edWebinars
«Back to all edWebinars- This event has passed.
Amplify Multilingual Voices: Build Digital Identity and Community with Student Interviews
Monday, March 2, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST
Presented by Gurbir Kahlon, ELA Teacher and ELD Coordinator, West High School, Torrance Unified School District (CA); and Sue Thotz, Former Educator, Current Director, Education Outreach, Common Sense Media
Moderated by Jennifer Ehehalt, Former Educator, Current Senior Regional Manager, Common Sense Education
Sponsored by Common Sense Education
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Multilingual learners need intentional opportunities to speak, listen, and connect. In this edWebinar, join Gurbir Kahlon, ELA Teacher and ELD Coordinator, and Sue Thotz, Director of Education Outreach at Common Sense Media, to discover how interview-based learning scaffolds meaningful conversations, strengthens language development, and builds confidence.
Viewers discover quick lessons and learn practical strategies to support multilingual learners while creating inclusive experiences that benefit all students. In this project-based learning approach, students use interviews to practice communication skills, collaborate with peers, and reflect on how their voices contribute to a shared classroom community and their growing digital identities.
This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers and librarians.
About the Presenters
Gurbir Kahlon is a high school ELA and ELD teacher in Torrance, California, with a passion for designing engaging, student-centered curricula at the intersection of literacy, technology, and AI. She leverages edtech tools to expand access, support multilingual learners, and elevate reading and writing across content areas. A collaborative educator, Gurbir thrives in professional learning communities throughout her district and through networks such as the California Writing Project and broader edtech communities. She believes literacy fuels creativity, critical thinking, and student voice—and that technology, when used intentionally, can amplify these outcomes for all learners. Outside the classroom, Gurbir enjoys reading nonfiction, listening to podcasts, and walks to the beach.
Sue Thotz (she/her) is the Director of Outreach for Common Sense Education and Co-founder of Equity in Action CA. In 2011, Sue began working for Common Sense by providing support and training for educators and administrators on issues of digital culture and wellness. As a co-founder of Equity in Action CA, she has facilitated conferences that emphasize the importance of identity and belonging and strive to amplify marginalized voices in the education technology space. Sue is the winner of the 2023 CUE Making IT Happen Award. Prior to Common Sense, Sue was a researcher and educator. Sue holds a master’s degree in public health and an undergraduate degree in zoology and chemistry.
About the Moderator
As Senior Regional Manager, Jennifer Ehehalt designs and delivers high-quality professional development opportunities for educators across the country. She spotlights thought leaders by creating and moderating conversations on timely topics relevant to digital teaching and learning. When attending Jennifer’s edWeb sessions, participants know they will leave with concrete strategies from the field, including how to build a positive school culture, use straightforward templates to guide challenging conversations, and implement family engagement ideas.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Digital Learning & Leadership community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Common Sense Education develops high-quality digital citizenship programs and digital teaching resources, providing educators and students with the digital learning tools they need to harness the power of technology for life.
