The first weeks of school can be filled with uncertainty for many students. For multilingual learners entering an unfamiliar school community, some challenging moments can occur in places educators don’t always think about—on the bus, in the cafeteria, and after school. I asked multilingual learners what would have helped when …
At the start of a new school year, this article reimagines teacher evaluation as a strengths-based continuum that centers educator agency and builds on the strengths of students and educators.
Discover practical, strengths-based strategies for supporting multilingual learners facing adversity while fostering belonging, engagement, resilience, and high expectations.
The words and expressions we assume everyone understands can unintentionally create barriers. By choosing language more intentionally—and explaining unfamiliar expressions—we can make communication more accessible, inclusive, and support
What can appear to be student disengagement may actually be a search for connection. A powerful exchange with school resource officers offers an important reminder of how relationships can help us better understand multilingual learners and strengthen their sense of belonging.
Multilingual learners facing adversity may develop strengths that are not always visible in school. A strengths-based approach helps educators recognize these capacities and create conditions for belonging, agency, learning, and opportunity.
When children experience fear and uncertainty, learning and well-being are affected. Educators can respond by listening, protecting students’ dignity and safety, and creating the conditions children need to learn.
Word walls are most effective when they go beyond isolated vocabulary. By identifying and teaching the terms, words, idioms, phrases, and sentence structures students need, educators can strengthen language, participation, and learning.
In this podcast, Tan Huynh speaks with Lydia Breiseth and Debbie Zacarian about the laws and policies that shape multilingual learner education and how educators can translate legal requirements into effective programs and practices.
How can educators help multilingual learners develop empowerment, agency, and resilience? A strengths-based approach creates identity-safe environments where students can recognize their strengths, exercise their voices and choices, and develop the confidence to navigate challenges.
