Equipping ELLs

Are you currently co-teaching, preparing for co-teaching, or maybe just hoping some day your school will adopt this effective model for reaching ELLs? In this episode, Beth interviews guest, Leslie Tomanovich. Leslie is an ENL (English as a New Language) teacher in New York. After years of teaching with the pull-out method, the state of New York changed their ENL laws and required instruction for ENL students to be co-taught. Leslie shares about her experience transitioning to co-teaching. She also contrasts different program methods, and she shares great practical advice for any teacher of ELLs! Related Resources: Printable Co-Teacher Survey Join the Equipping ELLs membership Shop TpT resources for ELLs

You've learned the pros and cons of a variety of program models, but which is the most effective for reaching your ELLs? While one school may have students in a full immersion program, other schools are using the pull-out approach. It is important to know the different methods available when teaching ELLs, and you may have more power than you realize when it comes to choosing an instructional model for your English language learners. In this episode, I will break down 5 common instructional program models. After highlighting the pros and cons of each, I'll give my insights as to which model I believe to be most effective for helping our ELLs succeed. And, as always, you'll leave today's episode with practical tips for your teacher toolbox! Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs membership Shop TpT resources for ELLs

Are you a paraprofessional, wondering how best to support your ELLs? Or are you a classroom teacher that knows you are underutilizing the paraprofessionals in your building? We are right in the middle of a series called Small Steps to Success for ELLs! Throughout this series, we are encouraging every person in our schools, from the front office to the cafeteria, to take vital steps to help support our English language learners. We know when each person does this, you will see positive change! Today we are talking about the role of paraprofessionals. We believe paraprofessionals are a vital piece of the school and a huge key to helping our ELLs find success. In this episode, I am sharing how I got my start in education as a paraprofessional and how my experience was invaluable to my continued career in educating ELLs. I'll share with you 5 ways paraprofessionals can support ELLs, hoping to give you concrete steps you can take this week with your students! Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs membership Grab the Newcomers Bundle (scripted lessons, great for small groups!)

If you’re a homeroom teacher, the thought of figuring out how to support ELL students in your classroom may be completely overwhelming. I know this because I’ve been there. When I was a homeroom teacher, I didn’t support my English language learners very well. As we are working on taking small steps to make a big impact on our ELL students, I want to share four shifts that homeroom teachers can make to ensure our ELLs are being set up to thrive in our classrooms. Most homeroom teachers want to help their ELL students be successful but don’t know where to start. I want to equip homeroom teachers with easy shifts they can make to help the English language learners in the classroom. I am sharing why it is crucial to see the ELL students in your classroom as your own students, how to use the ESL teacher as a coach, why starting with clear benchmarks and milestones is so important, and how learning new scaffolds is beneficial for all your students. Related Resources: Writing Language Objectives Webinar Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/support-ells-in-homeroom-classroom

There are so many important positions in every school but sometimes it can be challenging to understand just what each person does and does not do. As ESL teachers, we may have come across some misconceptions that other staff members have about us and our role. We all want to work together as best as possible so that we can help our ELL students be successful. In order to do that, we may need to help other staff members understand what it is that we do and how we help our students. It is so important that ESL teachers and homeroom teachers are on the same page when it comes to helping our ELL students. There may be assumptions made from both sides simply because there isn’t a clear understanding of each teacher’s position. If we can address these assumptions, we can work better together to provide a high quality learning experience for our students which is everyone’s goal! In this episode, I am sharing five reminders to help in building a relationship between ESL and homeroom teachers, where these misconceptions may come from, and how to move past them to best serve ELL students. Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/wish-homeroom-teachers-knew

We know how important it is for us to make our new ELLs feel welcome and comfortable but how can we help their families feel supported? There can be so much confusion for families as they are adjusting to living in a new country, learning a new school system, and understanding different offerings and options that are available. Our guest, Janna Adams, is sharing ways that we can help our ELL families overcome some of these hindrances. In today’s episode, we are chatting with Janna about some things she has implemented that have made a huge impact on getting ELL families more involved in school and the community. She is sharing her teaching experience and how she became an ESL teacher, why it is so important to engage ELL families in the school setting, ways ESL teachers can help connect these families to the school and community, and the difference she has seen with engagement after implementing these things. Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/schools-create-welcoming-environment

Understanding where our students come from and who they are is so important to ensuring we are providing them with an environment where they feel welcome and respected. This may mean dismantling some assumptions we have about different countries and really trying to understand the countries they are coming from and the specific areas they are coming from. Margarita Pearce is joining us today to share her unique perspective and provide some insight and tips for ESL teachers. In this episode, Margarita is sharing what it was like growing up in Panama and her experience working with the U.S. Embassy in Panama and the Fullbright Program. We are diving into ways teachers can ensure that newcomers feel comfortable in their new school, why you should consider the challenges their families face and find ways to support them in understanding the school system, and tips for how teachers can create an environment that fosters success. Margarita Pearce was born and raised at the crossroads of the world, the Republic of Panama.  My education includes a Master in Business Administration and a Bachelors Degree in Biology both from universities in the U.S.A.  I also have TESOL certificate and I am completing my TEFL certification.  My teaching experience includes in-person and online ESL tutoring.  My background also includes counseling, student recruitment, and program management for universities in the U.S.A. Related Resources: Grab a copy of “Home Is in Between” by Mitali Perkins Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/cultural-crash-course

As ESL teachers, we are especially aware of how important it is for our ELL students to feel welcome, respected, and safe. Because of this, creating a culturally competent school environment is so important. Our guest today, Jocelynn Hubbard, is sharing how all teachers, admin, and staff play a huge role in creating this culturally competent environment for our students. Creating a culturally responsive environment takes effort from all staff members to not only learn new things, but to unlearn some biases they may unknowingly have. Knowing how to transform our school environment into one that is respectful and welcoming to all cultures can seem intimidating. Luckily Jocelynn is here to help us begin this process! In this episode, Jocelynn is sharing her experience in education and how she is helping schools now, what culturally responsive teaching is and why it is so important, how to develop cultural competency as a school, and actionable ways we can begin to transform our schools to be more culturally competent. Jocelynn Hubbard helps teachers spark joy during the learning experience by creating an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment for ALL their students. She is the founder and managing director of Custom Teaching Solutions, LLC and host of The Culture-Centered Classroom podcast. She has 16+ years of experience in education as an educator, speaker, professional development creator and facilitator. Driven by a passion to see the diverse people of our world feel welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated, she provides training on becoming and remaining culturally competent. As a wife and mother of five, her goals include squeezing in time for exercise, finding moments of joy each day, and parenting each of her children as unique individuals. Related Resources: Grab your FREE “5 Ways to Create an Inclusive Classroom” guide Kickstart Your Culturally Responsive Teaching Course The Culture Centered Teacher Training Workshops for Schools Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/culturally-competent-school

