who earned one of Ellevation’s scholarships last year. Shreya is a biochemistry major with a minor in psychology. Sh...
2022-04-1834 min
Highest AspirationsBonus Episode: Meet 2021 Ellevation Scholarship Recipient Shreya RohatgiHow can relationship building and interpersonal connection play a vital role in English learners developing a love of reading? What can educators do to encourage students to move outside of their comfort zone at school, especially when it comes to reading academic content? How can providing students with leadership opportunities enhance learning and inspire students to think in new ways?We discuss these questions and more with Shreya Rohatgi, a first-year college student at the University of Oklahoma who earned one of Ellevation’s scholarships last year. Shreya is a biochemistry major with a minor in psychology. She is al...
2022-04-1834 minHighest AspirationsS7/E17: High-Quality Dual Language Programs: Recipes for Success with Sandra Medrano-Arroyo (Part 2)How can we help colleagues, families and community members become advocates for dual language programs? What does it mean to truly embrace biliteracy? Why is embracing bilingualism good for all students?
We discuss these questions and more in part 2 of a 2 part series with Sandra Medrano-Arroyo.
Sandra Medrano-Arroyo presently works at Ellevation Education as the Dual Language Instructional Content Specialist, where she has spearheaded the creation of two new instructional practices specific to the needs of Dual Language programs. In over 23 years in education, she has served the needs of emergent bilinguals and various sub-groups i...
2021-11-2322 minHighest AspirationsS7/E15: How Multilingual Learners Can Excel in STEM Courses with Ellevation Scholarship Winner Jesse DingOn this special episode of Highest Aspirations, we're sitting down to speak with 2021 Ellevation Scholarship Winner Jesse Ding.
Jesse Ding graduated as the class valedictorian from Wilmington High School in Wilmington, Massachusetts. She is planning to study computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. In the future, she hopes to become a robotics software engineer and utilize her knowledge and expertise to program personalized assistive robots for those in need.
As you'll hear in the episode, Jesse is very dedicated to giving back to her community and using her strengths in STEM and robotics to find...
2021-11-2224 minHighest AspirationsS7/E16: Leveraging School, Family, and Community Partnerships for Student Success with Ellevation Scholarship Winner Sirenia GarciaOn this special episode of Highest Aspirations, we're sitting down to speak with 2021 Ellevation Scholarship Winner Sirenia Garcia from Deer Park ISD in Texas.
Sirenia was born and raised in Texas and plans on attending the University of St. Thomas in Houston in the fall, where she will be studying Music Education and minoring in psychology. She hopes to become a school counselor or school principal - we love to hear that!
As you'll hear in the episode, Sirenia is very open about the struggles she faced in school as a multilingual learner, as well...
2021-11-2227 minHighest AspirationsS7/E14: High-Quality Dual Language Programs: Recipes for Success with Sandra Medrano-Arroyo (Part 1)How might growing up as a multilingual learner shape the message that educators communicate to their EL students and families about home language and learning English? What are some of the most important sources of research on dual language programs and how can they help school leaders and educators shape valuable learning experiences for all students? What are the three pillars of dual language and what role does each of them play out in high-quality programs? What challenges do we face in addressing the shortage of bilingual educators and what are some possible solutions?
We discuss these...
2021-11-1630 minHighest AspirationsS7E12: Advice for Educators of Multilingual Learners with Ellevation Scholarship Winner Paola GutierrezIn this special episode of Highest Aspirations, we feature one of our 5 Ellevation scholarship winners, Paola Gutierrez. Paola recently graduated from Tahquitz High School in Hemet, CA. She is currently attending UCLA where she is studying Human Biology on a pre-med track. As an aspiring physician, she looks forward to caring for people in low-income communities in the future.
As you’ll hear in our conversation, Paola surfaces some of the challenges she has faced as a multilingual learner, but also many of the assets she and her fellow students bring to their schools and communities. She al...
2021-11-0242 minHighest AspirationsS6/E21: Season Finale - Looking Back and Moving Forward with Steve SofronasWelcome to our season wrap up episode - and what a season it was. We’ve released 49 episodes and covered so many topics since August of 2020 - definitely a record for the 3 and a half year history of Highest Aspirations. For our season finale, we thought we'd take some time to reflect on what we’ve learned through so many rich conversations with our incredible guests. We’ll also talk about some of our plans for the start of the new school year. In a bit of a role reversal, I handed the interview mic over to my colleague Haley...
2021-06-1543 minHighest AspirationsS6/E16: Beyond Cognates: Leveraging Multilingual Capital to Promote a Love of Languages with Dr. Sonia SolteroHow can we combat an “English-only” approach in education and what is the importance of calling out cross linguistic connections for English learners? What is “metabilingual awareness” and how does it inform how we understand and develop language? How should equity be considered, both for students enrolling in dual language programs and in the recruiting and retaining of multilingual educators? We discuss these questions and much more with Dr. Sonia Soltero.
Dr. Soltero is Professor and Chair of the Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum, and former Director of the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Graduate Program at DePaul University in Chica...
2021-05-1145 minHighest AspirationsS6/E15: Parent-Driven Programs and Empowering EL Families with Francisco Meza and Elba SolisWhat unique challenges and opportunities do parent-driven mentor programs pose for EL students and families? How can schools and districts create mission aligned programs that support ongoing goals while offering new opportunities? What existing district programs and community partnerships can schools tap into in order to create a more robust and sustainable parent outreach program? We discuss these questions and more with Francisco Meza and Elba Solis of Whittier Union High School District in Southern California.
