Updated this tool just this week to add Haitian Creole thanks to Karina & Evens Paul!! "I NEED" statement cards for newcomers! movingbeyondformls.blogspot.com/2023/08/i-ne...

What do language education and architecture have in common? Both can benefit from a universal design approach! IRC Specialist @maestraolivia.bsky.social led an energetic session about UDL and translanguaging and where these two concepts meet.

It was an honor to welcome the brilliant Dr. Sonia Soltero from DePaul University to share her insights with us on creating culturally responsive ecosystems for multilingual learners and working with an asset-based approach to student & family language & culture. Thank you, Dr. Soltero!

Only @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social would spend a wild Saturday night poring over a 13-year study of ELs. 😂 It's fitting then that she led a lively discussion about data, with a reminder that "ACCESS data is SCHOOL data" — it's a reflection of the way the entire school supports English learners.

A bittersweet morning as we celebrated the accomplishments of two ISBE leaders retiring later this school year — Seng Naolhu & Barry Pedersen. Congrats, Seng & Barry, & thank you for all you have done & continue to do to support multilingual students!

We were honored to have ILTOY Victor Gómez as our keynote speaker. He shared his journey to becoming a bilingual STEM teacher, & how fellow educators can continue to embrace multilingualism as an asset in STEM instruction. Thank you, Victor, for sharing your story!

"In Illinois, we believe a child does not need to lose a language in order to learn a language." —powerful words to start Day Two from Illinois Superintendent Tony Sanders

A packed house in Rosemont for another fabulous day of learning, connecting, growing and sharing resources at the Statewide Meeting for Administrators Supporting English Learners! Stay tuned for more updates & insights.

The future is here! Meet the new directors as we kick off the 2025 Statewide Meeting for Administrators Supporting English Learners! Excited to learn, grow & connect with these passionate educators.

At our first EmpowerCon, Specialist Adelicia Brienzo led an informative workshop on culturally responsive family engagement practices. For those who couldn't make it to Rantoul, we're sharing the packed resource doc with you now! docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Thank you to all the educators, administrators, education leaders, parents, partners and elected officials in Illinois and beyond who advocated for these important funds for our schools and communities to be released. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/25/t...

In case no one told you today,

Love this idea from @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social at EmpowerCon — “No” cards. Creating cards & affirmations that celebrate students putting in effort, like trying out for a team, even if they weren’t successful.

Next week, our all-new round of in-person workshops for parents and BPAC members begins! Join us at the West Lawn Library to get informed and connect with other parents. Sessions available in English & Spanish, and all are welcome!

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Lau vs. Nichols, a landmark case that enshrined language access in the classroom for English learners. This EdSource podcast looks at the impact of that ruling through the lens of a teacher, & is worth a listen. edsource.org/podcast/educ...

Although Congress appropriated $890 million in Title III funds for FY25, the U.S. Department of Education has not yet allocated these funds to the states. The time is now to act. Let's show up for our schools and communities, together. irc.thecenterweb.org/all-hands-on...

Special thanks to NABE for their informative press conference yesterday regarding the Withholding of Title III Funds. They shared many thoughts, ideas, and resources. Witholding these *congressionally approved* funds is already making a HUGE NEGATIVE IMPACT docs.google.com/document/d/1...

WE SHOULD ALL CARE ABOUT TITLE III DOLLARS BEING WITHHELD. This directly impacts how we're able to serve & support multilingual learners in our schools and communities. GET INFORMED, GET CONNECTED, GET ACTIVE!

REMINDER: Please contact your members of Congress TODAY to demand the disbursement of Title III federal funds to support ELs! We've linked a tool to make emailing them easy. irc.thecenterweb.org/take-action-...

Celebrating three years of CSEL! Silvia Rogel shared the impact of our Computer Science for Every Learner initiative with educators & stakeholders & how this work promotes equity, opportunity & innovation for MLs. Thanks to Sen. Omar Aquino for supporting this work as well!

We need all hands on deck to ensure Title III funding reaches our schools and communities. These funds support important services & training for EL students, families, & educators. The deadline for releasing these funds is Tuesday, 7/1. Contact your reps today! irc.thecenterweb.org/take-action-...

As school breaks for summer, please also spread the word about how families can find the closest Summer Meals site. Call the Illinois Hunger Coalition’s Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163, visit the USDA's Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder, or visit We Got You Illinois. wegotyouillinois.org/programs/

Calling all parents and caregivers! Join us next month at the West Lawn library for the start of our series of supportive, informative conversations for parents & caregivers. English & Spanish sessions available; all are welcome!

Calling all front office staff! Our Becoming Multilingual Champions series returns next month with an all new webinar on how to administer, use and understand the Home Language Survey to best support multilingual students and families! RSVP on our website.

“Four Games For Vocabulary Development” larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2025/06/18/f...