Have you been asked to provide training to the staff on supporting ELLs but have no idea what you could present on? I see people asking all the time what they can do to provide training or PD to their school staff on supporting ELLs. If you’ve been there, I’ve got you! I am sharing 12 ideas for PD training you can feel confident sharing with teachers. You may be thinking that you are still trying to figure out how to best support your ELLs so there is no way you could train others. Remember, YOU are the expert! We want to inspire and encourage staff to see how easy it is for them to support their ELLs and who better to do that than you? In this episode, we are diving into different topics you can steal for a presentation, training, or PD mini series. We are covering 12 topics that can help teachers just beginning to support ELLs through the advanced level teacher, ideas for how to present on these topics, and three ways you can support homeroom teachers without having to give a presentation. Related Resources: Grab your presentation template Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/pd-topics

Do you ever feel like you are solely responsible for supporting your English language learners? That responsibility is NOT just yours. We are continuing our Small Steps to Success series by looking at what role administrators play in supporting ELLs. Today we are joined by Maria Montroni-Currais who is sharing her insights on how administrators can impact English language learners. In this episode, we are looking at how ELL teachers and administrators can work collaboratively to support their ELLs. Maria is sharing her expertise in her role as an administrator, how she as an administrator advocates for ELLs, why knowing the bilingual code in your state is so important, how to approach administrators when advocating for ELLs, and what success looks like for multilingual learners. Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/administrators-can-impact-ells

Have you ever stopped to really think about what success looks like for your ELL students? Are you only gauging the success of your students based on if they are proficient in English or not? Defining what success looks like for your students is critical to ensuring your students experience successes and feel confident throughout their English language journey, not just when they are proficient or test out of language support services. Learning a new language is tiring and can be super frustrating. If we are limiting our students’ opportunities for success, they may want to give up when things get difficult. Today, we are diving into the question, “How do you define success for your ELL students?” We are looking at why it is so important to define success, how to determine milestones that can be used to mark success, why it’s crucial to have appropriate expectations, why you should set up pathways to success, and examples of milestones for these pathways. Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/change-how-you-teach-ells

Coming back from winter break is the perfect time to restart and refresh things in order to make the most of the second half of the year. I know this year, and the past few years, have been incredibly stressful and exhausting and the thought of doing a refresh may be overwhelming. I totally get that! I want to help you finish the year strong so I am sharing five easy things for you to restart to make the most of the second half of the school year. At this point in the school year, you’re likely tired, burnt out, and just want to make it to the end of the school year. But I want you to think about how happy you’ll be in June if you try some of these things now and the rest of the school year goes smoother because of it. When you return from break, I challenge you to restart your mindset, classroom management, attitude, lesson planning routine, and confidence in order to make the most of the year from now until June. Related Resources: Lesson Planning Webinar Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/ways-to-restart-the-year

We all want to support our ELLs as best as possible but some of the things we are doing could actually be inhibiting their growth. As teachers, we are doing our best to figure out what our students need in order to be successful. Unfortunately, some of our efforts could be an unnecessary waste of time. If you’re confused about what ELLs actually need and what they don’t, you’re not alone! We want to be sure that what we are doing is helping our students and stop doing anything that isn’t helping (or even hindering) their English language learning. In this episode, I am sharing why you should stop translating everything into your students’ native languages, how to stop planning for every single group, and how to effectively scaffold for our ELLs because they don’t learn the same as native speakers. Related Resources: Close Reading Passages Freebie: To Translate or Not Chart How to use a QR Code Canva Pixabay FREE Newcomer Welcome Kit Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/stop-doing-with-ells

Are you trying everything you can think of and your ELLs still aren’t making progress? When I talk to teachers whose students aren’t making growth, there is one common thread across the board. Doubt. The good news is that doubt is a reflection of our mindset so if we can fix our mindset, we can help out ELLs make more growth. If you’ve ever doubted that you are doing what’s best for your ELL students or if you flip flop your plans every week because you aren’t sure if what you’re doing is working, it might be beneficial to check where your mindset is at. In this episode, I am talking about 3 mindset shifts that are key to supporting your ELLs. We are looking at why self-efficacy is important, taking a look at how we approach our ELL students, and how to overcome overwhelm by keeping it simple. Related Resources: Join the Equipping ELLs Membership Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs For all links and resources, check out the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/ells-arent-making-growth/

Does the thought of being observed by your admin make you panic a little bit? I think it’s safe to say most teachers don’t love observations. They cause extra stress and nervousness no matter how amazing of a teacher you are. If you’re dreading an upcoming observation, don’t worry! I am sharing five tips to help your observation lesson run smoothly so you can showcase just how lucky your students are to have you! Preparing for an observation doesn’t have to be stressful. In an observation, you are showing off how great of a teacher you are, so you’re likely already doing many things that will help you rock your observation. Still feeling nervous? I’m sharing five tips to help you prepare for your observation lesson including sticking with activities your students have done before, simplifying your lessons to avoid overdoing it, covering multiple domains in your lesson, incorporating sensory tools to engage students, and being clear on the purpose of your lesson. Monthly Speaking and Writing Cards Close Reading and Writing Passages Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit  Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/observation-lessons

What do you do when you have a love/hate relationship with technology but you know there are amazing tools that will help your ELLs learn? You find simple tech tools! I am sharing 5 of my favorite tech tools that provide students amazing support that will help them succeed and soar. In this episode, we are covering really simple but powerful ways we can better support our ELL students through the use of technology. There are amazing tech tools out there that we can utilize without having to worry about the added stress of students getting locked out of sites or forgetting passwords! Today, I am sharing a Chrome extension that makes creating voice notes simple, two extension options that read the text aloud to students, a great podcast to help with listening comprehension, and 2 websites that help bring a visual component to learning vocabulary. Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/new-tech-tools-to-try/

Do you dread prepping your students for Access testing every year? I think it’s safe to say we all do. What if I told you there is a way to prep without taking precious time away from giving students the support they actually need? Toss the test prep packets because I am sharing 5 fun ways you can prepare for Access testing starting right now. We want to prepare our students for Access testing in a way that is beneficial to them outside of just the test. How can we do that? We embed preparing for Access testing into our lessons and daily routines! In this episode, I am sharing the importance of giving students plenty of opportunities to talk, why you should model expectations for thinking through questions, how to consistently use academic vocabulary, why you should have students practice speaking into the computer, and the benefit of talking about goal setting all year long. Speaking and Writing Cards Test Prep Speaking Digital Cards New Test Prep Resource Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/prepare-for-access-testing

Thanksgiving in the U.S. is right around the corner which means it’s the perfect time to look at why we should be thankful that we get the privilege to teach our English language learners. At this point in the year, you may be feeling tired and overwhelmed so I want to remind you why we are so fortunate to be able to work with amazing ELL students. Teaching is not easy and there are so many things that are put on teachers, especially these past few years, that make some days really hard. If we can pause and remember why we got into teaching and why we love working with ELLs, it can help us get through those hard days. In this episode, I am sharing five reasons we are so fortunate to teach ELLs including getting to teach a global community right in our classroom, how we are impacting more than just our students’ lives, why our ELL students are especially resilient, how lucky we are that we get to learn about new cultures all the time, and how amazing it is to see our students grow so much. Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/thankful-you-teach-ells

