Advancing Multilingual Education: Translanguaging, Biliteracy, and 2025 Trends

Presented by Tara Sowels, Director of Multilingual Programs, Garland Independent School District (TX); Dr. Yesenia Sánchez, Chief Academic Officer-in-Residence, Age of Learning; and Victor Raga, Director, Biliteracy Curriculum, Age of Learning

Sponsored by Age of Learning

Watch the RecordingListen to the Podcast

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join us for a dynamic and insightful edWebinar as we dive into the future of multilingual education with a focus on translanguaging and biliteracy. This session brings together leading experts to explore innovative, real-world approaches that are transforming classrooms around the country.

What you learn:

• Innovative Approaches and Technologies: Discover cutting-edge methodologies and AI-driven tools that are reshaping how we teach multilingual learners.
• Cultural and Cognitive Benefits: Explore how translanguaging and biliteracy not only foster cross-cultural understanding but also enhance cognitive development and prepare students for a global workforce.
• Policy and Implementation Insights: Learn about integrating these practices into educational policies and classrooms and hear real-world challenges and successes.

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-5 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.

About the Presenters

Tara Sowels has served as the Director of Multilingual Programs for Garland ISD for the past three years. With over two decades of experience, she has excelled as a bilingual classroom teacher, bilingual pull-out teacher, language acquisition specialist, bilingual/ESL instructional specialist PK-12, and district elementary summer school principal. Tara holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, a master’s degree in bilingual/ESL education, and an administrator certification. She has also worked as a national bilingual education consultant and founded a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering educators to support emergent bilingual students effectively.

Dr. Yesenia Sánchez, Chief Academic Officer-in-Residence at Age of Learning, is a champion for educational equity with over 20 years of experience. Starting as a bilingual teacher in a low-performing school district, Dr. Sánchez has significantly impacted school systems across the country, particularly through her leadership in developing robust dual-language programs that bridge educational gaps and celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity. With roots in Mexico, Dr. Sánchez brings a diverse perspective and remains dedicated to inspiring future leaders and advocating for the success of every student.

Victor Raga is the Director of Biliteracy Curriculum at Age of Learning. With a Master of Education in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio and specialized training from Harvard University, Victor brings over two decades of experience as Director of Bilingual and ESL Programs and as a campus principal in a major Texas school district. His rich educational background and proven leadership skills are instrumental in driving successful initiatives that enhance bilingual literacy and language acquisition.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join the Helping ELL, ESL, and Bilingual Students Succeed community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Age of Learning® is the leading education technology innovator, creating engaging and effective learning resources to help children build a strong foundation for academic success and a lifelong love of learning. Our research-based digital education programs have been developed by an experienced team of education experts and have proven efficacy in increasing children’s learning gains. The company’s school solutions programs include My Math Academy®, an adaptive, personalized program proven to significantly accelerate math learning outcomes, and My Reading Academy™, an adaptive program designed to help young learners build a foundation for reading comprehension and literacy and become fluent readers. With over 10 billion learning activities completed by more than 50 million children worldwide, Age of Learning is a global leader in efforts to advance equity, access, and opportunity for all children. To learn more about Age of Learning, visit www.AgeofLearning.com.