Future Professional Learning Opportunities
Virtual Office Hours
February: Supporting Dually-Identified Students: ELs with Disabilities
Join us virtually on Wednesday, Feb. 25, as we learn from the Office of Special Education and Early Learning’s (OSEEL) Melissa Whalen, as she presents information on the rights of ELs with disabilities and the responsibilities of districts. Please share this invitation with the Director of Special Education (DoSE), Exceptional Education teachers, School Psychologists and English Language Development (ELD) teachers.
Session Times and Virtual Links
March: Building Capacity for All - An Asset-Based Approach
On Wednesday, March 25, join leaders from the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Office of Multilingual Learners, Dr. Jill Handley, Mr. Justin Matson, and Mrs. Vongmany Edmonds, as they share how they are finding successful ways to support school leaders in developing strong systems and structures that serve ELs.
This special Voices from the Field session is designed for district leaders, school administrators and teachers who work with multilingual students and are seeking actionable strategies to strengthen their support for ELs.
Session Time & Link
Kentucky Coalition for English Learners (KyCEL)
Virtual Late Winter Learning Series: Join KyCEL for a three‑part virtual learning series focused on English literacy development for English Learners. The series features national expert Dr. Claude Goldenberg on Monday, March 2 and Monday, March 16. On Monday, March 9, Dr. Gwen Snow, Scott Beldon, and Nina Flores from the JCPS Newcomer Academy will highlight literacy practices for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) students.
Registration is $75 and includes access to all three 90‑minute virtual sessions. Use this Google Form to register for the event.
 Save The Date: KyCEL 2026 Summer Institute
KyCEL has also announced the dates, location and keynote speakers for this year’s in‑person Summer Institute. The institute, taking place June 15-16, in Owensboro, KY, will feature national presenters Elise White Diaz and Dr. Claude Goldenberg, as well as keynote addresses from 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman and Dr. Carol Salva, an award‑winning educator, author and consultant.
More information on registration and overnight accommodations will be shared soon.
Recordings from Previous Sessions
Voices from the Field: Meaningful Engagement for Multilingual Families from Scott County’s Wendy Holbrook and Abby Deloya, and Butler County’s Tim Wilson, as they shared how each district successfully engages multilingual families through meaningful parent involvement.
Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) Committee Work Opportunities
KDE is seeking Kentucky educators to assist with various assessment-related tasks in the upcoming months. OAA needs ELD teachers to support the critical reclassification committee work for ELs.
K-12 educators who are interested in participating in the assessment development and other committee work for the assessment system are encouraged to complete the application. A pool of candidates is being gathered for these critical steps and other supporting activities. Much of this work will be done virtually, and participants will receive a stipend.
The Application for Assessment Committees is due by Friday, April 17. If not chosen for participation this spring, summer or fall, applicant names will be kept on file for future assessment work.
For questions, please email the DAC team for more info.
Featured WIDA ArticlesInclusive Practices for Multilingual Learners (MLs) with Disabilities
WIDA's latest Focus Bulletin, Inclusive Practices for MLs With Disabilities, spotlights how intentional advocacy, thoughtful planning and strong collaboration can transform learning experiences. It includes practical tools and an asset-based perspective to better understand the intersection of language and disability.
Reframing How We Think About Our Long-Term ELs
In the new article Reframing How We Think About Our Long-Term English Learners (LTELs), WIDA Professional Learning Curriculum Specialist Lauren Bartholome shows how educators can better support LTELs by understanding individual stories, integrating language and content learning, and fostering collaboration to promote rigorous and supportive academic opportunities.
Explore the Experiences of ML Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education
Check out the SLIFE Focus Bulletin, updated in 2025, to understand the experiences of MLs identified as SLIFE in schools and what you can do to support their unique needs.
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