Andrea Bitner is a K-12 English language teacher, reading specialist, and passionate advocate for multilingual learners. With 26 years of experience, she supports students and teachers across multiple districts while also providing professional development nationally. Andrea is the author of two books about multilingual learners—Take Me Home and When Niagara Falls—and publishes a weekly newsletter, What's Your P.L.A.N., focused on practical strategies for supporting English learners and their families.

In this episode, Andrea Bitner shares her journey from high school English teacher to reading specialist to English language teacher, driven by a commitment to serve students who needed her most. She challenges common misconceptions about multilingual learners—including the harmful belief that lack of language equals lack of intelligence—and emphasizes that no two English learner stories are the same. Andrea offers practical strategies for integrating literacy instruction with language development, building strong home-school partnerships, and creating collaborative structures where content teachers and EL specialists work together. Throughout the conversation, she reminds us that advocacy starts small, collaboration is essential, and the greatest joy comes from watching students and families grow over time.

Key Takeaways:

• No English learner story is the same. Always ask about first language literacy and educational background before making instructional decisions.
• Survey teachers on their confidence supporting English learners, then provide targeted professional development based on their needs.
• Advocacy starts small. Pick one area to focus on rather than trying to solve everything at once.
• Professional growth requires getting "off your block." Connect with educators beyond your building through social media, newsletters, and professional networks.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Welcome to Literacy Across Languages!

(03:36) Meet Andrea Bitner

(06:37) Appreciating the Diversity of Multilingual Learners

(10:29) Myths and Misconceptions around Multilingual Literacy

(13:41) Tips for Collaboration

(17:59) Integrating Language and Literacy Instruction

(20:13) Supporting Diverse Learners with Orton Gillingham

(24:40) Engaging Families in Literacy

(29:29) Advocacy as an Educator of Multilingual Students

(32:19) Growing Our Craft Through Continual Learning

(34:43) Remembering Our Why in Working with Multilingual Learners

(37:05) The Joy of Growth Over Time

(38:55) Takeaways

Episode Resources:

1. Subscribe to Andrea's weekly newsletter: What's Your P.L.A.N.?
2. Read Andrea's books: Take Me Home and When Niagara Falls
3. Sign up for a free account with Talking Points to support home-school communication across languages.

Stay Connected:

• Visit us at ⁠literacyacrosslanguages.com⁠.
• Email us with questions or episode suggestions at [email protected].
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Keywords: English learner advocacy, family partnerships, home-school connection, reading specialist, literacy and language integration, collaboration, accommodations, Orton-Gillingham, decoding instruction, comprehension strategies, teacher confidence, professional development, first language literacy, multilingual learner diversity, asset-based approach