Highest Aspirations

In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Sandra Medrano-Arroyo speaks with Dr. Michelle Benegas about building sustainable, schoolwide support for ELs. Michelle shares insights on empowering teacher leaders, creating effective infrastructure for multilingual learner programs, and strategies for strengthening both direct and indirect support. Listeners will learn how to foster collaborative, capacity-driven approaches that help educa...

In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Sandra Medrano-Arroyo speaks with Paula Polk about her journey from classroom teacher to language coach and district leader. Paula shares insights on coaching with integrity, empathy, and justice, strategies for supporting multilingual learners, and practical approaches to building teacher expertise. Listeners will learn how to expand their impact in education while fostering collaborative, s...

In this episode of Highest Aspirations, we speak with Dr. Margo Gottlieb and Dr. Gisela Ernst-Slavit about the powerful concept at the heart of their new book, Academic Languaging. They challenge the traditional view of academic language as a fixed code to be mastered, redefining it as an active, student-driven process that empowers multilingual learners. The conversation dives deep into the crucial role of student agency, explorin...

In this episode of Highest Aspirations, we speak with Sarah Whitfield, an ML Instructional Specialist, about the summer Newcomer Academy she directs. Sarah shares the intentional structure of the program, which is designed to build a strong sense of belonging and identity for middle and high school newcomers. She details a profound shift in her approach—moving from "family engagement" to true "family collaboration&qu...

Season 15 of Highest Aspirations begins with Dr. Carol Salva, author of Boosting Achievement. In this episode, Dr. Salva shares updated strategies from the new edition of her book designed to support English learners, newcomer students, and students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). She discusses practical tools educators can use to accelerate language development, build student confidence, and create welcoming ...

This episode of Highest Aspirations features Carly Spina, an author and passionate advocate for English learners, as she shares her inspiring journey and groundbreaking work.

Join us to hear how Carly's upbringing profoundly shaped her deep commitment to ELs, tracing her path from early experiences on Chicago's North Side to becoming a leading voice in education. We'll delve into her impactful work at the Illinois Resour...

This episode of Highest Aspirations features Sarah Nandi, Alaina Peterson, and Thomas Hekma—former educators who now work at Ellevation—sharing how their classroom experiences shape the way they support educators across the country.

Tune in to hear how their journeys from teaching multilingual learners to working in edtech help them build tools and resources that are relevant, empathetic, and grounded in real classroom needs. Learn ...

This episode of Highest Aspirations welcomes Alice Collins from the Colorado Department of Education and Dr. Esther De Jong from the University of Colorado Denver to explore the dynamic landscape of bilingual education in the state. Discover the innovative programs designed to support Colorado's growing number of multilingual learners and the crucial initiatives aimed at building a strong pipeline of qualified bilingual educato...

Elise White Diaz, a passionate advocate for trauma-informed multilingual education, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss practical strategies for connecting with and supporting students who have experienced trauma or come from challenging backgrounds. Drawing on her extensive work in diverse settings, Elise emphasizes the power of understanding students' experiences and building trust as foundational elements for effective teac...

Valentina Gonzalez, a passionate advocate for multilingual learners, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss her collaborative work on Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners and her solo project, Equitable Instruction for English Learners in the Content Area. With a focus on bridging content and language instruction, Valentina shares her experience working alongside renowned educators Drs. Fisher and Frey, highlighting the transfor...

Drs. Margo Gottlieb and Andrea Honigsfeld, authors of Collaborative Assessment for Multilingual Learners and Teachers, join Highest Aspirations to discuss how administrators can support educators in transforming assessment practices. Moving beyond traditional methods, they emphasize the role of school leaders in fostering a collaborative approach that centers multilingual learners and empowers teachers.

This episode explores the ess...

Drs. Margo Gottlieb and Andrea Honigsfeld, authors of "Collaborative Assessment for Multilingual Learners and Teachers," join Highest Aspirations to discuss transforming assessment practices. Moving beyond traditional methods, they advocate for a collaborative approach that centers multilingual learners and empowers educators.

This episode explores the five phases of collaborative assessment and how they integrate into...

An encore episode from season 9 of Highest Aspirations, where we discuss how schools are accommodating English learners with disabilities and the impacts that EL and disability status have on reclassification or exiting with Dr. Sara Kangas.

Key questions we address:

1. What impacts have we seen on recent policy changes to reclassification or exiting of ELs with disabilities?
2. How can schools prioritize collaboration and impro...

Jaime Gonzalez, Bilingual Director at Eagle Pass ISD, joins Highest Aspirations to share how his district fosters success for emergent bilingual students and educators. Located on the Texas-Mexico border, Eagle Pass ISD leverages its unique bicultural and bilingual community to empower students and teachers alike. Jaime discusses grassroots initiatives like the district's bilingual certification academy, leadership development ...

English learners with special needs often face significant barriers to accessing appropriate support in schools, and accurate identification is critical to their success. Steve Gill, a seasoned educator, school psychologist, and consultant with over 15 years of experience, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss the Critical Data Process—a framework designed to guide teams in evaluating and supporting dually identified students. Drawi...

Newcomer students bring diverse strengths and experiences to their schools but often face unique challenges in adjusting to a new country, culture, and educational system. Amy King and Yvonne Williams from WCEPS join Highest Aspirations to discuss how clear communication, culturally responsive practices, and meaningful family engagement can help schools support newcomer families effectively.

In this episode, King and Williams share...

Newcomer students face unique challenges as they adjust to life in a new country, culture, and educational system. Dr. Marie Heath, an international educational consultant with over 30 years of experience, joins Highest Aspirations to share her expertise on acculturation and bicultural identity. Drawing from her own experience as the child of an immigrant and her doctoral research at Texas A&M Commerce, Dr. Heath discusses stra...

In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Sandra sits down with Rocío Figueroa, Senior Instructional Content Manager at Ellevation, to explore how personalized professional development can transform teaching and learning for English learners. Drawing from her diverse experiences as a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, and consultant, Rocío shares practical strategies for tailoring professional learning to meet the unique ne...

The IMPACT Conference was born out of a desire to bring educators together during a time of unprecedented isolation and challenge. In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Ben McNelly and Steve Sofronas join us to reflect on the journey of the conference—from its inception during the height of the pandemic to its evolution into a dynamic virtual event that continues to serve educators nationwide.

They share insights into how the co...