Friday, May 15, 2026
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Registration
May 15, 7:00am – 8:00am60 minMain Foyer -
Education and Training Pathway at Memorial
Parent, Family, & Community EngagementCynthia Ramirez De Lopez Lead with Marely Garcia
May 15, 9:40am – 10:50am70 minMaverick (Level: 1st Floor, Cap 40)Show details
This presentation showcases how future bilingual educators serve as campeones de lenguaje, la cultura, y la comunidad by completing internships in local elementary schools, where they apply dual language and culturally responsive practices. Research affirms that developing students’ first language strengthens second-language acquisition and overall academic success, and that affirming cultural identity is essential for bilingual learners’ engagement and well‑being . Additionally, field‑based experiences deepen preservice teachers’ understanding of dual language pedagogy and strengthen preparation for bilingual/dual language classrooms . By uplifting language, culture, and community through authentic service, these interns embody the spirit of Still We Rise and demonstrate the trans-formative impact of bilingual educator pathways. -
The Power of Words: Unlocking Academic Language for Student Success
Featured SessionsDr. ET Lead
May 15, 9:40am – 10:50am70 minOak (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
Explore simple, effective strategies to build academic language through structured talk, modeling, and student discourse. Walk away with ready-to-use tools to boost student voice, confidence, and success—perfect for strengthening TELPAS reading and writing. -
Campeones del idioma desde Pre‑K: Conectando hogar, escuela y comunidad
Parent, Family, & Community EngagementDubelsa Lara Lead
May 15, 10:55am – 11:50am55 minMaverick (Level: 1st Floor, Cap 40)Show details
This presentation will share practical, research‑aligned strategies to position Pre‑K families as active partners in developing children’s bilingual language and cultural identity in dual language and ESL classrooms. Drawing on over 20 years of classroom experience and a recent Top Family Engagement award using ReadyRosie, the session will model how everyday home routines, stories, and traditions can be transformed into rich language and literacy opportunities that honor students’ linguistic and cultural assets. Participants will leave with ready‑to‑use ideas for communication, family activities, and classroom projects that connect home, school, and community, fully reflecting the theme “Still We Rise: Campeones de lenguaje, la cultura, y la comunidad.” -
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Beyond the Code: Building Language and Vocabulary Through Decodable Readers
Sponsored by Werling Nexus (Diamond) Sponsored SessionsMandy Turner Lead
May 15, 10:55am – 12:05pm70 minOak (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
Decodable readers are essential for building accurate word reading—but decoding alone is not enough. Beyond the Code: Building Language and Vocabulary Through Decodable Readers explores how educators can use decodable texts to intentionally strengthen vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension, especially for upper-elementary striving readers, students with dyslexia, and emergent bilingual learners. Participants will learn how to evaluate decodables for language richness, design instruction that supports both receptive and expressive language, and leverage culturally relevant texts to build meaning, engagement, and background knowledge while maintaining phonics integrity. -
Beyond Google Translate: Using AI to Support Biliteracy Development
Sponsored by TABE (Partner) Sponsored SessionsKarina Chapa Lead
May 15, 1:35pm – 2:45pm70 minOak (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
This session explores how artificial intelligence tools can move educators beyond basic translation to intentionally support biliteracy development. Participants will learn practical strategies for using AI to enhance reading, writing, and language transfer across English and Spanish, while maintaining linguistic integrity and academic rigor. The session emphasizes ethical use, culturally responsive practices, and classroom-ready applications that strengthen students’ bilingual identities and outcomes. -
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From Parents to Professionals: Fortaleciendo las capacidades en nuestras comunidades
Parent, Family, & Community EngagementDenise Segura Lead
May 15, 1:45pm – 2:40pm55 minMaverick (Level: 1st Floor, Cap 40)Show details
This session highlights the transformative journey of a Salado DLI Academy that has moved beyond traditional parent involvement to a robust parent capacity-building model. We will share how our district empowers families by providing ESL and GED classes, as well as specialized pathways for parents to earn their Instructional Assistant and Substitute certifications. By investing in our parents' professional growth, we have cultivated a resilient ecosystem where bilingualism serves as a bridge to career opportunities and school leadership. Attendees will learn how this model has effectively eliminated our LPAC parent shortages and substitute teacher gaps, creating a sustainable cycle of advocacy and support. We will provide a roadmap for participants to replicate these certification pathways, demonstrating how bilingual education empowers families to rise above systemic challenges and become the primary voices for their classrooms and communities. -
When Bilingual Education Programs Meet the Magic of Music
Parent, Family, & Community EngagementDr. Gilberto D Soto Lead
May 15, 2:55pm – 4:05pm70 minMaverick (Level: 1st Floor, Cap 40)Show details
The main objective of this presentation is to provide principles and strategies of how music and movement can be related to the expressive and developmental needs of dual language programs for children from their early childhood stages. These music activities and/or curriculum materials presented are intended to increase the enactive, iconic and symbolic learning experiences when creating lesson plans. Group music experiences and activities for children will also be covered. This presentation is mostly hands-on, so be ready to sing, move and dance! -
The Language of Discovery: Empowering Emergent Bilingual Scientists through Phenomenon
Sponsored by Summit K-12 (Diamond) Sponsored SessionsJessica Torres Lead with Jesse Garcia
May 15, 2:55pm – 4:05pm70 minOak (Level: 2nd Floor, Cap 45)Show details
By anchoring instruction in phenomena, 3-Dimensional science empowers Emergent Bilinguals to prioritize sensemaking over memorization, ensuring English proficiency is never a barrier to high-level discovery. This interactive session demonstrates how the 3-Dimensional model’s emphasis on scientific discourse and collaborative practices naturally aligns with the linguistic needs of all learners. Participants will learn to leverage the new Texas Science ELPS Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs) to scaffold rigorous inquiry through translanguaging and academic discourse strategies. Leave equipped to foster a classroom culture where students use their diverse communication assets to argue, model, and think like scientists.