With the help of other educators, parents and community members in their district, Francisco Meza and Elba Solis have created a...
2021-05-0438 minHighest AspirationsS6/E14: What English Learners Need To Thrive | A Policy Perspective with Rosario Quiroz VillarrealHow does “toxic stress” for students in the intersection of immigration and education manifest itself, and what are the long term effects it can have if not addressed? What are the most pressing concerns that educators have about their English learners as a result of the pandemic and what do they need to support them? How can educators, policy makers and community organizations contribute to an environment that allows English learners and their families to thrive in an academic setting? We dig into these questions and more with our guest, Rosario Quiroz Villarreal.
Rosario Quiroz Villarreal is a po...
2021-04-2750 minHighest AspirationsS6/E13: Data-Driven Instruction and Building Student Agency with Pam BurgreenWhat tools can we provide teachers to help make their instruction as efficient and effective as possible - particularly as we transition between remote, hybrid and in person settings? How can we give quality formative assessments in a virtual, hybrid and in person settings to gauge student progress, especially for ELs? What strategies for front-loading academic vocabulary and building opportunities for student agency will best support and engage our English learners? We discuss these topics and more with Ellevation’s own Pamela Burgreen.
Pam was a high school math teacher in New York City and Long Island fo...
2021-04-2042 minHighest AspirationsS6/E12: Understanding Lived Experiences and Trauma in the School Setting with Dr. Edith TreviñoWhat effects do we see on educators from the second-hand trauma that they experience in the classroom? How can teachers best support their students to share their lived experiences and how can teachers respond when they do? Are there ways that the responses to trauma that immigrant children face can inform our response to the trauma students and teachers experienced during the pandemic? We discuss these questions and more with Dr. Edith Treviño, known by her colleagues as Dr. ET.
Dr. ET served as a bilingual and ESL specialist for Region One in Edinburg TX for t...
2021-04-1334 minHighest AspirationsS6/E11: Adding Tools to EL Teachers' Toolboxes with Dr. Adrian JohnsonWhat data can be used to measure learning loss in English learners, and what long term impacts are most pressing? How is tech being used to accelerate learning for ELs and empower students to continue their learning outside of class? How can building out a robust STEM program motivate students to develop foundational skills? We discuss these questions and more with Dr. Adrian Johnson, Superintendent of Schools in Hearne ISD in Texas. Dr. Johnson is regular contributor to Ellevation’s ELL Community. He has appeared on the In This Together docuseries as well as other episodes of Highest Aspirations. Dr...
2021-04-0638 minHighest AspirationsS6/E09: Academic Language Instruction | Everyone is a Math Learner with Kristian LindseyHow can the challenges that teachers continue to face in remote classrooms lead to positive changes - particularly when it comes to facilitating discussions and practicing language? How can teachers set their English learners up for success, both with accessing academic vocabulary and creating lower-stakes entry points of participation for students? What tools, lessons and takeaways from this year will be key in informing instruction and addressing where students are when we are back in the classroom? We discuss these questions and much more in our conversation with Kristian Lindsey, a middle school math teacher and interventionist who works...
2021-03-2346 minHighest AspirationsS6/E07: Using Routines to Meet the Urgent Needs of Our Students with Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta: Part 2What strategies can educators use in remote environments to increase learning capacity and promote student agency? What similarities and differences can we draw between what a language rich classroom looks and sounds like in-person versus virtually? How can routines support teachers and students when we transition back to in-person settings and begin to address “unfinished learning”? We discuss these questions and more in part two of our two-part series with Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta, co-founders of Fostering Math Practices and authors of the book Routines for Reasoning.
We brought Grace and Amy back to Highest Aspirations to ta...
2021-03-0934 minHighest AspirationsS6/E06: Using Routines to Meet the Urgent Needs of Our Students with Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta: Part 1How can incorporating routines into remote learning reduce stress and uncertainty for students while also supporting language development and discourse? What are some strategies that provide English learners with opportunities to develop mathematical thinking in remote and hybrid learning environments? How has the unfinished learning caused by the pandemic shifted teachers’ mindsets, and what COVID Silver Linings have surfaced? We discuss these questions and more in part 1 of our 2 part series with Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta, co-founders of Fostering Math Practices and authors of the book Routines for Reasoning.
We brought Grace and Amy back to Hi...
2021-03-0327 minHighest AspirationsS6/E05: Promoting Bilingualism While Healing "La Herida Abierta" with Dr. Carolina LopezHow are educators reaching English Learners and bilingual students in a border district during a pandemic, both in addressing immediate needs for support and in looking ahead at the impact of learning loss on the future of instruction? What techniques can educators use to identify different types of bilingual learners and evaluate the effectiveness of their program and instruction? How might we transform the subtractive model of schooling that is rooted in generations of an “English only” mentality to celebrate bilingualism and encourage students to take pride in their native dialect? We discuss these questions and much more with Dr...
2021-02-2345 minHighest AspirationsS6/E04: Addressing EL Learning Loss - Why a Cookie Cutter Approach Won't WorkHow can districts, schools and educators identify and mitigate areas of Covid related learning loss among English learners? What is the role of professional learning in helping educators support English learners in content and language instruction as we trend toward more widespread in person learning? How can we be prepared to meet individual students where they are given the widespread disruption caused by the pandemic?
