Symposium Replay
Catch up and rewatch sessions and access resource Padlets from the 2025 Multilingual Learner Symposium! Scroll down to watch the Keynote Address, Fireside Chat, Q&A Panel, and all session presentations. Access expires July 10, 2025. Happy Learning!
Sessions + Padlets
Scheduling: A Key Component to Multilingual Learner Programming
- Shannon Smith, MEd
ML programming can be challenging when striving to support MLs’ language development and content understanding while also ensuring students’ access to rigorous grade-level instruction with their peers. Scheduling is a key piece to address that challenge. In this session, we will explore strategies and tools to strengthen scheduling for MLs through the lens of three schools, and you will set goals to implement them in your context.
 Shannon Smith, MEd, is an ML Coach and Technical Assistance Specialist with SupportEd, working with educators across multiple states to enhance ML education. She has led initiatives like South Portland School District’s first Multilingual Learner Master Plan and collaborated with state education departments on SLIFE instruction and ML programming. Previously, she was an ESL teacher, instructional coach, and administrator in Pennsylvania, overseeing ML curriculum and professional learning. Shannon is dedicated to equipping educators with the tools to support MLs through high-quality coaching and technical assistance.
Social Emotional Learning: Fostering Access for Multilingual Learners
- Mindi Teich, MEd
With MLs comprising nearly 25% of the school-age population, it is imperative that all school staff be intentional about including MLs in SEL practices. In this session, you will examine our SEL for MLs framework, which identifies considerations specific to MLs and practical educator actions aligned with CASEL’s five SEL competencies. You will explore practical strategies for teaching SEL to MLs that support students’ unique strengths and needs.Â
Mindi Teich, MEd, has been an advocate for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and their teachers for over 20 years. She began her career as an ESL teacher in DC Public Schools, later spending a decade coaching and training educators in language acquisition. Since joining SupportEd in 2020, she has served as an ML Coach and Project Manager, supporting co-teaching initiatives and professional development in districts across multiple states. She co-authored the book "Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners" and conducts training on scaffolding, academic language, and SEL.
Unlocking Multilingual Learner Newcomer Students’ Potential: Essential Strategies for Academic Success
- Deena Marshall, MA
Are you looking for new ideas to support ML newcomer students? Come explore ways to foster content learning and academic language development for ML newcomer students in all classrooms. You will walk away with actionable, research-based strategies and tools you can use to strengthen instruction for your ML newcomer students.
 Deena Marshall, MEd, is an experienced educator with 17 years dedicated to advocating for multilingual learners (MLs). As Director of Multilingual Learning at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School (2015–2024), she led programming for over 400 ML students. Previously, she served as an ML teacher and instructional coach. With a Master’s in ESOL and a background in sociology, Deena specializes in ML program development, compliance, and best practices.
Building Background Knowledge for Multilingual Learners: A Foundation for Literacy
- Mindi Teich, MEd
Connecting to past experiences is vital for learning, especially for MLs. Explore the pivotal role of background knowledge in enhancing literacy outcomes for MLs. Learn strategies for activating and providing concise background knowledge that highlight MLs’ cultural assets, enrich engagement with and comprehension of text, and connect content to MLs’ unique perspectives.Â
Mindi Teich, MEd, has been an advocate for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and their teachers for over 20 years. She began her career as an ESL teacher in DC Public Schools, later spending a decade coaching and training educators in language acquisition. Since joining SupportEd in 2020, she has served as an ML Coach and Project Manager, supporting co-teaching initiatives and professional development in districts across multiple states. She co-authored the book "Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners" and conducts training on scaffolding, academic language, and SEL.
Enhancing Schooling for Multilingual Learners through Family Engagement
- Meghan Gregoire-Smith, MA
Family engagement is a key component of effective ML programming. This session will explore strategies for strengthening ML family engagement to leverage the strengths and meet the needs of this unique population. In addition, we will share practical tools that can assist you in integrating ML family engagement in your context.Â
Meghan Gregoire-Smith, MA is passionate about supporting educators of MLs and co-authored "Unlocking Multilingual Learners’ Potential (2nd Ed.)". With over 12 years of experience, she began teaching English in Ecuador before earning her Master’s in TESOL from UMBC. She later taught K-5 MLs and served as an ELD Teacher Specialist in Anne Arundel County, where she developed curriculum, led professional development, and coached educators. Now at SupportEd, she focuses on high-quality training and coaching.
Peer-Learning Routines to Empower Multilingual Learners in Content Reading and Writing
- Sydney Snyder, PhD
Would you like to strengthen MLs’ engagement with academic reading and writing while also fostering their oral language development? In this session, we will explore a variety of engaging peer-learning routines which can support MLs at all grade levels as they take part in content-based reading and writing activities. Â
Dr. Sydney Snyder is passionate about advocacy and educational equity for MLs, a passion that began during her time as an English language development (ELD) teacher. At SupportEd, she coaches ML educators, facilitates professional development, and provides technical assistance on topics like ML newcomer instruction. She co-authored "Unlocking Multilingual Learners’ Potential (2nd ed.)" and "Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners" and contributed to "Breaking Down the Monolingual Wall". With 25+ years in ELD, she began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea and later taught in Indonesia.
Discussion Board
Bring Multilingual Learner Experts To Your School
Partner with SupportEd to host a dynamic professional development (PD) workshop tailored to the needs of your educators. Our immersive, hands-on sessions draw from the proven tools and strategies featured in our best-selling books and are designed to empower administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals alike. Choose from a wide range of relevant topics and equip your team with practical, research-based approaches to support multilingual learners effectively.
Speaking Engagements Speaking Engagements
Experience a dynamic and inspiring interactive keynote session with actionable strategies and takeaways that leave a lasting impact online or in-person for your school, district, or event.
Self-Paced Book Studies Self-Paced Book Studies
Pair your SupportEd book with one of four online book studies and conveniently learn from your phone, tablet, or laptop on your own time while earning 20 to 25 hours of professional development this summer!
Free Tools & Resources Free Tools & Resources
SupportEd’s Resource Library is filled with a variety of tools that you can implement in your classroom, school, or district to help champion multilingual learners in the classroom and beyond.
