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Closing the Reading Gap for EL Learners: Your Multilingual Learners Are Here
Thursday, April 18, 2024 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent in Residence, Council of Great City Schools and Texas Urban Council; and Dr. Tony Smith, Deputy Superintendent, Denver Public Schools (CO)
Moderated by Dr. Donna Wright, Retired School Superintendent and Education Consultant
Sponsored by Really Great Reading
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The National Education Association states that by 2025, one out of four children in classrooms across the nation will be an English language learner student. Low literacy rates are no secret when it comes to the reality of all our students, and even more so for our English learners. In this edLeader Panel, we discuss the application of the Science of Reading when it comes to English learners and current gaps that have yet to be met in the literacy space.
Here to share some insights on this topic are two influential and respected individuals in the field of diversity and education, Dr. Michael Hinojosa, whose career spans over four decades in six public education systems, and Dr. Tony Smith, who has more than 20 years of experience serving diverse students.
This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 school and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Dr. Michael Hinojosa brings over 27 years of experience as superintendent/CEO across six public education systems, notably Dallas ISD in Texas and Cobb County School District in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, both among America’s largest. His over-40-year career spans from teacher to superintendent. Retiring from Dallas ISD in June 2022, his leadership emphasizes education over environment, driving improved student achievement. His accolades include 2002 Superintendent of the Year (Texas Association of School Boards), 2005 Superintendent of the Year (University of Texas at Austin), and Distinguished Alumnus (Texas Tech University). Further recognitions include 2014 Outstanding Latino Educator (Association of Latino Administrators), 2019 Best Public Official (D Magazine), and 2020 Urban Educator of the Year (Council of the Great City Schools). He also received the 2021 EmpowerED Digital Superintendent Award (CoSN and AASA) and the 2022 Champion of Science and Medicine (Dallas County Medical Society). As Superintendent in Residence for Council of Great City Schools and Texas Urban Council, Dr. Hinojosa continues his impactful work. A proud Dallas ISD graduate with a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, he and his wife, Kitty, have three successful sons, all attending Dallas ISD for a significant part of their K-12 journey.
Dr. Anthony Smith proudly serves as the Deputy Superintendent for the Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district, educating over 83,000 students. His leadership is anchored in principles of equity, integrity, and accountability, instilled since youth. Raised in Chicago and Shreveport, he treasures his biracial upbringing, embracing diverse cultures. With a journey spanning nine K-12 schools, he pursued higher education at Adams State University on athletic scholarships. Beginning as a Title 1 teacher, Dr. Smith’s 18+ years in Denver’s educational landscape saw roles including assistant principal, principal, and regional instructional superintendent. Notably, he led a successful turnaround at KIPP Texas DFW, ensuring no schools faced state accountability issues in 2022. Dr. Smith’s life ethos, encapsulated by Vince Lombardi’s words, drives his mission: to enhance equity and outcomes for Black and Brown students, leveraging his doctoral focus on improvement science.
About the Moderator
Dr. Donna Wright has served in many roles in her 40-plus-year career as an educator. She has positively influenced the educational field as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, deputy director, and superintendent. Dr. Wright was named the 2020 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year, retiring in 2021. Currently, she is working with several educational organizations as a consultant and advisor, as well as serving as a Lead Superintendent with AASA and the National Women’s Leadership Consortium.
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Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Really Great Reading has been leading the charge in effective Science of Reading strategies for over 18 years with our proven PK-12 curriculum in foundational literacy and intervention teaching methodologies. We turn reading research into classroom practice, ensuring teachers have cutting-edge strategies and tools in classrooms across the country. It is our unwavering commitment to students and educators that sets us apart from other Science of Reading curricula, and this is evident in the student outcomes and results that districts and schools see when using our products.