We discuss these questions and much more with Lynmara Colón. Lynn has been a frequent contributor to Highest Aspirations as well as the In This Together docuseries. She has led Prince W...
2021-02-1638 minHighest AspirationsS6/E03: Engaging English Learners in Math Instruction in a Year Like no Other with Steven MendozaWhat strategies can we use to help students overcome the significant challenges associated with learning in a remote environment? How can we implement tried and true strategies like sentence stems, anchors of support, choral reading and others to help strengthen English learners academic language skills? How might teachers use newly acquired skills to help strengthen EL instruction as we transition back to school?
We discuss these questions and more with Steven Mendoza. Steven teaches 7th grade mathematics at Burnet Middle School in Austin, Texas, where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2018. 70% of students at...
2021-02-1044 minHighest AspirationsS6/E02: Simple Tech Strategies Can Be Lifelines for English Learners, with Katie GardnerWhat can we learn from educators who have worked with English learners in hybrid learning models from the beginning of the pandemic? How can we use free built-in accessibility tools on devices to personalize learning for students? What are some simple strategies and tools we can implement to incorporate speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in both synchronous and asynchronous lessons? We discuss these questions and much more with Katie Gardner
Katie is an Elementary English as a Second Language Teacher in Salisbury, North Carolina. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator, PBS Digital Innovator, LEGO Master Educator...
2021-02-0242 minHighest AspirationsS6/E01: The Benefits of Teacher Driven Professional Learning with Betsy PeglerHow can we go about converting top down approaches to professional learning to more relevant and engaging teacher centered sessions? What is the EdCamp model and how can it help structure professional learning opportunities to support teachers working with diverse groups of learnings? How can establishing relationships with community organizations help schools better serve their students and staff? We discuss these questions and much more with Betsy Pegler, Administrator of Special Programs in the Rio School District in Southern California.
Pegler began teaching in 2007 in a neighboring district; one she had attended as a school-age child. She t...
2021-01-1945 minHighest AspirationsS5/E21: Encore Episode: Back to Basics Isn't Boring With Jana EchevarriaHow might a back to basics approach help EL educators ground themselves in practices that can provide the most impact for the students they serve? What are some of the pitfalls of constantly searching for "the next new thing" and how can we avoid them? How might we help bridge the gap between research and practice when vetting, implementing, and assessing educational tools and practices? We discuss these questions and much more with Dr. Jana Echevarria.
Jana is a Professor Emerita at California State University, Long Beach. She started out teaching in special education, bu...
2020-10-2046 minHighest AspirationsS5/E17: Lesson Planning to Promote Social Justice and Dismantle Systems of Oppression with Dr. José MedinaHow is lesson planning directly related to dismantling or supporting systems of oppression? Why is it so important to recognize that approaching education from a monolingual lens has not served many of our students and what can we do to change it? How does the C6 Biliteracy Instructional Framework help educators design learning opportunities that are culturally supportive rather than culturally destructive? We discuss these questions and much more in our conversation with Dr. José Medina.
Dr. José Medina is the founder and Chief Educational Advocate for Dr. José Medina: Educational Solutions. Prior to establishing the boutique con...
2020-10-0654 minHighest AspirationsS5/E12: Managing Implicit Bias in EL Education with Megan FuciarelliWhat is implicit bias and what does it mean for teachers of multilingual students? How can educators take steps to recognize their own implicit biases so they can better serve students? How can weaving cultural responsiveness into curriculum and pedagogy create more opportunities for communication and collaboration? We discuss these questions and much more with Megan Fuciarelli.
Megan Fuciarelli is a retired superintendent of schools with over 20 years of experience in the social justice realm. Now residing in Michigan, Fuciarelli has spent the bulk of her career in the Chicago area. As the Executive Director & Principal Consultant...
2020-09-0944 minHighest AspirationsS5/E11: The Power of Perseverance with Vicky Saldala of Broward County, FLWe catch up with ESOL Director Vicky Saldala to discuss Broward County's Parent University program, differentiating for the wide spectrum of English learners, leveraging staff diversity, and more.
This episode is part of our "In This Together" docuseries, where we follow the triumphs and challenges of a cross section of EL program directors as they strive to deliver equitable experiences for students this school year. You can find all episodes (video and audio) on our "In This Together" channel. You can also find free tools to help ensure your English learners and their families r...
2020-09-0835 minHighest AspirationsS5/E10: "All Hands on Deck" with Juan Corona and Maribel Taboada of Maywood, ILDirector of ELs Juan Corona and Assistant Superintendent Maribel Taboada discuss implementing remote communication strategies for students and families, providing teachers with real time data for their ELs, planning for differentiated instruction and more.
This episode is part of our "In This Together" docuseries, where we follow the triumphs and challenges of a cross section of EL program directors as they strive to deliver equitable experiences for students this school year. You can find all episodes (video and audio) on our "In This Together" channel. You can also find free tools to help ensure...
2020-09-0427 minHighest AspirationsS5/E09: "We Want to See Our Kids" with Lynmara Colón, Director of EL Programs and Services, Prince Willam County, VALynmara Colón provides an update on differentiation, thriving in a virtual environment, learning to love new teaching strategies and more. Prince William County Public Schools is the second largest district in Virginia and serves almost 92,000 students, 25% of whom are English learners. While most students will go back to remote learning, English learners and other vulnerable student populations will be given access to some in school learning opportunities.
