Friday, May 15, 2026
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Instrucción estructurada de la LECTOESCRITURA en español
Sponsored by Werling Nexus (Diamond) Sponsored SessionsAlejandra Benitez Lead
May 15, 9:40am – 10:50am70 minMesquite (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
Descubre cómo enseñar la lectoescritura en español de forma explícita, sistemática y efectiva. A través de una secuencia progresiva de habilidades —conciencia fonológica, fonética, fluidez, vocabulario, comprensión y escritura— aprenderás a apoyar a los estudiantes desde las etapas iniciales de alfabetización hasta estudiantes mayores con retos en lectoescritura. Los participantes aprenderán a usar evaluaciones y datos para guiar la instrucción y brindar intervenciones efectivas en aulas bilingües. Saldrás con herramientas prácticas que impulsarán la biliteracidad, la confianza académica y un ambiente inclusivo y motivador para todos tus estudiantes. -
ED
From Insight to Impact: Aligning Data, Funding, and Equity
Sponsored by Summit K-12 (Diamond) Sponsored SessionsEricka Avila Dillon Lead
May 15, 9:45am – 10:40am55 minLaurel (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
Equitable instruction for Emergent Bilingual (EB) students requires more than just good intentions—it requires a data-backed blueprint. In this session, we dive into the "how" of supporting district-wide EB initiatives. We will audit multi-year data trends, map evidence-based resources to specific funding streams, and bridge the gap between financial planning and instructional achievement. Attendees will walk away with a ready-to-use implementation framework that equips them to advocate for EB students and lead their districts toward a more equitable and inclusive future. -
Building Bilingual Teacher Pipelines Through Leadership
Administrator/ AdvocacyDr. Lorena Claeys Lead with Dr. Karina Villa, Ms. Christina King, M.a., Mrs. Renee Tondre-garza, Lpc Dr. Claudia Garcia-treviño, M.a. Sr. Alejandra Treviño, Fma, M. Ed
May 15, 10:55am – 11:50am55 minLaurel (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
This session examines how educational leaders can expand bilingual teacher pipelines through advocacy, policy-informed decision-making, and strategic partnerships. Participants will explore the Culturally Efficacious Signature Teacher Residency (CESTR) model developed by the Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center at UT San Antonio and how the model supports paraprofessionals and community members in becoming certified bilingual educators.
The session highlights leadership practices that support Grow‑Your‑Own programs, including mentorship structures, district‑university collaboration, and policy strategies that remove barriers and expand access to bilingual programs for aspiring teachers. Presenters will also discuss culturally sustaining leadership approaches that value multilingualism and cultural identity as essential assets.
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for building sustainable Grow Your Own pathways, cultivating community-rooted educators, and rising together as champions of language, culture, and community. -
The Transformative Power of Bilingual and Higher Education
Featured SessionsDr. Jose Luis Zelaya Lead
May 15, 10:55am – 12:05pm70 minMesquite (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
This session provides an interactive and engaging learning experience focused on the transformative power of bilingualism in the lives of newcomer and emergent bilingual students. Participants will explore how bilingualism strengthens cognitive development, academic success, perseverance, and long-term aspirations, while also serving as a foundation for belonging and empowerment in schools. Together, we will examine common challenges educators face when supporting bilingual learners, including limited instructional time, pressures to accelerate English acquisition, and systems that unintentionally devalue students’ home language. Using a strengths-based and research-informed approach, participants will reflect on how to shift classroom practices toward affirming language, culture, and student voice. Educators will leave with practical strategies and tools that can be implemented strategically, including methods to increase academic discourse, elevate multilingual engagement, and create safe learning environments where students’ native language and cultural assets are embraced as essential resources. This session will inspire participants to reimagine English language acquisition as a powerful pathway to leadership, opportunity, and generational success. -
The Fab 4: Four Non-Negotiable Scaffolds to Support EBs
Administrator/ AdvocacySonya Monreal Lead with Elizabell Garcia
May 15, 2:55pm – 3:50pm55 minLaurel (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
This hands-on session will showcase how our department operationalized four required daily scaffolds (The Fab 4) to ensure consistent language support for emergent bilingual students across all content areas. Rather than positioning scaffolds as optional strategies, our district embedded them into curriculum design, instructional expectations, and professional learning structures so that every teacher shares responsibility for language development.
Participants will examine real classroom examples and before-and-after lesson slide decks to see how intentional scaffold integration strengthens rigor while increasing access. -
Cultivating Bilingual Teacher Leaders in Community
Administrator/ AdvocacyDr. Karina Villa Lead with Dr. Lorena Claeys, Mpa, Ms. Christina King, M.a., Mrs. Renee Tondre-garza, M.a., Lpc Dr. Claudia Garcia-treviño, M.a. Sr. Alejandra Treviño, Fma, M.ed
May 15, 2:55pm – 4:05pm70 minMesquite (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
This session invites participants to rise together as champions of language, culture, and community by exploring the Culturally Efficacious Signature Teacher Residency (CESTR) pathway developed through the Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center at UT San Antonio. Participants will learn how the pathway creates accessible routes for paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, and community members to become bilingual certified educators through residency-based clinical experiences, mentorship, and culturally sustaining pedagogies.
Presenters will share practical resources and tools that support aspiring bilingual teachers, including TExES preparation strategies, career transition guidance, and mentorship supports that strengthen educator readiness and confidence. The session will also highlight how Grow-Your-Own partnerships between universities, schools, and communities fortify bilingual teacher pipelines while affirming the linguistic and cultural assets emergent bilingual students bring to the classroom.
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for designing culturally sustaining teacher pathways that empower educators to champion language, culture, and community in their schools.