Building Better Multilingual Learner Programs Together
13 Projects Fueling Impact & Innovation So Far in the 2025-26 School Year
Every year, we have the privilege of partnering with districts, state agencies, and educators who are deeply committed to multilingual learners (MLs). As the needs of MLs continue to evolve, so does the work with more strategic planning, more targeted professional learning, and more support to strengthen instruction and systems.
So far in the 2025-26 school year, our team has focused on high-impact technical assistance, professional learning, and coaching that helps schools and districts build sustainable, equity-driven ML programs. Below is an inside look at 13 projects across technical assistance, professional learning, and coaching— just some of the partnerships and progress that have defined the first half of the school year—and how we can support your community next.
Educators at Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) work to refine and redesign their ML program models with SupportEd Principal Associate, Dr. Sydney Snyder.
1. Advancing Strategic ML Programming with Syracuse City School District
We’ve continued our long-term partnership with Syracuse City School District’s (SCSD’s) in New York with the Multilingual and Cultural Education Department to elevate programming for multilingual learners across the district. Our work included:
- Co-authoring a three-year ML strategic plan
- Developing guidance documents aligned to strategic goals
- Creating professional learning resources to support implementation
This collaboration is helping SCSD build a clear, coherent roadmap for ML success grounded in best practice and districtwide alignment.
2. From Program Review to Action with Chicopee Public Schools
The partnership with Chicopee Public Schools in Massachusetts began by conducting a comprehensive Onsite ML Program Review that included:
- Classroom observations in elementary, middle, and high schools
- Stakeholder interviews
- Document and data reviews of ELD programming
After delivering a Findings Report and identifying priority areas, we shifted into monthly leadership coaching to support the ML Director in designing and implementing action steps. This ongoing cycle of review, planning, and leadership coaching is creating meaningful momentum for educators and MLs across the district.
3. Supporting School Teams Through Innovative Program Design with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Through a partnership with Education Resource Strategies (ERS), we are providing technical assistance to a cohort of Massachusetts schools for Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) working to refine and redesign their ML program models. The cohort engages in:
- Three in-person working sessions
- Individualized technical assistance
- An interactive webinar
This work with MA DESE is helping schools build more coherent, student-centered ML models grounded in strong instructional practice while implementing innovative staffing, scheduling, and operational strategies that support MLs.
4. Supporting SLIFE Satewide with Maryland State Department of Education
We are collaborating with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to create a comprehensive guidebook for supporting Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE). The resource offers concrete guidance and best practices for school districts on:
Programming
Instruction
Assessment
The goal is to ensure that SLIFE across Maryland have access to high-quality, responsive learning experiences.
Educators at the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) work together to focus on scaffolding, peer learning, and strengthening engagement in reading and writing.
5. Building ML Expertise in Low-Incidence Districts with Virginia Department of Education
We facilitated a full-day, in-person workshop for districts across the commonwealth of Virginia for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) with smaller ML populations. This session focused on:
Scaffolding grade-level content
Embedding peer-learning strategies in instruction
Strengthening ML engagement in reading and writing
Educators, comprised of teams of teachers and administrators, left with practical tools they could implement the very next day.
6. A Three-Part Virtual Learning Series with Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Department of Education (CDE)‘s virtual learning series consisted of supporting educators from across the state of Colorado in:
Supporting MLs in reading and writing across the curriculum
Activating and developing background knowledge
Designing effective newcomer instruction
This interactive series with CDE gave teachers statewide access to research-based strategies tailored to diverse ML needs.
7. Strengthening English as a New Language and Formative Assessment Practices with NYC RBERN
We facilitated two virtual professional learning sessions for New York City Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (NYC RBERN) which focused on:
Introducing English as a New Language (ENL)
Providing an overview of formative assessment for MLs
In 2026, we will continue with three additional sessions:
A deeper dive into formative assessment
Two workshops centered on advocating for MLs
These hands-on learning sessions will offer consistent, high-quality practices designed to strengthen both ENL instruction and formative assessment across the NYC RBERN network.