This episode is part of our "In This Together" docuseries, where we follow the triumphs and challenges of a cross section of EL program directors as t...
2020-09-0230 minHighest AspirationsS5/E08: Setting and Tracking Goals for English Learners in a Remote Environment with Carolyn GrenzHow does increasing efficiency through the use of technology allow for more collaboration between EL specialists and content teachers? What are some best practices for involving students in goal setting and tracking and how might we implement processes to make it happen? How can educators continue meeting with students, families and other stakeholders to document progress in a remote setting? We discuss these questions and much more in our conversation with Carolyn Grenz.
Carolyn currently serves as Title III Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for the Hillsboro School District in Oregon. Prior to joining...
2020-09-0130 minHighest AspirationsS5/E07: Diversity Conquers Adversity with Dr. Adrian Johnson, Superintendent of Hearne ISD, TXSuperintendent of Schools Dr. Adrian Johnson talks about how his roots as an ESL / Migrant teacher has informed his work as Superintendent of Schools at Hearne ISD, a rural district in central Texas. Dr. Johnson and his team recently deployed “Hearne Online”, a remote learning initiative designed to serve all students in the district as they transition back into school. We talk about Hearne’s success in connecting with families, supporting teachers, empowering diversity, and more.
This episode is part of our "In This Together" docuseries, where we follow the triumphs and challenges of a cross...
2020-08-3139 minHighest AspirationsS5/E06: Making Remote and Hybrid Environments Work For English Learners with Dr. Karen Gregory and Dr. Gretchen OliverHow might tried and true theories of learning help us navigate the uncertainties of remote and hybrid learning models? How can backwards design help teachers spend more time providing support and feedback to students in remote environments? How might we strike the appropriate balance between synchronous and asynchronous learning when planning interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication activities? We discuss these questions and much more in our second conversation with Dr. Karen Gregory and Dr. Gretchen Oliver from Clarkson University in New York. We released our first interview in March 2020 as schools began closing as a result of the global...
2020-08-2548 minHighest AspirationsS5/E05: The Affordances of Remote Learning with Rowena Mak, EL District Coordinator at Saddleback Valley USD, CAEL District Coordinator Rowena Mak discusses the challenge of satisfying the needs of all families, the affordances of remote learning for students and teachers, and much more. Saddleback USD is a TK-12 school district in Southern California with almost 5,000 English learners. Schools will begin the year in a fully remote environment before giving families a choice to enroll in a hybrid model when it is safe to do so.
To watch the entire "In This Together" docuseries, visit our new channel here. You can also find free tools to help ensure your English learners and their families...
2020-08-1929 minHighest AspirationsS5/E04: The Diverse Spectrum of English Learners with Broward County Director of Bilingual/ESOL Vicky SaldalaBilingual / ESOL Department Director Vicky Saldala highlights the challenge of families who cannot be home to support their children's’ learning, the importance of understanding students’ needs, the new face of professional development, and more. Broward County Public Schools is the sixth largest district in the country and the second largest in Florida, with 32,500 ELs representing 147 different languages. Students will start the year with remote learning through the first quarter while the district evaluates the situation on the ground.
To watch the entire "In This Together" docuseries, visit our new channel here. You can also find free tools to he...
2020-08-1937 minHighest AspirationsS5/E03: Everyone Gets a Seat at the Table with Lynmara Colón, Director of EL Programs and Services, Prince William County, VADirector of EL Programs and Services Lynmara Colón discusses the challenge of providing clear and effective communication among all stakeholders, the new opportunities that remote learning has provided for professional learning, and more. Prince William County Public Schools is the second largest district in Virginia and serves almost 92,000 students, 25% of whom are English learners. While most students will go back to remote learning, English learners and other vulnerable student populations will be given access to some in school learning opportunities.
To watch the entire "In This Together" docuseries, visit our new channel here. You can also fi...
2020-08-1932 minHighest AspirationsS5/E02: Start Strong, Finish Stronger with Dr. Adrian Johnson, Superintendent of Hearne ISD, TXDr. Adrian Johnson talks with us about providing equitable access to services and instruction for students without internet access, creating safe in-person opportunities for ELs and their families to get the information they need in their home languages, and more. Hearne ISD is located in Robertson County, TX just north of Texas A&M University. The district is 95.5 economically disadvantaged and faces unique challenges due to its rural location. Schools will start the first 4-8 weeks in a fully remote environment while monitoring the situation on the ground.
To watch the entire "In This Together" docuseries, visit o...
2020-08-1938 minHighest AspirationsS5/E01: Planning for Three Scenarios with ELL Director Juan Corona and Assistant Superintendent Maribel TaboadaDirector of English Learner Language Learners Juan Corona and Assistant Superintendent Maribel Taboada talk with us about the challenge of maintaining strong connections with families and community, the advantages of planning for remote, hybrid, and in person scenarios, and more. They come to us from Maywood District 89, a public elementary school district outside of Chicago, IL serving 5,000 students from preschool to 8th grade. 1,400 of their students are English learners, 90% are minority, and 60% come from low income families. After planning for all three scenarios, District 89 will start the year fully remote.
To watch the entire "In This Together" d...
