Literacy Across Languages

What does it take to move students beyond accurate decoding toward fluent, meaningful reading? In this episode, we welcome Kelly Maxwell and Deiysi Paredes-Monjaras, co-creators of Elevating Fluency, to explore why foundational literacy skills and language comprehension must develop together. Drawing on their… Read more

How can educators distinguish expected language differences from signs of a language disorder? In this episode, Dr. Ellen Kester explores how contrastive analysis helps teachers understand the influence of students' home languages on English literacy development. She discusses predictable cross-linguistic patterns,… Read more

We're revisiting our very first interview on Literacy Across Languages ! In this episode, Dr. Jana Echevarría joins us to discuss effective instructional strategies for multilingual students who are learning to read. The conversation highlights the interdependence of language and literacy, the need for collaboration… Read more

Dr. Sarah Cioffi joins Mary and Katherine to explore what it takes to make multilingual literacy a shared responsibility across an entire school rather than the work of the ENL teacher alone. The conversation examines teacher preparation, collaboration, MTSS, culturally and linguistically responsive Tier 1… Read more

Dr. Marisa Ramirez Stukey joins Mary and Katherine to explore reading comprehension as an outcome of multiple systems working together rather than a single skill. Their conversation examines how educators can look beneath apparent comprehension difficulties, use students’ home languages and knowledge as resources, and… Read more

Dr. Ingrid Heidrick joins Mary and Katherine to explore how educators can use district-adopted literacy curricula while making intentional adjustments for multilingual learners. The conversation examines language demands, background knowledge and comprehension, foundational literacy, oral language development,… Read more

Dr. Antonio Fierro explores why language must be understood as the foundation of literacy for English Learners, connecting phonological awareness, word recognition, sentences, and discourse. He discusses how teachers can create language-rich classrooms, listen closely to students’ oral language, build on… Read more

Kari Kurto of The Reading League joins Literacy Across Languages to explore how the science of reading and structured literacy can support multilingual learners and English learners. The conversation examines language as common ground between literacy and EL/EB education, including explicit and systematic instruction,… Read more

Meg Medina served as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She is the author of many notable and award-winning works for young readers of all ages, including the Newbery Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, the first in a trilogy. Her most recent… Read more

Beth Bevars is a library director in the Finger Lakes region of New York and a literacy advocate focused on supporting families and educators through community literacy hubs. Marion Waldman comes from educational publishing and works to expand access to evidence-based literacy resources through partnerships with… Read more

Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori is the founder of Library 4 Multilinguals, an author dedicated to empowering multilingual and multicultural children, and the host and organizer of the annual online conference, the Grand Multiliteracy Event. Drawing on his own bilingual upbringing, over 14 years of classroom experience, and… Read more

Shifa Saltagi Safadi is the National Book Award-winning author of Kareem Between, the Amina Banana series, and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. Born in Syria and raised in the United States, she is a bilingual Arabic-English speaker, a former English teacher, and a former reviewer of Muslim children’s… Read more

Brandon Cardet-Hernandez is an educator and leader whose career spans roles as a teacher, turnaround principal in the South Bronx, and leader within the New York City Department of Education, where he served as senior advisor of education to Mayor Bill de Blasio. As the son of immigrants and a former multilingual… Read more

Dr. Ana Taboada-Barber is a professor of education at the University of Maryland whose research focuses on reading comprehension and motivation in emergent bilingual and bilingual students. A former ESL teacher, her work examines how cognitive and motivational factors influence literacy development, with particular… Read more

Amy Siracusano is the founder and owner of Know Better, Do Better Literacy, LLC, and brings 25 years of experience in public education, including roles as a classroom teacher, Title I teacher, vice principal, and literacy specialist for the Board of Education. She is an international literacy consultant, adjunct… Read more

Renae Skarin is an educational linguist with more than three decades of experience across K–16 education, dedicated to serving multilingual and English learners through classroom teaching, curriculum and program development, and classroom research. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time in nature,… Read more

Sally Baer is an educator with more than 22 years of teaching experience whose work has spanned elementary teaching, reading specialization, English language learning, and multilingual education. Her professional journey, including National Board Certification and doctoral study, is grounded in reflective practice and… Read more