Have you heard about the new, hot topic, translanguaging? If not, don’t worry! Today we are talking all about it! Tevia Tovares is joining us today to share her experience with translanguaging and how she encourages translanguaging in the classroom. We know how important it is to create a safe, comfortable, and inclusive atmosphere for our ELLs. In order to do this, we must allow our students opportunities to express themselves both in English and in their native language. This is exactly what our guest, Tevia, is sharing with us today. In this episode, we are talking about how Tevia creates a welcoming classroom atmosphere, what translanguaging is and why it's important, and how to start encouraging translanguaging in your classroom. Tevia Tovares is a third generation teacher who has been in the classroom 20 years.  She holds a Master's in International Education, is a member of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network and is currently teaching 5th grade at the Metropolitan School of Panama where she has been teaching for 10 years.  She loves learning about new things and challenging herself.  In her spare time she enjoys quality time with her husband, family and friends, as well as baking, acting, and gardening. Translanguaging Resources Translanguaging with MultiLingual Students Book Ofelia Garcia on Translanguaging Video Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/translanguaging-affirms-ell-identity

Do you know what stage of language acquisition your ELL students are in and how to support them in that stage? Understanding the stages and knowing where your students are at is so important in helping them successfully learn the English language. Cris Howard is joining us today to share her extensive knowledge on language acquisition and its importance. Keeping the stages of language acquisition in mind when we are teaching our ELLs is key to helping them understand and retain the language. Cris is sharing some incredibly helpful insight on language acquisition with us. She is covering her experience teaching English, what language acquisition is and why it matters, why it is important for teachers to understand this approach, what the steps of language acquisition are, and tips on how to teach students at each stage. Cris Howard is from Brazil and speaks three languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish. She worked as an EFL teacher for 14 years in Brazil, and as a Family Education ESL teacher in the US for a few years before working as an ELL teacher for the past 7 years in a Southern Indiana district, and as Adjunct Professor for the ENL program at Indiana University Southeast for the past 5 years. She loves languages, Applied Linguistics, teaching Multilingual Learners and connecting with other educators on Twitter. Cris’ “How Languages Are Learned” YouTube Playlist Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/language-acquisition

Holiday season is upon us in the U.S. which means it’s a great opportunity to improve our ELLs’ English language using seasonal vocabulary. We can take advantage of the season and use the excitement of the holidays to engage our students and really work on their English skills. Today, I am sharing some activities I wish I would have done to take full advantage of the holidays with my ELLs. We’ve all tied the holidays into our lessons by teaching vocabulary, playing seasonal vocabulary games, or using word searches. But are these activities making the best use of our time with our students? In this episode, we are looking at alternative activity options to be more intentional with our instructional time while still bringing in the excitement of the holidays for our students. We are covering ideas for teaching holiday vocabulary in context, the importance of including students’ native language when teaching holiday vocabulary, using discussion prompts in your lessons, and how to help your students feel included in your classroom and connected to the holidays. Check out more holiday resources here ESL Christmas & Holidays Around the World ELL Vocabulary Flashcards: Valentine's Day ESL | ESL Conversation Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/holidays-to-improve-english-skills

Are you looking to create a culture of reading at your school and with your ELLs? We all know that reading opens so many doors for our students but getting them to read can be a struggle. Today I am joined by high school librarian Terrie Sharp, who is sharing how she helped create a culture of learning in her school. There can be many obstacles in getting ELL students and emergent bilingual students to read but it is so important that we help them become readers. Terrie saw there was a need to make reading more accessible to the students in her high school in order to help them develop their reading skills. In this episode, Terrie is sharing her background and current role, what the Cowboys Read! program is and how it got started, how the program created a culture of reading in the school, and what’s next for the program. Terrie is celebrating almost 30 years as an educator at McCollum high school in San Antonio, Texas. She began her career as an English teacher and taught all levels, from IS to AP and everything in between. Her love of books and reading inspired her to make a change 15 years ago and became the librarian at McCollum. Inspired by students, Terrie has developed the Cowboys Read! program to promote reading without restrictions tied to checking books out of the library. Terrie enjoys how different every year can be at the best job in the world, a librarian. Cowboys Read! program Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/culture-of-reading

I’m sure you’ve heard about the Science of Reading and maybe your school is pushing to incorporate it more into literacy lessons but you aren’t quite sure how to do that. You’re in luck! Today, we are continuing our conversation with Sara Marye about how to create skilled readers through literacy instruction and the Science of Reading. If you haven’t checked out last week’s episode, be sure to do that so you don’t miss out on the incredible information Sara shared with us! In this week’s episode, we are picking up right where we left off. Sara is sharing the remaining three elements of language comprehension, how to determine what to focus on first with your students, and her advice for teachers who want to focus more on language comprehension this year. Sara Marye has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She is now CEO of The Stellar Teacher Company and a literacy specialist passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world grow their students into lifelong readers. Sara’s mission is to make teachers’ lives a little easier by providing them with endless encouragement, effective strategies, and engaging no-fluff resources. Sara is also the host of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, where she loves to share her favorite literacy tips each week! FREEBIE: Word of the Week Routine [The Stellar Teacher Podcast] Episode 11: Create a Reading Block that Supports ELL Students with Beth Vaucher [The Stellar Teacher Podcast] Episode 85: What is The Science of Reading & Why is it Important? Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/creating-skilled-readers-2

The new “hot topic” in education this year is the Science of Reading. You may have heard about it or looked into it but aren’t sure how to incorporate it into your work with ELL students. Maybe you aren’t really sure what all the buzz is about. Sara Marye from The Stellar Teacher Company is joining us today to share her expertise about literacy and the Science of Reading. Sara has so much knowledge to share that we had to make this a two part episode! In this week’s episode we are talking about what the Science of Reading is and why it is important especially for ELL students, what challenges teachers face when helping students become skilled readers, and the first three elements of language comprehension. Sara Marye has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She is now CEO of The Stellar Teacher Company and a literacy specialist passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world grow their students into lifelong readers. Sara’s mission is to make teachers’ lives a little easier by providing them with endless encouragement, effective strategies, and engaging no-fluff resources. Sara is also the host of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, where she loves to share her favorite literacy tips each week! FREEBIE: Word of the Week Routine [The Stellar Teacher Podcast] Episode 11: Create a Reading Block that Supports ELL Students with Beth Vaucher [The Stellar Teacher Podcast] Episode 85: What is The Science of Reading & Why is it Important? The Reading Comprehension Blueprint by Nancy Hennessy Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/creating-skilled-readers

Disclaimer: the audio for this episode is not the best, but the content is so great that we still want you to hear it! There is a huge shift in how schools are teaching reading. They are moving away from Guided Reading and moving towards Science of Reading with a focus on phonics and phonemic awareness. Today, Aylin Claahsen is joining us to share her expertise on teaching younger students early literacy skills. Ensuring that our ELLs are receiving the best literacy instruction we can give them is so important and Aylin is sharing so much helpful information with us! We are covering what the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics is, where to begin with phonemic awareness and phonics instruction, how literacy instruction is changing with the shift to Science of Reading, and fun and engaging ways to teach phonics. Aylin is a certified reading specialist, literacy consultant and curriculum designer who loves sharing literacy tips for teaching readers. Specializing in Kindergarten-5th Grade, she can be found sharing literacy tips on her blog or social media at Literacy with Aylin Claahsen, or in her newsletter. Aylin has a huge passion for small group instruction as she’s seen the impact it has on readers of all ability levels. Writing engaging passages is one way that Aylin gets to connect with students and teachers all around the world. She believes that building confidence in readers is one of the most important things teachers can do. FREEBIE: Reading Intervention Mat  Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/fun-with-phonics