2020-08-1940 minHighest AspirationsS4/E36: Special Encore Episode: Online Learning for English Learners with Dr. Gretchen Oliver and Dr. Karen GregoryWhat affordances does online learning provide that traditional classes may now? How might online learning help English learners keep learning regardless of what back to school plans look like around the country? What tech tools can teachers use to help support English learners if they are not able to come to school? We discuss these issues and much more with Dr. Gretchen Oliver and Dr. Karen Gregory of Clarkson University on this special episode of Highest Aspirations.
Gretchen Oliver is the Assistant Director of TESOL programs and an Assistant Professor in the Education Department at Clarkson University...
2020-07-2146 minHighest AspirationsS4/E35: Rethinking Conferences and Hierarchical Professional Development with Rebecca RaabHow have recent events changed the way educators access professional development? Are the days of giant annual conferences destined to be replaced by less formal, town hall style meetings? What does this mean for professional organizations that spend so much time planning for large conferences?
We discuss these questions and share some great reading suggestions around race, equity and language learning with Rebecca Raab. Rebecca is President of Virginia TESOL and a doctoral candidate at Virginia Tech researching the induction and mentoring experiences of new ESOL and bilingual teachers in U.S. public schools. Her passion is s...
2020-07-0748 minHighest AspirationsS4/E34: Beyond Compliance: How Streamlining Workflows Helps Teachers Spend More Time With Students, with Thomas JohnsonHow is the relationship between EL Specialists and content teachers similar to that of a driver and a mechanic? Why is it so important to question old habits when it comes to completing compliance-related tasks? What are some ways we can increase collaboration and capacity while also streamlining workflows like meetings and monitoring forms?
We discuss these questions and much more with Thomas Johnson, ELL Coordinator at Fredericksburg City Schools in Virginia. Thomas and his team have discovered some great ways to maximize efficiency so they can spend more time working with students and their families. They h...
2020-06-2339 minHighest AspirationsAsset Based Learning Through a Pandemic: A Student's Perspective with Ellevation Scholarship Winner Isabella De SouzaThis episode is part of a series profiling our Ellevation Take the Pledge Scholarship winners. Each year, we award five $2,000 scholarships to deserving English learners so they can pursue a higher education. One of this year’s winners is Isabella De Souza, a graduating senior from Milford, Massachusetts. Isabella will be studying nursing and Spanish at the University of Massachusetts Lowell this fall. She is passionate about being multilingual, an asset which she hopes to use to help her community through a career in medicine.During our conversation, Isabella talks about what it was like to learn English in sc...
2020-06-1639 minHighest AspirationsS4/E33: Asset Based Learning Through a Pandemic: A Student's Perspective with Ellevation Scholarship Winner Isabella De SouzaThis episode is part of a series profiling our Ellevation Take the Pledge Scholarship winners. Each year, we award five $2,000 scholarships to deserving English learners so they can pursue a higher education. One of this year’s winners is Isabella De Souza, a graduating senior from Milford, Massachusetts. Isabella will be studying nursing and Spanish at the University of Massachusetts Lowell this fall. She is passionate about being multilingual, an asset which she hopes to use to help her community through a career in medicine.
During our conversation, Isabella talks about what it was like to learn En...
2020-06-1639 minHighest AspirationsS4/E32: Reimagining EL Education: Professional Learning for Teachers of ELs in a New Educational Landscape with Christina LoWhat affordances does a forced entry into virtual learning offer for professional development? How can professional learning opportunities focused on language and content also integrate family engagement, social-emotional learning and more? How might districts maintain strong learning experiences for teachers while also facing budget cuts as a result of the pandemic? We discuss these questions and much more with Christina Lo.
Christina is an energizing, reflective leader who serves with passion and dedication. As an educator and central office leader, she brings more than 14 years of experience to the profession. Currently serving as the...
2020-06-0937 minHighest AspirationsS4/E31: Reimagining EL Education: Leveraging Our Shared Experiences to Improve the Future of EL Education with Laura GrissoHow might partnerships with families, community organizations, and city officials create more equitable learning opportunities for English learners? Why is it so important for schools to understand the varied experiences of remote learning for students and their families? How can we leverage this opportunity to offer more relevant and flexible professional learning opportunities for teachers?
We discuss these questions and more in our conversation with Laura Grisso, Executive Director of Language and Cultural Services at Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma. In her current position, she works with the local schools and community leaders to s...
2020-05-2628 minHighest AspirationsS4/E30: Reimagining EL Education: Professional Learning and Family Engagement to Support the Whole Child with Lynmara ColónWhat can districts do to support educators with relevant professional learning to help mitigate learning loss associated with school closures? Why might family engagement be more important than ever and what can schools do to establish and strengthen relationships? How do we use this experience to emphasize the importance of taking a true whole child approach?
We discuss these questions and much more with Lynmara Colón, Director of English Learners at Prince Williams County Public Schools, VA. Lynn also brings the perspective of a teacher, assistant principal, and principal—positions she has held since...
2020-05-1931 minHighest AspirationsS4/E29: Reimagining EL Education Series: Sarah Ottow on Mindset, Quality vs. Quantity, Backward Design, and MoreHow might school closures result in a shift toward quality rather than quantity when educating our English learners and how can we sustain that effort moving forward? Why should empathy-building and perspective-taking be first and foremost when designing learning experiences for vulnerable student populations? How might we elevate the role of the EL Specialist while also bringing content teachers on board to serve English learners and their families?