8. Book Study Support with Long Island Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network
To accompany a districtwide book study of Unlocking Multilingual Learners’ Potential: Strategies for Making Content Accessible, we facilitated three 2-hour sessions for Long Island Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (LIRBERN) in New York state centered on:
Scaffolding strategies
Peer learning
Academic language development
Participants had opportunities to analyze their own instructional contexts and plan next steps for implementation.
9. Integrating Two Main Focus Areas with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)
We facilitated two 90-minute professional learning sessions for a high school in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). region. The sessions were focused on:
- Activating and teaching background knowledge to MLs
- Providing reading and writing support in all content areas
By integrating these two focus areas, these sessions helped DCPS educators develop more cohesive strategies for supporting MLs’ reading and writing across the curriculum.
10. Professional Learning Collaboration with Baltimore County Public Schools
We facilitated a professional learning collaboration for Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) elementary teachers. This project focused on:
- Conducting a walkthrough at the school to observe and gather data on their current instructional practices
- Incorporating scaffolds and peer learning routines into classroom instruction during a full day PD session
- Delivering additional sessions in a three-part after school series
This approach helped create an all encompassing strategy to strengthen ML support from the ground up.
Dr. Diane Staehr Fenner, SupportEd president and founder, sits one-on-one with an educator for personalized coaching.
11. Deepening ML Instructional Practice with Reading School District
In our multi-year partnership with Reading School District (RSD), located in Pennsylvania, we are strengthening ML instruction in general education classrooms through:
Professional learning
Onsite coaching in two schools
For 2025–26, each coached teacher completes four coaching cycles, including:
Pre-visit planning
1–2 classroom visits featuring modeling, co-teaching, or targeted observation
A post-visit debrief
This sustained model builds teacher capacity and supports instructional alignment with district priorities.
12. Coaching Career and Technical Education Teachers to Support ML Success with Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services
Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers at Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (SWBOCES) in New York State are being coached to embed ML-supportive strategies directly into their CTE instruction. Each of the coaching cycles includes:
A pre-visit planning conversation
One or two classroom visits
A post-visit debrief to plan next steps
This work with SWBOCES is helping CTE teachers tailor hands-on, career-focused learning so that MLs thrive in both language and content.
13. Implementing A Sound Structure for ESL Teachers with Trenton Public School District
We are coaching six middle school ESL teachers from Trenton Public Schools to strengthen the implementation of instructional strategies to support MLs in ELD and co-taught classes. Each of the three coaching cycles includes:
- A pre-visit meeting
- Classroom observation
- Debrief meeting to discuss next steps
This structure ensures a coherent coaching process that builds teacher capacity and leads to more consistent, high-quality instruction for MLs across classrooms.
Looking Ahead: Let’s Strengthen Your Multilingual Learner Programs Together
Every district and organization we partner with shares one goal: ensuring MLs have access to equitable, rigorous, and affirming educational experiences. Whether you need strategic planning, program review, professional learning, or onsite coaching, we’re here to help you build systems and instruction that truly meet MLs where they are.
Ready to explore how we can support your school, district, or organization?
Schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting with our ML experts.
About SupportEd
SupportEd, LLC is a woman-owned small business based in Fairfax, VA specializing in Multilingual Learners (MLs). Founded in 2011 by Dr. Diane Staehr Fenner, best-selling author and ML expert, SupportEd meticulously crafts customized solutions to fit each client’s strengths, needs, and provides teachers and administrators the practical tools necessary to champion MLs’ success within and beyond the classroom. All SupportEd team members have prior experience in the classroom which enables the SupportEd team to provide realistic, actionable solutions. Services include online and in-person immersive professional development workshops, easy-to-implement tools and resources, and an array of supporting services. Visit supported.com or call (202) 660-1444 to learn more.