Dr. Katie Toppel has 20 years of experience in education across preschool through university settings. She currently serves as a K–5 English language development specialist in Oregon, supporting multilingual learners through co-planning, co-teaching, and small group instruction. She is a member of the SIOP author team… Read more

Dr. Eugenia F. Krimmel is a nationally recognized multilingual learner educator, author, and instructional coach with more than 30 years of experience advancing equitable literacy instruction for multilingual learners across K through 12, higher education, and adult education settings in the Middle East, Europe,… Read more

Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a professor of literacy education at Kent State University and director of its award-winning reading clinic. He has written more than 200 articles and authored, co-authored, or edited more than 50 books and curriculum programs on reading education, including work with Teacher Created Materials,… Read more

Kelly Aldinger is a resource specialist for the New York Capital Region’s RBERN, Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network, and a TESOL adjunct professor at Siena University, supporting districts, schools, and educators in strengthening programs and practices for multilingual learners. Previously, she served as an… Read more

Michelle Posner is a bilingual speech language pathologist who has worked in the field since 2006. Inspired by her younger brother’s autism diagnosis and the harm caused when her family was advised to stop using Spanish at home, she centers communication, inclusion, and support for neurodivergent individuals. Michelle… Read more

Valentina Gonzalez is an accomplished teacher, educator, author, and national speaker with more than 25 years of experience dedicated to supporting multilingual learners and the educators who serve them. She has served as a classroom teacher, district facilitator for multilingual programs, professional development… Read more

Courtney Morgan is an assistant professor of teacher education and coordinator of the elementary education program at Brevard College in Western North Carolina. She is a National Board Certified teacher and founder of the All Access Classroom, where she partners with schools and districts as a keynote speaker and… Read more

Dr. Timothy Shanahan is a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a former first grade teacher who previously served as director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools. He is the author or editor of more than 300 publications, including Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives published… Read more

Lucía Rocha-Nestler is the founder and CEO of Hola Books, an educational publishing company dedicated to building strong, joyful Spanish literacy through research-based, Spanish-first materials. A former dual-language teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience, Lucía brings deep expertise in bilingual literacy… Read more

Dr. Carrie McDermott Goldman is an associate professor, consultant, coach, and mentor focused on instructional practices, curriculum development, and program design for multilingual learners. She serves as the Interim Director of Graduate, Post-Graduate, and Professional Studies Programs, TESOL/bilingual program… Read more

Dr. Susan B. Neuman is a professor specializing in early literacy development from pre-K through grade 2. She is editor of The Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy and The Handbook on the Science of Literacy in Grades 3-8. Dr. Neuman's research focuses on building knowledge networks through content-rich… Read more

MaryKate DeSantis is the founder of Left Side Strong LLC and a passionate advocate for evidence-based literacy instruction. With experience as a special educator, reading specialist, and literacy coach in urban schools, she brings a teacher-centered approach to her work. MaryKate has served as faculty at the MGH… Read more

Andrea Bitner is a K-12 English language teacher, reading specialist, and passionate advocate for multilingual learners. With 26 years of experience, she supports students and teachers across multiple districts while also providing professional development nationally. Andrea is the author of two books about… Read more

Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld is a professor and author of over 30 books on multilingual education, including the Growing Language and Literacy series. Born and raised in Hungary, she grew up multilingually and has been an educator for over 25 years. Andrea is passionate about collaborative teaching models, asset-based… Read more

Dr. Douglas Fisher is Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022. Doug has published extensively on leadership, reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum… Read more

Maya Valencia Goodall is co-creator of OL&LA (Online Language and Literacy Academy), co-founder of Lingual Learning, and co-creator of Lexia English. She continues to shape the field of education as a leader in the design and enhancement of the Online Elementary Reading Academy at CORE Learning. Maya is dedicated to… Read more

Dr. Claude Goldenberg is Professor Emeritus at Stanford University, where he focused on promoting literacy development and academic achievement among English learners. He has taught from first grade through university level and now shares research-based knowledge through articles, blogs, podcasts, and webinars to help… Read more

Dr. Jana Echevarría is Professor Emerita at California State University, Long Beach, where she was selected as Outstanding Professor. She is co-creator of the SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) Model and a leading researcher in effective instruction for multilingual learners. Dr. Echevarría was inducted… Read more