Reading can be a challenge for many students and it can be especially difficult for our ELL students. That’s why it is so important to systematically work on sight words with our students. Leslie Tomanovich is joining us today to share her experience and wisdom on teaching sight words to our ELL students. When it comes to reading, we want to find ways to reduce the cognitive load and frustration for our students. Sight words play a huge role in that. In today’s episode, Leslie and I are discussing the importance of sight words for our ELL students, the difference between sight words and high frequency words, effective techniques for teaching sight words, what orthographic mapping is and why it’s great for reading instruction, and Leslie’s routine for teaching sight words in her lessons. Leslie is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to teaching sight words and phonics to ELLs and she is sharing so much information with us today! Don’t forget to check out the sight word resource we’ve put together if you’re interested in seeing more of her routine and how to make sight word practice work for your students this year! Leslie Tomanovich has been teaching ELLs for over 10 years. She lives and works in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. She works with grades K-4, but specializes in the primary grades. Leslie has developed multi-modal sight word instructional routines and materials that are used by many teachers in her school district. She lives and works in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Sight word resource Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/sight-words

Working with our ELL students on social emotional learning is so important now more than ever. Between virtual learning, the pandemic, and any traumatic experiences they may have been through, they may need help with coping skills and that is where SEL  comes in. Today, we are getting some wonderful insight about the importance of SEL from our guest, Rachel Davis. Rachel is sharing all about social emotional learning. We are talking about the importance of SEL, easy to implement tips for incorporating SEL into the classroom, SEL lesson ideas, and how to support students who have been through trauma. Rachel has so much knowledge on SEL and helping students with their emotions and she is sharing tons of info with us so we can best help our ELLs! Rachel is the school counselor and curriculum designer behind Bright Futures Counseling. With nearly a decade of experience, a highly rated school counseling podcast, and an engaged online community, Rachel is passionate about helping school counselors increase their impact and advocate for their role. She resides in Costa Rica, and when she’s not working on her business you can find her at the beach playing with her toddler son! FREEBIE: Feelings Check Poster Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Shop TpT resources that help with supporting your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/incorporate-sel

Have you ever thought about trying out a different lesson planning process? Planning units and lessons based on language forms and functions may be a method that could really benefit your ELLs! Today, I have special guest, Kristen Vibas, joining us to talk about how she plans her lessons around different language functions and forms. In this episode, Kristen is giving us an inside look at what her role and lesson planning process looks like. She is sharing what her role in a very large district looks like, what she focuses on the first month of school,how she communicates with parents, and how she plans her instruction utilizing language forms and functions. Kristen Vibas is a K-6 elementary ESOL teacher living in Northern Virginia. She’s been teaching multilingual learners since 2005 in one of the country’s largest school districts. She enjoys each grade level, but is particularly fond of working with upper elementary newcomers. Kristen also loves creating educational resources that support English language development. She opened her TpT store, called “Kristen Vibas,” in 2012, and shortly afterwards started a blog called “A Walk in the Chalk.” Teaching Language Functions in the ESL Classroom TalkingPoints BrainPop Epic Books Reading A-Z Readworks.org Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/language-forms-and-functions

It seems like our ELL students are constantly taking assessments. They take them with us, for core classes, benchmarks, and the list goes on! But are these assessments helping to drive our instruction or are they just wasting time? Today, we are diving into how to better assess students authentically so that we can adjust our instruction to meet our students’ needs. We want our assessments to be more than just the mandatory state assessments. We want them to give us great insight so we can turn them into action. In this episode, we are looking at 5 different ways we can authentically assess our ELLs, why assessing in these ways is important, and ideas and tips on how to implement these assessments in your classroom. Grab your Generic Rubric FREEBIE here Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/assessment-to-drive-action

We all know that classroom management is crucial for a smooth school year. But where do you even start with classroom management, especially when you aren’t a homeroom teacher? Today, we are diving into how to get started with easy-to-implement strategies to help you have great classroom management this year! Classroom management begins with building relationships and trust with your students. In this episode, we are talking about the importance of having clear expectations, how to get your students to really buy into the classroom rules, why you should explicitly teach expectations, and how to implement the behavior side of classroom management. We want our students to thrive and strong relationships, clear expectations, and involvement in classroom agreements are all great ways to help our students! FREE Visual Chart - Classroom Management Strategies Whole Brain Teaching Whole Brain Teaching Games Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/classroom-management-tips

As we head into the start of another school year, we want to make sure that we are creating a welcoming place for our ELLs and newcomers right away. There always seems to be pressure to get started with assessments and lessons but it is so important to slow down the first few weeks of school. Sindy Bonilla is joining us today to talk about how she starts the school year so her students and families feel welcomed and safe. Today, we are talking about slowing down and creating a place of safety and comfort for ELL students. Sindy is sharing why building relationships with both students and parents is important, tips for building strong relationships starting day one, activities she loves to do the first couple weeks, and advice for working with refugee students and their families. Sindy Bonilla is an ESL & Spanish teacher for students K-8 in NJ. She has been teaching ELLs for 6 years. Sindy has worked with the International Rescue Committee to support and provide ESL instruction to refugee newcomers. Sindy is currently a student at Rowan University where she is working on her supervisor certification and completing a dual language certification program online with UCSanDiego. Sindy enjoys working with ELLs in the community and with their families. In her free time, Sindy enjoys watching sports and practicing yoga. ClassDojo Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit (includes a year long editable scope and sequence) Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/place-to-start-this-school-year

The first day of school is filled with so much excitement but can be full of stress and anxiety for our students. We all try to start the year off right by building relationships and community and often do this by using get-to-know-you activities or icebreakers. Unfortunately, these can cause unnecessary stress and create fear in students, especially ELLs. Today, we are looking at what we can do on those first days of school to build a safe and welcoming environment for all students. In this episode, we are looking at how to prevent creating an unsafe or unwelcoming experience for our students at the beginning of the school year. We are talking about how ELL students may feel when put on the spot, three questions to ask yourself as you prep activities for the first days of school, and three activities you can use to ensure your ELLs feel safe, welcome, and comfortable in your classroom. We want to make sure our students can be involved, having fun, and making connections without the added fear and anxiety that some ice breakers can cause. Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit (includes a year long editable scope and sequence) Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/activities-first-days-of-school

Do you feel like you are spending so much time planning lessons or that you’re on a hamster wheel of lesson planning? If that sounds like you, this episode is one you don’t want to miss! I am diving into three common problems I see when it comes to ESL teachers and lesson planning. In today’s episode, I am talking about one of the biggest stressors for ESL teachers - lesson planning. I am breaking down the three types of lesson planners and how to avoid spending all your time lesson planning, how having clear goals can ensure you are meeting each students’ needs, how to move away from planning only one day ahead and bringing your work home with you, and why you don’t need to plan different lessons for each grade and language level you work with. I am giving you examples and practical tips to reduce the stress of lesson planning and regain your time while still meeting your students’ needs! Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit (includes a year long editable scope and sequence) Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/lesson-planning-for-ells

