Fall Institute

Dr. Sonia Soltero

Friday: Featured session and afternoon workshop

Dr. Sonia Soltero is Professor and Chair of the Department of Leadership, Language, and Curriculum, former Director of the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Graduate Program at DePaul University, and former dual language public school teacher and program coordinator in Chicago Public Schools and in Tucson Unified School District. Soltero has numerous publications on bilingual and dual language education as well as Latino education, her latest book is titled Dual Language Education: Program Design and Implementation. She has been involved in dual and bilingual education for more than thirty-five years as a dual language teacher, university professor, researcher, professional developer, and advocate. In addition, she has served on numerous international, national, and state education boards and commissions. Soltero as extensive background in the design and implementation of dual language, bilingual education, and ESL programs and has worked with school districts across the US and abroad.

FRIDAY MORNING FEATURED SESSION: A Biliteracy Blueprint for Success: Culturally Embedded Programmatic Pathways and Pedagogical Practices

In this session we examine the elements of a comprehensive biliteracy blueprint that lay the right foundations and conditions for students to develop high levels of biliteracy over time. Key areas include increasing understanding of biliteracy and bilingual development; creating a biliteracy instructional plan that includes both native and second language curriculum; using integrated and meaning-based instructional practices; adopting appropriate and culturally relevant instructional materials and assessments; using authentic literature; meaning-centered instructional approaches that engage students’ languages, heritages, and new cultures; and developing foundational literacy skills that are always embedded in meaning.

TWO HOUR WORKSHOP: Activate the Magic of Bilingualism: Metabilingual Awareness and Cross-Linguistic Connections

Join me in exploring the fascinating intersectionality between multilingual learners’ languages and how to leverage these connections through deliberate classroom instruction.  This session highlights the intersectionality between paired language systems, their shared and distinct features, and the intertwined nature of language and culture in biliteracy development. We discuss the critical role that intentional metabilingual and metacultural awareness instruction plays in developing strong biliterate students. And we explore how to integrate Spanish-English cross-linguistic and cross-cultural literacy characteristics and strategies through authentic language and literacy classroom experiences.

Dr. Kristin Percy Calaff

Saturday Featured Session

Dr. Kristin Percy Calaff is the Executive Director of Multilingual & Migrant Education for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has over 30 years of experience as a dual language teacher, principal, district administrator, adjunct professor, and state leader. Kristin holds a Ph.D. in Multilingual/Multicultural Education and is dedicated to expanding dual, heritage, and Tribal language programs and ensuring equity for multilingual learners.

SATURDAY MORNING FEATURED SESSION: Dual Language for All: Transforming Education in Washington State

Washington State’s Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, and state legislature have committed to supporting all districts to develop dual language programs, but what will it take to make this transformation happen? In this session, we will unpack this lofty goal and learn about what concrete steps need to be taken to not only spread dual language across the state but also to ensure that every dual language program is delivering on the promise to transform the educational experiences of students to build a multilingual, multiliterate Washington.