We discuss these questions and more on this edition of our Reimagining EL Education series, featuring Sarah Ottow, Founder and Director of Confianza. Sarah has over...
2020-05-1232 minHighest AspirationsS4/E28: Reimagining EL Education Series: Conor Williams on the Power of a True Whole Child Approach and MoreOn this episode of our Reimagining EL Education series, we reconnect with our friend Conor Willams of The Century Foundation to talk about finding a path toward a better future for English learners as a result of this crisis. While he acknowledges that no one has all the answers, Conor provides some powerful insight about the importance of taking a whole child approach to distance and brick and mortar education, the challenge of linguistic isolation as a result of social distancing, the value of strong social relationships, and more.
In response to the many q...
2020-05-0632 minHighest AspirationsS4/E27: Reimagining EL Education Series: Lori Villanueva - Superintendent of Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, CAOn this edition of our Reimagining EL Education series, we talk with Lori Villanueva, Superintendent of Coalinga-Huron Unified School District in California's Central Valley.
She and her staff created an inspirational music video to share with students and families during school closures. The video has had a resounding effect on boosting morale, making connections, and keeping the lines of communication open in the school community. We also discuss what the future of EL education might look like in the face of learning loss, budget constraints, and technology challenges. Superintendent Villanueva points to strengthening partnerships with families and m...
2020-04-2922 minHighest AspirationsS4/E26: The Value of Transparency, Trust, and Community During the Pandemic and Beyond with Daniela AnelloOn this edition of our Look for the Helpers series, we bring in Daniela Anello, Head of School at DC Public Charter School. Daniela talks about how her school is maintaining communication with the community they serve during the pandemic. She also highlights why it is so important to embrace vulnerability and learn from mistakes during this time. Finally, she describes why the tenets of transparency, trust, and community are so important as we move through this crisis and beyond.
You can find all of the resources we mention in the episode on our L...
2020-04-1727 minHighest AspirationsS4/E25: Connecting with English Learners Visually and Synchronously with EL Specialist Teri FischOn this edition of our Look for the Helpers series, we speak with Teri Fisch, an EL Specialist in Homer, Illinois. Teri talks with us about her plans to provide more visual interactions with her students via Zoom and other tools. We also discuss what the future may hold for EL educators, students, and families in her district and beyond as we move past this school closures. Finally, Teri highlights some of the positives she is observing - especially when it comes to independent student writing.
You can find all of the resources we mention in the e...
2020-04-1617 minHighest AspirationsS4/E24: A Two Tier Approach to Distance Learning with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Ruben DiazOn this edition of our Look for the Helpers series, we speak with Ruben Diaz, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Parlier Unified School District, a rural community in the Central Valley of California. Parlier is an agricultural community with a high percentage of English learners. During our conversation, Ruben talks about why his district has taken a 2 tier approach to roll out distance learning, beginning with reading and writing before going to speaking and listening. We also highlight how Parlier created an efficient drive-through device pick up system, complete with translated agreement contracts and bar codes to...
2020-04-1324 minHighest AspirationsS4/E23: Interactive Conversations for ELs in Distance Learning Environments and More with Sara HamerlaOn this edition of our Look for the Helpers series, we bring in Sara Hamerla, Administrator of English Language Learners at Waltham Pubic Schools, just outside Boston, Massachusetts. During our conversation, we talk about how we might overcome challenges around keeping students engaged in conversations in a distance learning environment, how we might avoid the possibility of an extended summer slide for English learners, why this might be a good time for PD, and more.
You can find all of the resources we mention in the episode on our Look for the Helpers short...
2020-04-1027 minHighest AspirationsS4/E22: Distance Learning for English Learners in Rural Districts with Richele DunaventOn this edition of our Look for the Helpers series, we speak with Richele Dunavent, an ELL Specialist in Henderson County, North Carolina. Henderson County is a rural district with a high population of English learners speaking a wide variety of languages. We discuss how Richele’s school is providing WiFi access, devices, and instructional materials to their English learners with an eye toward equity. We also highlight some positive developments, like how this crisis has resulted in increased communication with families and school- based teams.
You can find all of the resources we mention in the ep...
2020-04-0920 minHighest AspirationsS4/E21: Engaging English Learners with Comprehension Activities at Home with Hugo CancelOn this edition of our "Look for the Helpers" series, we speak with Hugo Cancel, a paraprofessional at Spring Lake Elementary School in Florida. Recognizing that paper-based packets that were being sent home during school closures were a good start, but not quite adequate to help students improve listening comprehension skills, Hugo began recording lessons and uploading them to YouTube. He has begun sending the videos directly to families with a private link so they can access the instructional materials they need. Hugo lives in the community he serves, and his passion for family and community engagement fuels the...
2020-04-0714 minHighest AspirationsS4/E20: Supporting Multilingual Learners in Bilingual Content Classes with Juan ArroyoOn this edition of our "Look for the Helpers" series, we catch up with Juan Arroyo, a middle school bilingual math teacher in Union City, New Jersey. We talk about how Mr. Arroyo and others are working to provide equitable learning opportunities to all students, regardless of their language and socioeconomic status. We also highlight tools and strategies to engage students in blended and online learning activities that will continue to be useful, even when schools re-open.
For more information and free resources to help engage multilingual learners from wherever they are, visit Ellevation...
