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Redefining Literacy for Multilingual Learners: A School-Based Leadership Approach
Thursday, October 30, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Marybelle Marrero-Colón, Former Teacher, Current Associate Director of PD Programs, Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL); Dr. Kia Johnson, Senior Director, PreK-12 Professional Development and Evaluations, Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL); and Vanessa Wara Perrotta, Former Teacher, Current Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning, Vista Higher Learning
Sponsored by Vista
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
School administrators, building leaders, and lead teachers are essential to shaping effective literacy instruction for multilingual learners (MLs). This interactive edWebinar, led by an expert from the Center for Applied Linguistics, highlights why and how literacy development for MLs is distinct from that of native English speakers.
Viewers are introduced to the Comprehensive Literacy Approach for Multilingual Learners—an evidence-based framework that integrates all facets of language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This approach recognizes the value of students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds and leverages home languages alongside English, supporting biliteracy and dynamic, transferable foundational skills.
During the edWebinar, viewers engage in collaborative reflection and learn practical strategies to embed literacy goals into school and district improvement plans. The presenters share how to align professional development, curriculum resources, and formative assessment data in order to strengthen literacy outcomes for multilingual learners.
Learning objectives include:
- Understanding the elements of the Comprehensive Literacy Approach
- Identifying evidence-based strategies tailored for MLs
- Aligning professional learning and curricula with literacy goals
Viewers receive a leadership resource tip sheet with actionable strategies they can implement right away. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen literacy pathways and foster success for multilingual learners in your community. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, education technology leaders, bilingual directors, multilingual directors, and Title I and Title III coordinators.
About the Presenters
In her 38 years as an educator, inclusion specialist, program coordinator, administrator, and professional developer, Marybelle Marrero-Colón has acquired experience within the fields of ESL, bilingual education, bilingual special education, special education instruction and evaluation, content area instruction, and professional development. She has been an adjunct professor at various colleges and universities in teacher preparation programs. These include, but are not limited to, Central Connecticut State University, College of New Rochelle, College of Mount Saint Vincent, and the University of Maryland-Baltimore Campus. At the current time, Marybelle is the Associate Director of Professional Development Relations for CAL.
For the Center for Applied Linguistics, she has provided coaching, workshops, and presentations for schools, districts, national conferences, and various education-based organizations on topics involving bilingual students, English learners, dually identified students, and second language acquisition. Marybelle has a B.A. in psychology and Spanish language and literature, an M.A. in bilingual special education, and an M.S. in administration and supervision with a specialty in professional development. She is also a US Department of Education Title VII Fellow in Bilingual Special Education. In her spare time, Marybelle is an avid reader, cook, and crafter.
Dr. Kia Johnson is Senior Director of PreK–12 Professional Development and Evaluations at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), where she leads research-based training, coaching, and evaluation initiatives that strengthen instructional practices and program quality for multilingual learners. She has more than 17 years of experience as an educator, leader, and policy specialist, having served as an ESL teacher, department chair, and English Learner Assessment and Title III Specialist at the Virginia Department of Education. In that role, she oversaw statewide implementation of WIDA’s assessments and Title III compliance for Virginia’s 115,000 English learners. Her research, which examines the leadership practices of EL Program Directors in low-incidence districts, reflects her commitment to equity-centered leadership and integrating language, identity, and culture into instructional systems. Dr. Johnson holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University.
Vanessa Wara Perrotta’s career began as an elementary school teacher in Las Vegas, where she discovered her lifelong passion for improving instruction and learning outcomes for multilingual learners. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading curriculum and professional development initiatives to her role as Director of Customer Engagement with Vista.
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.
Vista is a leading publisher and edtech provider solely dedicated to language learning. For more than 25 years, Vista has partnered with educators to create innovative print and digital solutions that empower diverse learners, develop language and literacy, and promote intercultural understanding. By raising the standard of language teaching and learning, our hope is to positively impact the lives of countless learners around the world. For more information, visit www.VistaHigherLearning.com