Have you been curious what ESL teachers’ roles look like in other districts?  We are joined by special guest Jina Wood who is sharing what her role as the K-8 ESL teacher looks like in her district in Iowa. Jina gives us a look at her challenges and shares her tips on how she ensures her students’ needs are being met. In this episode, Jina talks about how she groups and supports her ELL students, how she prepares for the school year during the summer, why it’s important to advocate for both your students and yourself, and how she uses her special education background to best support her ELLs. Jina Wood has been teaching ELL for 7 years. Her current role is as the K-8 ESL Coordinator and Teacher at Cherokee Elementary and Middle Schools in rural Northwest Iowa. As an Iowa educator Jina is certified in K-12 Special Education, K-12 English as a Second Language, K-12 Reading, and holding a Masters in Professional Education.  She has worked in education for 18 years, starting as a para-educator and then working in 9-12 Special Education, K-12 ESL, and also is a part time professor for the Schools of Education and Special Education at a local university but she has found her passion to be her ESL work.  Jina and her husband have a busy blended family with 6 kids between them; 3 are now working full time, 2 are in college, and their youngest will be a high school senior this coming school year. Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit (includes a year long editable scope and sequence) Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/supporting-ells-in-k-8

How can you successfully support your K-4 ELLs in a very large district? Our special guest is sharing some insight! In this episode, Jen Ferreyra is giving us a glimpse into what her role as an ESL teacher looks like at her school. Today, Jen and I are talking about how she works with other teachers to provide the best support possible for her students. We are covering the challenges and benefits of teaching ELLs using a co-teaching model in the classroom, how she gets set up for the school year during the summer, and the importance of relationship building with teachers and families. Jennifer Ferreyra has been an educator for over 20 years. She has taught in multiple bilingual classroom models and has been an ESL teacher for eight years. Jennifer currently teaches ESL at the elementary level in the Framingham School District in Massachusetts. Jennifer has facilitated PD at not only the school, but the district level as well, focusing on how to best support ELs and the power of co-teaching. Jennifer has also presented at the MATSOL conference multiple times to fellow educators who also teach multilingual learners. Jennifer speaks Spanish fluently and is raising her two children to be biliterate with her husband. Jen shares why she loves the  Equipping ELLs community and membership! Interested in being part of this amazing community PLUS have access to lessons, activities, and tons of resources? Join us! We’d love to have you! Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit (includes a year long editable scope and sequence) Speaking and Listening Cards Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/supporting-ells-k-4

Are you wondering what teaching ELLs looks like in other schools or districts? Today, I am chatting with Karen Hartke to get some insight into what being an ESL teacher looks like for her and her district. Karen serves as both the only ESL teacher and the EL coordinator in her K-12 district which brings on unique challenges. In this episode, she is sharing with us what her role looks like, some tips and tricks for teaching ELLs, and the importance of building strong relationships with administration, classroom teachers, and support staff to best serve your students. Karen Hartke is currently a K-12 ESL teacher at Lakeview Independent School District in rural southwest Minnesota.  She has taught at the primary, intermediate, and upper elementary levels, as well as 7th and 8th grade mathematics.  Additionally, she has MN teaching certification in middle school Mathematics, K-12 English as a Second Language, K-12 Reading, K-6 Elementary, and a Masters in Educational Leadership.   She is also a parent of middle and high school age children. Karen shares how beneficial being part of the Equipping ELLs membership has been for her and her teaching. If you would like access to ready to use lessons and activities, tons of resources, and be part of an amazing and supportive community, join us! We would love to see you there! WIDA Can-Do Descriptors SIMPLIFIED! Speaking and Listening Cards Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/supporting-ells

Summer is flying by and we are finishing up our summer series, Successfully Setting Up for the School Year this Summer, by looking at how to prepare for our intermediate students. We want to be prepared so our classroom environment is one of trust, safety, support, and high standards. Today, we are looking at how to set up routines that help our intermediate students feel comfortable and confident in our classroom. In this episode, I am breaking down what to have set up to best support your intermediate ELL students so you aren’t burning out and working on lessons all the time. I am covering 5 different routines you can set up to support your ELL students, why these routines are beneficial, and tips on how to implement these routines. This week’s challenge is the last of the summer challenge inside the Facebook group. It’s not too late to complete the challenges and get entered to win the grand prize - a year long membership to Equipping ELLs! The Equipping ELLs membership gives you  access to monthly lesson plans, materials, and activities for ELL students so you can just print and go! Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/intermediate-ells

We are seeing more and more newcomers join our classrooms in the U.S. every year. It can be both exciting and challenging when these students first join our classrooms but today, I am walking you through tips on helping both you and them be successful those first few weeks of school! We are continuing our Successfully Setting Up for the School Year this Summer series with an episode dedicated to helping you help your newcomers. Being prepared to help your newcomers when they walk into your classroom is one of the most important things you can do to help them feel comfortable and welcome. In this episode, I am giving you tips and suggestions (and freebies!) to be prepared for your newcomers. We are covering why it is important to have things prepared for your students, 5 things you should have ready for your newcomers, and how each of these items is so beneficial. Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Grab your FREE Newcomer Welcome kit Check out the ELL Strategy Academy Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/materials-for-newcomers/

How great would it be if you could “plug and play” your lessons and resources next school year? Well, you can and I’m here to show you how creating templates can save you precious time! Planning lessons, creating activities, tracking data, meetings, duties - the list of tasks for teachers goes on and on! Good news! I’m sharing a way to save time and energy in your prep and planning. Today, I am talking about 4 templates you can create this summer to streamline your lesson planning, make creating activities quicker and less stressful, and help you better support your students from multiple grade levels. Want these templates already started for you to make your summer prep even easier? Sign up for the FREE ESL Teacher Toolkit. We are continuing our summer giveaway inside of the Facebook Group so be sure to join and complete this week's task of setting up your templates! Also, I am so excited to share that I have an upcoming webinar all about how to cut your lesson planning time in half when you’re teaching ELLs and I can’t wait to share more tips like this with you there! Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Sign up for my free webinar, How to Cut Your Planning Time in Half and Still Provide Quality and Engaging Lessons for your ELLs Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/save-planning-time/

Are you looking for something easy to do to help you prepare for next school year? I am giving you something you will want on hand at all times to help you support your ELL students. We are continuing our summer series, Successfully Setting Up for the School Year This Summer, with a tool that requires little prep but will be a big help! We have already been working on setting up our scope & sequence for the year and setting our quarterly goals. In this episode, we are talking about how to manage the day to day expectations for our students. We talk about how we need a clear idea of expectations for our students, how we can use those expectations to ensure we are not over scaffolding or under scaffolding for our students, and why having a clear understanding of these expectations is important. Be sure to grab your free scope & sequence, quarterly goals chart, language expectations chart, and more in the ESL Teacher Toolkit to help take the stress out of preparing for the school year! Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/daily-language-expectations/

