Illinois Resource Center

I asked my Haitian students why they answer me in Creole. Here’s what they said. Using his own journey as a Haitian immigrant, Websder Corneille builds a connection with Haitian students and their caregivers and offers resources beyond school walls.

"I realized that it provides students with the opportunity to interact with someone who speaks their mother tongue and to feel connected on a different level. That’s no small thing." https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/09/25/educator-speaks-creole-to-connect-with-haitian-students/

Seeking support on unpacking the ISBE English Learner Path to Proficiency? Join Carly Spina for an exploration of the EL PtP and how to best utilize this data to support your students' language proficiency. RSVP at the IRC website.

You don't have to be a coding expert to integrate computer science into content-based learning! In this in-person PD workshop from CSEL, gain practical strategies for integrating computer science concepts into your science classroom in a way that supports and empowers ELs.

Looking for an energy boost as the days get shorter? We are too. That's why we're bringing together three of our specialists for a high-energy day of learning & resource-sharing centered on infusing joy in the classroom. Join us on 11/13 at NLU Wheeling; RSVP at the IRC website!

Whether you attended the first of our webinars focused on making math more accessible for multilingual learners or are jumping in at the second, taking in this entire three-part, FREE webinar series is highly recommended! RSVP on the IRC website.

Illinois wants to improve math teaching. Here’s a look at the state’s first draft numeracy plan. The new draft plan encourages schools to shift away from traditional methods for teaching math, such as memorization. It comes a year after the state adopted a literacy plan.

It's #MathMonday, and the state of Illinois has released its first draft of a comprehensive numeracy plan. Learn more about the plan and how to attend ISBE listening sessions: https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025/10/16/illinois-releases-draft-numeracy-plan/

When the Outside World Feeds Fear, Student Peer Support Becomes a Lifeline Jones-McKinney: This moment demands we listen to students, not just because they are the most affected, but because they are already leading the way.

A look at the importance of peer-to-peer support amidst unprecedented challenges for our students, and how educators can and should listen and learn from students around mental health: https://www.the74million.org/article/when-the-outside-world-feeds-fear-student-peer-support-becomes-a-lifeline/

2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists Announced The five titles honored by the National Book Foundation include three novels in verse.

Happy #FavoriteBookFridays! Today we're highlighting the National Book Award Young People's Literature Finalists, which include exciting new titles by FBF favorites Ibi Zoboi and Kyle Lukoff:

https://www.slj.com/story/2025-National-Book-Award-Young-Peoples-Literature-Finalists-Announced

Will you be at the Illinois Principals Association Conference in October? I have a session that Tuesday and I'd love to see you there!

"I Need" Cards: Printables for Newcomers At the beginning of the school year, I always encourage folks to prep a ton of these in anticipation of newcomer students that will arrive t...

Updated this tool just this week to add Haitian Creole thanks to Karina & Evens Paul!!
"I NEED" statement cards for newcomers! movingbeyondformls.blogspot.com/2023/08/i-ne...

What do language education and architecture have in common? Both can benefit from a universal design approach! IRC Specialist @maestraolivia.bsky.social led an energetic session about UDL and translanguaging and where these two concepts meet.

It was an honor to welcome the brilliant Dr. Sonia Soltero from DePaul University to share her insights with us on creating culturally responsive ecosystems for multilingual learners and working with an asset-based approach to student & family language & culture. Thank you, Dr. Soltero!

Only @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social would spend a wild Saturday night poring over a 13-year study of ELs. 😂

It's fitting then that she led a lively discussion about data, with a reminder that "ACCESS data is SCHOOL data" — it's a reflection of the way the entire school supports English learners.

A bittersweet morning as we celebrated the accomplishments of two ISBE leaders retiring later this school year — Seng Naolhu & Barry Pedersen.

Congrats, Seng & Barry, & thank you for all you have done & continue to do to support multilingual students!

We were honored to have ILTOY Victor Gómez as our keynote speaker. He shared his journey to becoming a bilingual STEM teacher, & how fellow educators can continue to embrace multilingualism as an asset in STEM instruction.

