How might we design professional learning opportunities that provide both a quality, personalized learning pathway and a path to licensure to work with English Language Learners? What are some of the advantages of utilizing blended and personalized learning strategies to bring diverse cohorts of educators together around ELL instruction? How can partnerships forged between school districts and local universities help move the needle on professional learning that will ultimately benefit the students we serve? We discuss these questions and more with Kristina Soprano.

Kristina is the Director of the ESL Teacher Certification Program at Roger Williams University, University College.  Prior joining University College at RWU, Kristina served as an ELL Coordinator for a charter school in Mssachusetts, and also taught English learners at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Kristina has also enjoyed supporting other educators with developing their knowledge and skills surrounding English learner education. She is an advocate for linguistically responsive and collaborative teaching models that embrace the assets that all learners bring to school.  

During our conversation, we mentioned the following resources:

• ESL Teacher Certification Program Website
• Assessing English Language Learners: Bridges to Educational Equity: Connecting Academic Language Proficiency to Student Achievement, by Margot Gottlieb
• Competency Works Website
• Instructional Coaching Program and Practice Standards: New Teacher Center

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