We all want to rest and enjoy our well deserved and much needed summer break! But if we can spend a little time preparing for next school year, it will have a big impact on how the school year will go. We are continuing our Successfully Setting Up for the School Year This Summer series and this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Today, we are going to look at our scope and sequence and break it down into smaller target goals for each quarter. I give you tips on how to set these quarterly goals, maximize the days you have with your students, and determine the foundational skills you are going to work on with each group of students. Plus, I am giving you a FREE quarterly goal template to help you plan for your year! Do you want these quarterly goals, objectives, assessments, progress monitoring templates, and more already done for you? These resources will be ready for you by August 1st and you can have access to them inside my membership, Equipping ELLs. Not a member? You can join here and save yourself some stress and just enjoy showing up to teach! Download the FREE Bingo card Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/setting-up-quarterly-goals/

What should I be doing with my ELL students? What are the targeted goals I should be keeping at the front of my mind, and how do I make sure that I’m hitting those goals? If you find yourself asking these questions, you are definitely going to want to tune into today’s episode and join in as we begin this summer series called Successfully Setting Up for the School Year. Each week this summer, we will walk through the foundations to getting set up now so you can start the year ready to go. These episodes will be short on time but big on action. In today’s episode, we are kicking off the series with one of the most important places we need to start: getting an idea and path of where our ELLs need to go throughout the year. Today I’m breaking down the scope and sequence for ELLs plus providing you with a FREE year-long, done-for-you scope and sequence you can use for both intermediate and newcomers. When you have a clear direction for your ELLs, you’ll have more confidence in knowing that you are supporting them in the right ways. No longer will you be wasting time with your students and feeling frustrated with your efforts. Be sure to go and download the Bingo card board and join in the challenge. I’d love to see you there! Download the FREE Bingo card Download the ESL Teacher Toolkit Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/scope-and-sequence

As a teacher, you’ve worked hard and earned your much-needed summer break. I hope rest, relaxation, and recharging are at the top of your to-do list this summer. As wonderful as summer is, we know it will come to an end. Before you know it, it’ll be August. You’ll hit the ground running with very little time to reflect. It’s important to take a little time now at the very end of the school year to do a brain dump. Reflecting for even just 15-20 minutes while the school year is fresh in your mind is such a good way to wrap up the year. Plus, if you write out some things that went well and some areas that could have gone better, you’ll have a guide going into the next school year that will help you forge a clear path and plan. If you’re tired of going into the new school year already feeling behind, you may want to spend a little time each week during the summer preparing for the year ahead. Don’t worry…I’m talking an hour or less each week. In this episode, I’m sharing 6 things you can do this summer to prepare for the year ahead. These quick strategic tasks will help you be prepared and ahead of the game when August rolls around. Plus you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy your summer break and unwind. Over the next few weeks, I’ll go into more depth on each of these topics, and next week I’ll share more about the challenge that goes along with this, the prizes you can win, and how to make sure that you don’t miss out on the fun. Be sure to invite a friend and join the Facebook group! Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/prepare-for-back-to-school-now

What are your favorite things to do during the summer? I try not to do a lot during the summer, but I do love finding good books to read by the pool. While not all the books I read are related to teaching, I enjoy reading a couple of PD books each summer that spark ideas, give me inspiration, and renew my love for teaching. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top 6 books that I believe will help you build a foundation in supporting your English Language Learners or will challenge traditional views of teaching. These books have been so valuable to me and have really helped me support my students and grow professionally. I’m always searching for more books to read, so if you have a book that I didn’t share today, I would love to hear about it. Put it in the comments or send me a message on Instagram to share your suggestions. If you’re looking for more professional development support this summer, make sure to check out my course, ELL Strategy Academy. We go through 5 different modules, and you get access to all of them at once so you can go through them at your own pace. I’d love to see you there! Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/pd-books-to-teach-ells/

The two words all teachers dread…summer slide. You’ve worked so hard with your students all year. The last thing you want is for them to go for the next 2 months without applying the skills or practicing English. You know if they don’t use it, they’ll lose it. It can be tricky with our students who live in homes and communities that mainly speak a different language. Today, I’ll give you 3 easy ways to encourage your students to keep practicing English during the summer, and some of them may surprise you. You may be tempted to print off a bunch of pages and create packets of work for your students to do throughout the summer, but I will tell you why you definitely should NOT do that! I’ve got a FREE resource for you that you can send home with your students, so be sure to sign up for that. Sign up for the FREE Bingo Card Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/learning-english-in-summer/

There is a big difference in how the ELL brain learns to read and write compared to native speakers. Reading and writing are the two most difficult domains for our ELL students. It makes it even more challenging for those students when we are using materials that were designed for native English speakers, not ELLs. In today’s episode, I’ll share some of the mistakes we make while teaching reading and writing to our English language learners and what we can do to better support them and build a strong foundation. We will focus on phonics, comprehension, and writing. I’ll share ways to reduce the frustration and anxiety your students feel around reading and writing and how to increase their chances of success. If you’re looking for ways to support the writing of your ELLs, check out my brand new resource, Give Your Writing a Workout. This resource walks you through the foundations of writing and includes anchor charts, interactive grammar notebooks, games, and more. Get Give Your Writing a Workout  Read The Writing Revolution Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/mistakes-when-teaching-reading-writing

“There’s a slight bias towards the Asian population being more identified [as gifted]. It goes back to being open from the very start and saying, ‘Hey, all of my students could be these high achieving gifted students, but I need to look at all of them with that attitude and set the bar high so they can show me what they can do.’” -Shelley Feliú-Love Today’s guest is one of the most incredible educators that I’ve ever met. I’ve had the opportunity to work with her, and I invited her to come on the show today to talk about how to identify and support the gifted and talented ELL students in your classroom, even if they’re not proficient in English. Shelley grew up exploring the world with her family. By the time she finished her Elementary Education and Spanish Language degrees at Auburn University, she had traveled to six continents. Before arriving in Panama, she taught for five years in the state of Georgia where she got her Gifted teaching endorsement. She moved to Panama to challenge herself both personally and professionally, striving to continue to grow as an educator. She later went on to get a master's degree in international education administration through Endicott College, studying both online and in Switzerland during the summer. Shelley aspires to challenge each student to reach his or her full potential. She realizes that each student has different strengths and abilities; therefore, she seeks to build upon those. She particularly enjoys inspiring her students to think creatively when they encounter challenges in school and in their lives. While not occupied with work, she enjoys running, traveling, photography, exploring outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and reading. Her greatest joy and challenge along with her husband is raising a bilingual "Panagringa" who is almost a year old! Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/gifted-and-exceptional-ells

“I learned by making my own mistakes and trial and error, and that just has kind of been the theme for my career. If it doesn’t work, try it again in a different way.” -Maria Montroni-Currais I love having the opportunity to talk to and interview amazing educators on my podcast and to share those insights and perspectives with you. Today I’m joined by an administrator with an ELL background, Maria Montroni-Currais. In this episode, we’ll be talking about how to connect the 4 language domains to all content. I’ve been following Maria on Instagram, and I love seeing all the ways she is helping ELL students as an administrator in her school. Today she also shares her thoughts on assessments and standards. Maria began her career in New Jersey public schools in 2009 and started writing for Everyone Deserves to Learn in 2013. She received an M.Ed in Teaching ESL from The College of New Jersey and obtained her Supervisor and Principal certifications through NJExcel. She currently serves as the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for a PreK-8 school district in Camden County, NJ. Join the Equipping ELLs Membership To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/domains-to-content/