2020-04-0618 minHighest AspirationsAdapting to Changing Learning Environments with Ellevation Cofounders Jordan Meranus and Teddy RiceWe catch up with Ellevation's cofounders Jordan Meranus and Teddy Rice to talk about the challenges they are seeing, how Ellevation is adapting to best serve English learners, and what long-term school closures mean for educational equity. If you'd like to share your story on Highest Apirations, go to bit.ly/ELLHelper.You can find more resources on our Look for the Helpers short video series. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/highest-aspirations/message
2020-03-3014 minHighest AspirationsS4/E16: Adapting to Changing Learning Environments with Ellevation Cofounders Jordan Meranus and Teddy RiceWe catch up with Ellevation's cofounders Jordan Meranus and Teddy Rice to talk about the challenges they are seeing, how Ellevation is adapting to best serve English learners, and what long-term school closures mean for educational equity. If you'd like to share your story on Highest Apirations, go to bit.ly/ELLHelper.
You can find more resources on our Look for the Helpers short video series.
2020-03-3014 minHighest AspirationsS4/E8: Educator of the Month Series with Dr. Geniene Delahunty of Boone County Schools, KYHow can Newcomer Academies help immigrant students get off to a good start in on their academic journeys? Why is community and family engagement so important and how can educators implement strategies that work? How do we go about streamlining EL programs while also mitigating concerns around change management?
We discuss these questions and in the first in a series of episodes featuring Ellevation Educators of the Month, an award program we kicked off on October of 2019 to recognize and celebrate educators who go above and beyond in supporting the needs of their multilingual students. In this...
2020-03-0339 minHighest AspirationsS4/E1: Making an Impact on English learners with Ellevation Co-founders Jordan Meranus and Teddy RiceIn this episode, we bring you a conversation Ellevation co-founders Teddy Rice and Jordan Meranus. Jordan and Teddy talk about how Ellevation’s origin story is directly connected to an EL teacher working to maximize impact on her students, how diversity and inclusion contribute to innovation, what organizations like ours need to do to stay connected with schools, and what you can expect from Ellevation in the near future. Plus, they provide a sneak peek into what's coming next from Ellevation!
Stay connected with us by joining our ELL Community. There you can leave comments about this epi...
2020-01-1441 minHighest AspirationsSeason 4 TrailerHow do we ensure English learners experience equitable access to rigorous content in math classes? What can we do to bridge the gap between research and practice in dual language programs? How do we ensure all students learn the academic language necessary to succeed in content classes? What supports do English learners and undocumented students need along the route to college admission?
We cover these questions and much more in Season 4 of Highest Aspirations, an education podcast, where we engage in important conversations about our country’s most rapidly growing student demographic - English Language Learners.
We kick off Season 4 wit...
2020-01-0904 min
Queen BossEllevation Talk with Octavia BarnesListen as we discuss how teamwork makes the dream work. Octavia shares her knowledge in hair care and the hemp industry. Join the Ellevation Experience!
2019-12-3121 minHighest AspirationsS3/E21: Advice for EL Students, Teachers, and More with Take the Pledge Scholarship Winner Paola MartinezAs you may know, Ellevation gives five $2,000 scholarships to deserving English learners every year. On this episode, we talk with Take the Pledge Scholarship winner Paola Martinez. Paola graduated from high school in Soledad, California and is currently studying business administration at the University of California Irvine. Like our other scholarship winners, Paola brings an important student perspective to Highest Aspirations. Listeners will appreciate her sincere reflection of her experience as an English learner, as well as the advice she offers for both students and teachers. Paola highlights her experience with Upward Bound, gives some great advice to EL s...
2019-12-1729 minHighest AspirationsS3/E18: The Evolving Role of EL Teachers with Michelle BenegasMichelle Benegas, of Hamline University and the ELM Project dropped by to talk about site-based EL teacher leadership, the evolving (and elevated) role of the EL teachers, and how Ellevation is serving as a conduit for conversations about EL progress. Learn more about EL teacher leadership and professional development by listening to our full interview with Michelle and her colleague Amy Stolpestad.
2019-11-2605 minHighest AspirationsS3/E16: The Collective Responsibility of Educating English Learners with Kristina Robertson of Roseville Public SchoolsKristina Robertson, EL Program Administrator at Roseville Public Schools in Minnesota, chatted with us about the our collective responsibility to educate English learners, how ESSA might helping support teachers who work with ELs, and her favorite features of Ellevation for both administrators and teachers.
2019-11-2607 minHighest AspirationsS3/E14: Key ESSA Updates with David HolbrookDavid Holbrook of TransACT stopped by our booth at the WIDA Conference in Providence, RI to talk about the impact of ESSA on EL programs, shifts from Title 3 into Title 1, and family engagement. You can read David's bio and find his recent contributions on TransACT's website. To learn more about ESSA's impact on English learners, be sure to listen to our full podcast episode David Holbrook and Ellevation's President and co-founder Teddy Rice.
2019-11-2607 minHighest AspirationsS3/E10: A Conceptual Framework for EL Program Management and Instruction with Adam HowardHow might a conceptual framework help educators better communicate around EL program management, instructional practices, and more? How can using a framework encourage educators to assess their practice and identify where they can improve? What benefits does all this have for multilingual learners? We discuss these questions and much more with Ellevation’s own Adam Howard.
Adam is currently a project manager here at Ellevation Education, where he works with school districts across the country to onboard and roll-out a suite of software that manages data analysis, teacher development, and student instruction. He has an extensive background in...