Thank you, Victor, for sharing your story!

"In Illinois, we believe a child does not need to lose a language in order to learn a language." —powerful words to start Day Two from Illinois Superintendent Tony Sanders

A packed house in Rosemont for another fabulous day of learning, connecting, growing and sharing resources at the Statewide Meeting for Administrators Supporting English Learners! Stay tuned for more updates & insights.

The future is here! Meet the new directors as we kick off the 2025 Statewide Meeting for Administrators Supporting English Learners! Excited to learn, grow & connect with these passionate educators.

Family Engagement Resource Document Trauma Resources Refugees Understanding Refugee Trauma: For Mental Health Professionals (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) Immigrants & Newcomers Core Stressors Tool Kit (updated 2019) F...

At our first EmpowerCon, Specialist Adelicia Brienzo led an informative workshop on culturally responsive family engagement practices. For those who couldn't make it to Rantoul, we're sharing the packed resource doc with you now!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Trump administration releases billions in education funding after a weekslong freeze The funding delay had schools scrambling to figure out how they might fill an unexpected budget gap, and some after-school programs abruptly closed.

Thank you to all the educators, administrators, education leaders, parents, partners and elected officials in Illinois and beyond who advocated for these important funds for our schools and communities to be released. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/25/t...

In case no one told you today,

Love this idea from @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social at EmpowerCon — “No” cards. Creating cards & affirmations that celebrate students putting in effort, like trying out for a team, even if they weren’t successful.

Next week, our all-new round of in-person workshops for parents and BPAC members begins! Join us at the West Lawn Library to get informed and connect with other parents. Sessions available in English & Spanish, and all are welcome!

PODCAST: 50 years later: How Lau v. Nichols changed education for English learners (Re-broadcast) In the 1974 case, the Court decided students who do not yet speak fluent English have a right to understand what is being taught in their classrooms.

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Lau vs. Nichols, a landmark case that enshrined language access in the classroom for English learners. This EdSource podcast looks at the impact of that ruling through the lens of a teacher, & is worth a listen.

edsource.org/podcast/educ...

ALL HANDS ON DECK: Take action to demand release of Title III funds! Although Congress appropriated $890 million in Title III funds for FY25, the U.S. Department of Education has not yet allocated these funds to the states. The July 1st deadline has since

Although Congress appropriated $890 million in Title III funds for FY25, the U.S. Department of Education has not yet allocated these funds to the states.

The time is now to act. Let's show up for our schools and communities, together.

irc.thecenterweb.org/all-hands-on...

NABE Call to Action-Attachments.docx Sample letter for contacting members of Congress: Subject: Constituents Urge Immediate Release of FY25 Title III ESSA Funds Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name], As your constituents and advocat...

Special thanks to NABE for their informative press conference yesterday regarding the Withholding of Title III Funds. They shared many thoughts, ideas, and resources. Witholding these *congressionally approved* funds is already making a HUGE NEGATIVE IMPACT docs.google.com/document/d/1...

WE SHOULD ALL CARE ABOUT TITLE III DOLLARS BEING WITHHELD. This directly impacts how we're able to serve & support multilingual learners in our schools and communities. GET INFORMED, GET CONNECTED, GET ACTIVE!

TAKE ACTION: Contact Congress to call for disbursement of Title III Funds Dear friends, We have just a few days left to ensure crucial federal Title III funds reach our schools and communities where it is needed most. These funds support salaries and curriculum, language i...

REMINDER: Please contact your members of Congress TODAY to demand the disbursement of Title III federal funds to support ELs! We've linked a tool to make emailing them easy.

irc.thecenterweb.org/take-action-...

Any fans of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” series in your class? CSEL cohort member Mellody Gomez from Antioch shows the exciting coding activities her third grade MLs are exploring, like making interactive book covers! Providing these tools & resources promote creativity, language dev & empowerment!

Celebrating three years of CSEL! Silvia Rogel shared the impact of our Computer Science for Every Learner initiative with educators & stakeholders & how this work promotes equity, opportunity & innovation for MLs. Thanks to Sen. Omar Aquino for supporting this work as well!