Return to Better: Resources for ELL Educators for Summer/Fall 2021
This resource collection offers ELL educators many materials to use in preparation for the 2021-22 school year. These resources are also available in a PDF and Google slides deck (view-only) from a Spring 2021 AFT event, posted below.
Event Archive: Lifting Our ELLs Up
This special AFT event offers an in-depth discussion of important considerations for ELLs during the 2021-22 school year.
Articles & Guides
Reflection
- Reflection Questions for Teachers and Students: Looking Back at Our Year
- ELL Educator Reflection Survey
Social-emotional support
- Using a Strengths-Based Approach with ELs: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence and Chronic Stress
- How COVID-19 Is Impacting ELL and Immigrant Families
- Unaccompanied Children in Schools: What You Need to Know
- Supporting Indigenous Latinx Students' Success in U.S. Schools
Creating a welcoming environment
- How to Create a Welcoming Classroom Environment for ELLs
- 8 Strategies for Building Relationships with ELLs in Any Learning Environment
- Responding to COVID Bullying, Bias, and Violence Against Asian Americans
Instruction
Series from Salina Elementary School in Dearborn, MI
- Supporting Young ELLs' Success During COVID-19 (Part 1)
- Supporting ELL Success with STEAM and Hands-On Learning (Part 2)
Distance/hybrid instruction
- Teaching ELLs Online: How to Develop Students' Language Skills
- Distance Learning for ELLs: Colorín Colorado Guide
Collaboration and advocacy
- How ELL Educators Can Collaborate and Co-Teach During COVID-19
- Our New Normal: How ELL Educators Are Advocating for Our Students and Our Profession During COVID-19
- Equity Through Language Access: Best Practices for Collaborating with Interpreters
- Video Interview: Dr. Ayanna Cooper on Supporting Black Immigrant Students
Family engagement
- Communicating with ELL Families During COVID-19: 10 Strategies for Schools
- Partnering with Immigrant Families During COVID-19: Lessons Learned from a Community School
- The Importance of Emergency Contact Information
Funding support for ELLs
- Funding EL Education: Making the Most of Policy and Budget Levers (Migration Policy Institute)
- Action Guide: Targeting Resources from the American Rescue Plan to Address the Needs of English Learners (The Next100, Unidos, and Education Trust)
Webinars and professional development
American Federation of Teachers
- What ELL Educators Need to Know As Schools Reopen
- AFT's Summer Educator Academy 2021
- How ELL Educators Can Prepare for 2021-2022 (TEACH 2021 Session, information TBD)
Roseville, MN Schools: Facebook Community Pages
Roseville Area Schools ISD 623 is a school district in the greater Twin Cities area serving many diverse communities. The district has developed a series of Facebook pages for its families; the pages serving ELL families include translated messages and posts from family liaisons and educators. These pages have been critical outreach platforms during COVID-19.
To see what this outreach looks like, take a look at the pages below and our webinar that features these resources:
- Familias Latinas de las Escuelas de Roseville
- Hmong Families of Roseville Area Schools ISD 623
- Karen Families of Roseville Area Schools ISD 623
- Bhutanese Families of Roseville Area Schools ISD 623
- Ubuntu Families of Roseville Area Schools ISD 623
- African American Students and Families of Roseville Area Schools ISD 623
- Roseville Area Schools Indian Education ISD 623
Multilingual Resources for Families
New! Language and Literacy Tips for Multilingual Families
Colorín Colorado's new series of 8 tips for families is available in 16 languages. Share these tips with your families in two ways:
1) A tip sheet: One single page with all 8 tips
2) One tip at a time via social media graphics
Special Education and Your Child: FAQ for Multilingual Families
This tip sheet in 14 languages can help multilingual families who have questions about the special education process.
Videos: Teaching During COVID-19
"If I knew then what I know now...."
Collaboration on Behalf of ELLs During COVID-19
Teaching During COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Success Stories
Social-Emotional Support for Students During COVID-19
Technology for ELLs During COVID-19
Immigrant Family Engagement During COVID-19
Self Care for Educators During a Pandemic
School and District Leaders
Kellie Jones, Bilingual Education Director: Lessons Learned During COVID-19
Dr. Jennifer Love, Language Access Supervisor: Language Access During the COVID-10 Pandemic
Victor Tam, Principal: Responding to COVID-19 Bullying and Bias
Nathaniel Provencio, Associate Superintendent: Social-emotional support for ELLs during COVID-19
Videos: Social-Emotional Support for ELLs
Finding a friend after Hurricane Maria
You Are Welcome Here: Supporting the Social and Emotional Health of Newcomer Immigrants
A warm welcome for immigrant families in the front office
Looking at the whole child: Conversations with an award-winning social worker
Videos: New Teachers of ELLs
New teachers of ELLs: Lessons learned and success stories
Expert advice for new teachers of ELLs