When it comes to language objectives, writing them in student-friendly language and making them visible for our ELL students is so important for them and has a huge impact. With help from today’s guest, you’ll learn exactly how these objectives impact your students and see that writing language objectives doesn’t have to be complicated. In today’s episode, Courtney Morgan shares about language objectives and scaffolds you can use in your classroom to address those objectives as well as some tips for navigating the WIDA standards. Courtney understands first-hand the overwhelm that Gen. Ed. teachers feel, and she is determined to keep things simple and easy to implement. If you’re looking for a way to boost the quality of your lessons, be sure to grab a FREE copy of Courtney’s Language and Content Objectives Quick Template here. Courtney Morgan is an English learner specialist and teacher living near Asheville, North Carolina, where she loves having the mountains at her doorstep. After 16 years as an elementary classroom teacher in districts large and small, Courtney shifted into her current role to focus her efforts on supporting multilingual students. Through her business, The All-Access Classroom, Courtney equips Gen. Ed. teachers to confidently make their lessons accessible to English learners. To access all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/language-objectives/

Do you have a clear idea of what ELL students at each of the 5 language levels are able to do? It can be overwhelming when you aren’t confident you know how to best support your students. In today's episode, I'm going to give you a simple and clear breakdown of each of the language levels to help you get started. If you’d like more support teaching your ELL students, you can sign up for my FREE resource Library of ELL Materials by signing up here. You’ll have access to checklists, strategies, vocabulary cards, digital centers, and more! For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/language-levels

Imagine living in a war-torn country where there are not enough school buildings because they’ve been destroyed by war, not enough teachers because wages are so low, and many families are living in camps because they’ve been displaced and are living far away from everything that is familiar to them. Just think of the impact this has on children, families, and communities after years and years of this type of crisis that nations like Iraq in the Middle East and in other parts of the world are facing. Sometimes it can feel like we are so far away from those types of conditions that it can be difficult to shift our perspective, but as teachers of ELLs, it is so important for us to be aware of what’s going on in the world and how it is impacting education. Today’s guest, Elle Burdett, gives us insight into how to support students and families who immigrate to the United States and help them feel welcomed. When we open ourselves up to learn about what people have gone through, it can change us forever and give us a new perspective, allowing us to approach students and families from other parts of the world with empathy and understanding. For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/support-refugee-students

How is it possible to build a positive home-school connection with parents of ELLs when they don’t speak the same language as us? We know the power these connections have on our students and how important it is to their success, but how do we practically make it happen? In today’s episode, I'll be sharing tips and tricks to help build those connections so the families of your English language learners feel welcome in your classroom and school. I’ll share from the perspective of my own experience as a parent of a second language learner. Join the Equipping ELLs Membership: https://www.equippingells.com/ell-sales-page Check out the ELL Strategy Academy: https://www.equippingells.com/yes For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/parents-of-ells/

How do you connect with homeroom teachers who aren't really interested in working with ELLs and expect you to do all of the work? How can you successfully build a strong relationship with your co-teachers so you can better support your ELL students? If you’ve asked these questions yourself, this episode is for you. With a background as both an ESL teacher and a homeroom teacher, I’ll be sharing my perspective from both roles. I made plenty of mistakes in the beginning and learned a few things about how important it is for ESL teachers to build a solid connection with the homeroom teachers that they’re supporting. When you and the homeroom teacher are connected, building trust, and communicating well, it’s so beneficial and helpful for your ELL students. Today I’m sharing 3 ways that you can engage and build relationships with your homeroom and content area teachers so your ELL students can soar. Join the Equipping ELLs Membership: https://www.equippingells.com/ell-sales-page Check out the ELL Strategy Academy: https://www.equippingells.com/yes For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/connect-with-homeroom-teachers/

Using read alouds is one of the most effective ways you can reach all levels of your English Language Learners, no matter what age your students are. Read alouds provide opportunities for students to connect with relatable characters and feel welcome and safe in the classroom. With visuals already provided for you, read alouds cut down on your prep work while encouraging your students to make tons of connections so they can better comprehend the text. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the easiest way to cover all 4 language domains for all levels of ELLs with very little prep work. You can take one book and really pack so much into a 30-45 minute lesson that includes discussion, vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension, and so much more. Unlock Language Through Read Alouds: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ESL-Lessons-and-Activities-ESL-Sub-Plans-ESL-Reading-Comprehension-Writing-7680048 Grab my FREE WIDA Can-Do Descriptors: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/wida/ For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/cover-all-4-domains-through-a-read-aloud/

“Students who have pride in their racial background or ethnic background actually do better in school. They feel a sense of belonging. They’re more engaged. Their grades are better. So it’s really important that we instill that pride in those students and really celebrate that we all look different and that’s what makes us beautiful.” - Jenny LaRocque In today’s episode, I am joined by Jenny LaRocque, a kindergarten teacher who is passionate about including diverse books in her classroom and providing a multicultural curriculum in her classroom. Jenny started the social media movement #allarewelcomeinmyclassroom on June 20th, 2018. She has spoken across the country about implementing culturally responsive teaching and was honored to speak at ISTE and Get Your Teach On. You can follow her on Instagram @themulticulturalclassroom. Jenny and I discuss the beauty and power of using diverse books in the classroom. This interview is loaded with resources and ideas for you to use with your own students to ensure that you are bringing in diverse books and stories and providing more equity for all students. You can connect with Jenny on Instagram @themulticulturalclassroom. For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/jenny-larocque/

Schools across the United States are welcoming a record number of ELL students who are new to the country and new to the English language. When you’re working with newcomers, it's really important that you take time to get to know them so they feel welcomed and comfortable in the classroom environment. I talk more about this in Episode 3, so if you haven’t listened, be sure to check it out. It’s also important to gather background information about each newcomer so that you can understand how to best support them and their language needs. There is a big difference in how you approach learning for a newcomer that has a foundation of literacy in their native language and a newcomer who doesn't. If you’ve welcomed newcomers to your classroom and you’re wondering what to do next to get them excited and engaged with learning, you are going to love today's episode. I'm laying out step-by-step what to do once you've welcomed your newcomers and you are ready to scaffold your lessons to meet their needs. For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/scaffold-your-lessons-for-newcomers/

Every year around this time, we assess our ELL students using the ACCESS test. This test causes stress and overwhelm for many teachers, but in this episode, I want to remind you that you are not defined by the results of this test. Today I'm going to share why you don’t need to stress about ACCESS testing. Plus I’m going to give you a few ways to truly assess your students so that you can celebrate their progress and you can know what areas they need to work on. For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/authentically-assess-your-ells/

What pops into your head when you hear the term “reluctant learners”? Finding a way to reach our reluctant learners can be a challenge, but unlocking the desire to learn in these students and helping them reach their full potential is incredibly rewarding and totally worth it. If you have ELL students who just seem to have no desire to learn the language, you’re not alone. Many teachers are facing this challenge right now. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 different ways you can help your reluctant learners begin to learn English. For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/reluctant-to-learn-english

