The session will provide hands-on Early Learning activities( K-2) for ML students while connecting each activity to the WIDA ELD standards. Using realia, nature, and everyday household items, teachers will be able to build vocabulary and phonemic awareness while students learn the power of their existing L1 through early exposure to cognates.
This session showcases how a school district transformed its approach to welcoming multilingual newcomer students through an innovative project inspired by Solito. In this project, students shared their personal stories, published them in a book, and celebrated their voices at a book release party where they read excerpts aloud. This initiative blossomed into district-wide roundtable discussions, a student ambassador program, and welcoming video tours created by students for newcomers.
Join us to explore the step-by-step process of implementing this powerful initiative, hear testimonials from students, and learn practical strategies for replicating the project in your schools. Participants will leave inspired and equipped to elevate newcomer voices, foster belonging, and create a more inclusive school culture.
In this session, participants will review the structure and purpose of North Carolina’s CTE course standards and K–12 Computer Science Standards. Attendees will analyze alignment across grade levels to support student readiness. They will engage in interactive activities to explore instructional connections. Participants will collaborate to identify opportunities for integration across programs. By the end, they will develop actionable strategies for applying the standards in classroom and curriculum planning.
Secondary Computer Science, IT, and Technology Education Consultant, NCDPI
Eli Hamrick is a dynamic and visionary leader in career and technical education with a proven track record of statewide impact and institutional excellence. With experience spanning classroom instruction, state-level consulting, and higher education, Eli has spearheaded the development... Read More →
Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms offer unique, real-world learning opportunities—but how can we ensure multilingual learners (MLs) thrive in these dynamic environments? This session explores practical strategies to scaffold instruction, promote language development alongside content mastery, and create inclusive learning spaces that value linguistic diversity. Participants will engage in interactive activities, review effective tools and resources, and leave with actionable ideas to enhance access and equity for MLs in any CTE pathway.
The content area of social studies provides rich opportunities for ML students of all ages and levels to increase their proficiency in academic English while becoming more knowledgeable in the content area. Explore a variety of proven strategies and resources to capitalize on ML's background knowledge, and scaffold the multimedia and literature rich world of Social Studies to engage newcomers and experienced MLs in the secondary space.
Intended audience: Social Studies Teachers, ML Teachers, ML Coordinator, Administrators.
