Language Learning Symposium 2025: Full Schedule

6:20pm PDT

Adapted Text for Engaged Reading with Newcomers

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

What does engaged reading look like for newcomers? Join our presentation to learn more about how our ML teachers adapted texts and embedded routines in their lesson plans to increase ML student engagement. Participants will walk away with practical ways to increase ML student engagement as well as how to increase academic gains in English language acquisition and literacy.

Speakers

Amber Keppel

Secondary School Based Specialist – ML Coordinator, Highline Public Schools

Amber Keppel has been in education for 30 years. She brings a wide expanse of experience from K-12. Amber received her M.Ed. in ELL from Seattle University and has been a Language Learning Specialist and ML Coordinator in Highline since 2018.

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1130

Session 3, Secondary

6:20pm PDT

Afghan Culture and Challenges in the U.S.

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

Room 1140

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Speakers

Sweetra Fazly

Maryam Yaquobi

Rabia Naseeri

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1140

Session 3, K-12

6:20pm PDT

Boosting Multilingual Learners’ Writing & Attitudes with Small Group Intervention

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

Room 1120 (library)

Come learn how I boosted multilingual learners' writing production and attitudes on writing in a six-session intervention! My goal was to raise 5th graders' confidence and skill before they took the WIDA ACCESS.

Speakers

Kristina Nicchi

School-Based Specialist, Highline Public Schools

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1120 (library)

Session 3, Elementary

6:20pm PDT

Bridging Language Proficiency and Recognition: Supporting Learners on the Path to the Seal of Biliteracy

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

Room 1210

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Speakers

Mary Orozco

Central Office Specialist, Highline Public Schools

Mary supports secondary World Language teachers with instructional strategies, curriculum resources and professional development opportunities. Contact Mary with questions about the World Language Credit by Proficiency test, as well as secondary World Language programs.

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1210

Session 3, Secondary

6:20pm PDT

Centering ML Data in Secondary PLCs for Engaged Reading

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

Room 1220

Do you want to learn ways to scaffold grade-level text for various levels of MLs? We spent three months working closely with a PLC focusing on centering ML data, and we want share what we learned with you. In this interactive session, participants will engage in the planning process that resulted from centering ML data in a PLC: text analysis, formative assessment, and responsive scaffolding. While this session is mostly centered on the teacher planning moves that resulted from our action research, components of leadership moves and conditions for successful PLCs will also be included, making this an ideal session for teachers who want to support their ML students in core classes, as well as teacher leaders, principals, and other building leaders who would like to strengthen PLCs.

Speakers

Jessica Fishman

School-Based Specialist, Highline Public Schools

Jessica was very fortunate to spend four years as a 6th Grade Reading & Writing teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary. She is currently transitioning to 7th Grade Reading & Writing at Glacier Middle School. Throughout her years at McMicken, she was fortunate to focus purely on literacy... Read More →

Karen Boucher

Secondary Literacy Specialist, Highline Public Schools

I'm a secondary literacy specialist with ML certification and teaching background at Highline Public Schools (Seattle WA).

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1220

Session 3, Secondary

6:20pm PDT

El Dictado: Supporting Multilingual Learners' Bilingual Writing Skills

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

Room 1240

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Speakers

Roxana Ramos Martinez

School-Based Specialist, Highline Public Schools

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1240

Session 3, Elementary

6:20pm PDT

Increasing GLAD Implementation through Intentional Model Teaching

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT

Room 1260

Come learn how intentional model teaching of specific GLAD strategies can increase GLAD implementation, and support better outcomes for students!

Speakers

Katie Sachter

Central Office Specialist, Highline Public Schools

Katie Sachter, NBCT, is a Language Learning Specialist and OCDE Project GLAD™ trainer for the Highline School District. She helps elementary teachers support their multilingual learners in literacy and math, and has led professional development on the WIDA standards framework, instructional... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 6:20pm - 6:55pm PDT
Room 1260

Session 3, Elementary