In recent keynotes, I have found myself paying closer attention to the words and expressions I use. It has reminded me how easily I can unintentionally exclude people, not through my intentions, but through the language I assume everyone understands. How often do any of us assume that everyone understands …
College rarely prepares teachers, administrators, and other school professionals to work with children and youth who have experienced trauma, particularly those living under the constant fear of family separation. Yet across the country, educators are increasingly being asked to navigate the very real effects of fear, instability, and uncertainty on …
In this episode, Tan Huynh interviews Colorín Colorado’s Lydia Breiseth and Dr. Debbie Zacarian, Ed.D., about the guide Serving Multilingual Learners: Laws, Policies, and Regulations. Written by Dr. Zacarian, the guide explains the federal, state, and local laws that shape the education of multilingual learners and provides practical, reader-friendly guidance …
Debbie Zacarian and Becki Cohn-Vargas Yorleni is a fourth grader who moved to New York from Nicaragua. At enrollment, her parents express concern about Yorleni. They share that Yorleni has been deeply affected by the recent death of her brother from cancer and has become much quieter. As educators, we …
Many multilingual learners (MLs) and their families face significant challenges and barriers that highlight the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on vulnerable students. Failing to recognize the adversities that our MLs and their families are experiencing can limit our ability to support them effectively. Even with knowledge, we …
Do you have questions about the laws and regulations for educating multilingual learners? The new resource, Serving Multilingual Learners: Laws, Policies, and Regulations (2025), is here to help! It provides a clear and accessible summary of federal laws, including ten common compliance issues highlighted in the 2015 Dear Colleague Letter …
by Becki Cohn-Vargas and Debbie Zacarian For too long, many children have faced barriers that undermine their sense of safety, belonging, value, and competence, as well as their confidence to speak up for themselves and others. Examples include children who are teased about their race, gender identity, the languages they …
“Identity Safe Spaces at Home and School,” by Becki Cohn-Vargas and Debbie Zacarian, is a critical resource addressing educational inequity. The book integrates research with practical tools to support inclusive environments for diverse students. Emphasizing home-school collaboration, it offers strategies for fostering trust, empathy, autonomy, and resilience in classrooms.
On September 19th at 7 PM EDT, Citizens for Public Education’s Multilingual Education in MA will host a webinar titled “Learning from the Past and Present to Empower Future Learners.” This is the first of three virtual sessions exploring multilingual education in Massachusetts. Register here. Panelists include Roger Rice, a lawyer …
I am excited to share that Identity Safe Spaces at Home and School: Partnering to Overcome Inequity, co-written with Dr. Becki Cohn-Vargas, has been released nation-wide. Several people have asked how to spread the word about the book. Here are some activities to do if you would like. Please share …