2019-10-2938 min
Cafe Mocha RadioWatch The Ton3es EllevationThe HamilTones are performing at Salute Her Charlotte, but first, they stop by Cafe Mocha to talk about the debut of their long-awaited EP and becoming comedy YouTube sensations. Plus, Elle Varner is back with new music. She talks about the ugly politics of the R&B business. #SaluteHer19 @WatchTheTon3es #Ellevation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2019-10-1230 minHighest AspirationsS3/E02: From Cuba to Dartmouth (via Miami) with Ellevation Scholarship Winner Melany QuinteroHow do students deal with the stigma sometimes associated with English learners and immigrants in our schools and communities? What are some of the main factors that help ensure success for English learners? What can educators do to best support English learners?
We discuss these questions and much more in our conversation with Take the Pledge scholarship winner Melany Quintero. Melany is a recent high school graduate from Pembroke Pines, Florida, just outside Miami. She is beginning her higher education journey at Dartmouth College this fall, where she is studying Biomedical Engineering. She came to the US...
2019-08-2731 minHighest AspirationsS2/E20: Collaborating with Content Teachers: Co-Planning and Co-Teaching with Tan HuynhHow might EL Specialists establish and nurture relationships with content teachers who work with ELs? What are some simple strategies that can help make co-planning and co-teaching easier for all kinds of teachers? How can we encourage content teachers allow their EL students to create as a more effective way of learning. We discuss these questions and much more in this lively conversation Tan Huynh.
Tan Huynh (@TanELLclassroom) is a career teacher specializing in language acquisition. Tan has taught students from fifth to twelfth grade in public schools, private boarding schools, and charter schools. Internationally, Tan has tau...
2019-06-041h 03Highest AspirationsS2/E14: Eddie Williams and The Newcomers: Profile of an EL Teacher (Part 2)In the second of a 2 part series, we continue our conversation with Eddie Williams, the teacher featured in Helen Thorpe’s book The Newcomers.
How might teachers handle the draw of smartphones, texting, social media in their classes, particularly when working with English learners and newcomers? What is the appropriate balance between structure and agency when working with English learners? How do effective coaches encourage new teachers to increase their impact without becoming overwhelmed? All that and what Eddie hopes readers will take away from the book.
We pick up right where we left off with...
2019-04-2326 minHighest AspirationsS2/E10: The Workshop Model for Reading and Writing with Valentina GonzalezWhat is the Workshop approach and how might it help English learners improve their reading and writing skills? What is the appropriate balance between direct instruction and independent student work? How might we implement workshop style activities in classes with diverse groups of learners?
We discuss these questions and much more with Valentina Gonzalez. Valentina is an educational consultant working with educators across the nation to support English learners. She works with schools and districts to provide professional learning experiences that are tailored to meet the needs of the participants. She specializes in creating...
2019-03-2749 minHighest AspirationsS2/E8: District Teams For Effective Family Engagement With Cabarrus County, NCHow might school districts form teams of educators with different skill sets to design and implement effective family engagement strategies? Why is it so important to create a solid action plan for family engagement and how might districts approach this work? How do family and community engagement practices positively affect EL student success in school and beyond?
We discuss these questions and much more in our conversation with a great team from Cabarrus County Schools in North Carolina. In our first episode with three guests, we bring in ESL Counselor Stacey Diaz, High School E...
2019-03-1243 minHighest AspirationsSeason 1 Finale: Reflecting and Looking AheadIn this short episode, we recap Season 1 and preview what we have planned for Season 2 - coming in January, 2019.
Thanks to all our listeners and guests for your contributions to our first season. On behalf of everyone at Ellevation, we wish you a happy holiday season!
Check out all 30 Season 1 episodes wherever you listen to podcasts and discover more great content at https://ellevationeducation.com/ell-community.
2018-12-1203 minHighest AspirationsS1/E26: EL Student Spotlight: A Conversation With Take the Pledge Scholarship Winner Maria PerezWhere are our Take the Pledge Scholarship winners now? How did their high school experiences prepare them for college life? What have they learned that they can now share with others?
In this bonus episode, we speak with Maria Perez, a recent high school graduate from Tulsa, Oklahoma. We discuss her experience as an English Language Learner, the importance of family and teacher support, future plans, and even the profound influence of Don Quijote.
Maria was the recipient of one of five $2,000 scholarships that Ellevation awarded to deserving English Language Learners to help them pursue their dream of a higher...
2018-11-1917 minHighest AspirationsS1/E13: ESSA's Impact on ELL Programs - David Holbrook of TransACTWhat are the implications of ESSA on ELL programs and instruction?What specifically are Title 1 and Title 3 administrators going to observe in the coming months? And how about principals and teachers? How is the K-12 world we know going to change in 2018-2019?
We discuss these questions and more as Ellevation President and Co-Founder founder Teddy Rice sits down with Dr. David Holbrook of TransACT Parent Notices. We handed over the mic the Teddy - our in house policy wonk - for this episode because he is well-versed in ESSA, which led to a rich conversation with David.
2018-08-2242 minHighest AspirationsS1/BONUS: What the Heck is a "Hackathon" with Eric WongMany team members here at Ellevation Education recently participated in the company's 5th annual Hackathon. In this bonus episode, Steve sits down with Ellevation's VP of Engineering Eric Wong to learn more about what it is and why we do it.
2018-08-0217 min