Sooooo excited to be a part of the MABE hELLo Podcast!!! I deeply love the MABE community and it was so fun to chat about my book releasing this month!! fast.wistia.net/embed/channe...

Greetings from beautiful New Mexico! IRC Specialists @maestraolivia.bsky.social & Rachell Plote had a wonderful time presenting and connecting with educators at the @dlenm.bsky.social Translanguaging Summer Institute, and Olivia delivered a powerful keynote. Thank you DLeNM for having us!

Throughout Pride Month and year-round, we are proud to share resources to support and affirm LGBTQ+ multilingual students and educators, like this helpful guide to inclusive Spanish: storylearning.com/learn/spanis...

Throughout the summer and beyond, we will continue to share resources for advocating for students & families of immigrant backgrounds, including our resource bank and the one-stop-shop created by ICIRR. www.illinoisimmigrationinfo.org irc.thecenterweb.org/supporting-a...

@mrsspinasclass.bsky.social is on ELLevation's Higher Aspirations podcast! In this compelling conversation, she talks about how her upbringing shaped her deep commitment to ELs, along with her impactful work at the IRC and the philosophies behind her books. ellevationeducation.com/podcast/igni...

A must-read about the newly-passed bill expanding dual language programs in Illinois, featuring important perspectives from our partners at Illinois State Board of Education and the Latino Policy Forum: www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...

Proud team alert! @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social has published a powerful new article in the spring 2025 Illinois ASCD Journal, about the importance of language access and linguistic justice and how everyone is responsible for a linguistically inclusive school community. issuu.com/ilascdpublis...

We could not be more excited that the IRC's own @maestraolivia.bsky.social will be keynote speaker at DLeNM's Summer Institute on translanguaging! Her passion for responsive, affirming translanguaging pedagogy shines. Learn more about the institute: www.dlenmsummerinstitute.org/translanguag...

A busy & fulfilling day with our parent leaders over the weekend! More than 1,100 Illinois parents came together to learn about know your rights info, higher education & workforce development, school board involvement, student mental health & so much more. See you next year for the 20th Summit!

From Champaign to Carbondale, Effingham to East St. Louis, we are here for you. Our Downstate Directors networking group is here to connect educators from Central and Southern Illinois, share resources & build community! Contact Rachell Plote or visit our website if you're interested in joining!

Our educator wellness online community meetings return next week! Join us for a virtual space for grounding and de-stressing in a supportive environment of educators just like you. Bring your art supplies, get comfy and join us.

Tomorrow, April 1st, is the first day of National Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month! We've compiled a jam-packed calendar full of ways to take action, advocate and celebrate multilingual students! irc.thecenterweb.org/april-is-nat...

Just a few weeks left to register for the 19th Annual Statewide Bilingual Parents Summit! This educational day will feature presentations on higher education, parent advocacy, immigration and community issues and much more. Visit our website to register your district!

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Our friends at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago (JCCC) are accepting applications for their Student Development and Achievement Grants! Schools and organizations in Chicagoland can earn up to $10,000. www.jccc-chi.org/en/grant-pro...

World Poetry Day Is On March 21st – Here Are Teaching & Learning Resources larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2025/03/10/w...

Educators are often piled with many expectations and responsibilities that result in feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. So we're introducing a new online space to find community and take some intentional rest. Visit our website to register.

No matter what your day as a multilingual educator looks like, it's better when you don't have to face it alone. That's why we're launching a new virtual community for IL multilingual educators. Join us!

"As a language educator, I know, and research shows, that embracing all languages enriches schools, communities and businesses... Speaking Spanish and other languages in the U.S. must be a point of orgullo — pride — not a cause of terror." digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/infinity/art...

If you are struggling with stress, overwhelm or burnout as an educator, you are not alone. Join the IRC and Jessica Kim, LSW, for a free session unpacking trauma and strategies for what to do when you are feeling overwhelmed in your role. lnkd.in/gpX5RTju

Our Computer Science for Every Learner summer programs are open! Prepare students for top jobs, gain strategies for incorporating computer science in your curriculum, earn a generous stipend and so much more: lnkd.in/gn22nE5b

We love how much @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social loves the Puppy Bowl and these free printables for a fun classroom activity!

This winter, join the IRC for two free virtual Admin Academies focused on multilingual learners! Gain strategies for improving programming instruction and support for ELLs in your district while earning PD credit! irc.thecenterweb.org/professional...

Guidance for school secretaries and front office staff.

We continue to affirm that students of all backgrounds and immigration statuses have a right to a free public education and deserve a school that is a safe haven. Visit our website for resources for educators & families. irc.thecenterweb.org/supporting-a...

Who said PD had to be dry? It's a loud, joyful and bustling morning at the IRC as Michele Yanong led dozens of educators through a workshop about unlocking the power for dialogue and engagement in a noisy classroom! Teachers collaborated, laughed and shared some cool make and take projects!