It can be tempting to reach for worksheets as a quick way to find something to keep your ELL students busy. I’ve done it myself when I felt like I just needed to grab something quick that would save me time. We know that using worksheets and workbooks are not the best way for students to learn a language. We need to provide our students with experiences and opportunities where they can engage with language right away so it’s not something they dread. So how can you provide these opportunities for effective and engaging learning without adding a lot more work to your plate? That’s what I’m talking about in today’s episode. I’ll be sharing 3 ways to go beyond the worksheet that will have your ELL students interacting with the language right away. With an increase in Newcomer students across the country, we have an opportunity as teachers to make a positive difference in these students’ lives and make language learning fun and effective. For full show notes and more resources, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/esl-worksheet/

Imagine being 15 years old and moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language and being without your family. That’s exactly what today’s guest did when he signed a contract to play professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds in July 1999. Damaso Espino was born in Panama in 1983. He loved playing baseball, and when an opportunity came along for him to play professionally and continue his education, he courageously walked through that door. Just 2 weeks after signing the contract, he left his home and his family to set off on a new adventure. This episode will show you from a newcomer’s perspective how important it is to build relationships with your ELL students and meet them where they are so they can feel comfortable from the very beginning. As an ELL teacher, you really are changing generations. You're changing communities. You're changing families through educating that one student you have in your class. For the full show notes, head to https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/newcomer-to-mlb-scout/

How can you have the biggest impact in helping your ELL students develop their English language skills? As teachers, we are pulled in many directions and constantly need to decide where to focus our time and attention. There are two often overlooked areas that we can focus on that will make a big difference in how well our students will be able to speak, read, and write in English. Today’s episode is all about where to spend your time with your ELL students when you’re short on time. I’ll share the two areas I believe we should be spending more time on with our students and simple activities that you can add to your lesson plans that will reap great rewards for your students. As always, what is good for your ELL students is good for all your students! One of the most important things for you as a teacher of ELLs to know is what is appropriate for your students at each language and grade level so they can continue to progress. I have created this free tool, WIDA Can-Do Descriptors Simplified, that you can use to help you set clear expectations for your students and ensure their success: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/wida/ For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/short-on-time-do-this 

Whether you are an ESL teacher or homeroom teacher, you’re juggling a lot of things and are doing your best to support your ELL students. Sometimes the lines can get blurry when it comes to exactly what that support should look like. Specifically, there seems to be a lot of confusion around what ELLs need and what is not really that beneficial to them. Some of your go-to strategies, even with the best of intentions, could actually be hindering their English language journey. For example, if you’re working with newcomers, you might immediately think that you have to translate everything into their native language. In reality, that’s not the case. While there are exceptions to this, we want students to be immersed in the language of their classroom. If you’re feeling unsure as to what you should or should not be doing with your ELLs, I’m going to help clear things up. I’ll share 3 things to stop doing to support your English Language Learners, as well as what to do instead. These strategies will help your newcomers acclimate to life in your classroom, save you planning time, and increase student engagement. In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card! Here’s how to enter the giveaway: Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. Check out the show notes for more resources from this episode: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/3-things-to-stop-doing-with-ells/

We live in a monolingual society, and, unfortunately, the belief that English is the superior language is what most of our federal and state laws were founded on and still support. Today’s guest combines her love of learning about language and cultures with a passion for the law, and she is on a mission to make education more equitable for our ELL students. Brooke Boutwell has firsthand experience as a multilingual learner. She knows what it’s like to live in a foreign country as a student without any academic support or accommodations and how much that can impact a student’s confidence and self-esteem. Brooke is dedicated to helping teachers support their ELL students in the classroom so they can be successful and receive the education they deserve. In this episode, Brooke shares how her own experiences as a multilingual learner shaped her career as an educator. She also shares helpful tips and strategies any teacher can use to create a supportive learning environment for their ELL students. When we teach with our ELLs in mind, all of our students succeed. In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card! Here’s how to enter the giveaway: Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. Check out the show notes for more resources: https://www.inspiringyounglearners.com/advocating-for-multilingual-learners/

Does getting a newcomer to your classroom cause you to feel stressed and overwhelmed? Having new students join the classroom can be extremely overwhelming to both teachers and students, especially when those students are also new to the language. It can be easy to focus on what newcomers need to learn. However, we have to build trust before students will learn the language. When you spend time preparing for a newcomer’s arrival, you will ensure they will feel supported and loved the moment they join your classroom. This will reduce the stress and anxiety your newcomers feel. In this episode, I share easy ways that you can make sure your students feel comfortable on their very first day in your classroom so they’ll be excited about coming back to school. I also give you tips for building a strong foundation of trust during the first few weeks of school so your newcomers will feel more confident in the classroom. In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card! Here’s how to enter the giveaway: Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. Check out the show notes for more resources: inspiringyounglearners.com/welcome-newcomers/

Have you ever stopped to think about how scary it is to learn a language? If you’ve ever visited a foreign country or traveled abroad, you may have experienced how awkward and embarrassing it can feel to make a mistake or not know how to communicate in another language. Our ELL students experience this all the time at school. It can be overwhelming for our students to feel constant anxiety and fear around what we may consider simple classroom activities. On top of that, many teachers experience overwhelm and anxiety when it comes to supporting ELL students in the classroom. We want to do our best, but statistics show that we are not receiving adequate training to effectively support some of our most vulnerable students. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 3-Step Framework that makes it easier to support your ELL students. By incorporating all 3 steps, you and your ELLs will experience less anxiety and overwhelm and more success and confidence. In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card! Here’s how to enter the giveaway: Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. Check out the show notes for more resources: inspiringyounglearners.com/3-step-framework-for-supporting-ells/

Do you ever wonder if you are doing what’s best for your ELL students? You’re not alone. Many teachers feel lost when it comes to the complexities of teaching ELLs. They doubt that what they’re doing is really working, so they constantly change materials and plans, leading to overwhelm and stress. What is the biggest factor that is preventing you from helping your ELLs have greater success? In today’s episode, I’m giving you 3 mindset shifts that will have a huge impact on the success of your ELL students. I believe these mindset shifts will have a greater impact than smaller class sizes, more support, or more training. They will give you a new level of confidence and empower you to equip your English language learners so they have what they need to thrive today, tomorrow, and for life. In honor of this brand new podcast, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of five $25 TPT gift cards! Plus one grand prize winner will receive my course, ELL Strategy Academy, a one year subscription to my membership, Equipping ELLs, and a $50 TPT gift card! Here’s how to enter the giveaway: Follow, rate, and write a review on Apple Podcasts. Screenshot your review and send it to me on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners. BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot your favorite launch episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. Check out the show notes for more resources: inspiringyounglearners.com/the-one-reason-your-ells-arent-making-growth/

Welcome to Equipping ELLs! This podcast will empower you to equip your English Language Learners with the important skills they need to thrive in your classroom and beyond. Whether you teach kindergarten or twelfth grade ELLs, you'll hear practical strategies that you can walk away with and make your own.  In addition to this podcast, you can find more done-for-you resources at inspiringyounglearners.com. If you are looking for a community of like-minded educators, come join our Facebook group: Inspiring Young Learners Engage, where you can ask questions, feel encouraged, and connect with other passionate educators from around the world. Follow Beth on Instagram @inspiringyounglearners.