This episode of Highest Aspirations features Carly Spina, an author and passionate advocate for English learners, as she shares her inspiring journey and groundbreaking work.

Join us to hear how Carly's upbringing profoundly shaped her deep commitment to ELs, tracing her path from early experiences on Chicago's North Side to becoming a leading voice in education. We'll delve into her impactful work at the Illinois Resource Center, where she dedicates herself to supporting educators in creating more equitable and effective learning environments for these students. Discover the core philosophy behind her first acclaimed book, Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners, and get an exclusive sneak peek into her new book, Igniting Real Change for Multilingual Learners. This latest work aims to spark even more profound and urgent action within the field. This powerful episode offers a vital call to action for anyone committed to championing all students.

Key questions we address:

1. What is the deeper, systemic responsibility of educators beyond compliance when serving English learners, and how can we "do right" by them and their families?
2. What instructional strategies and philosophical shifts are necessary for content-area teachers to effectively serve and include newcomer English learners in mainstream classrooms?
3. How can school systems and educators move beyond inherited or problematic practices to genuinely "ignite real change" for English learners, fostering their growth and ensuring their equitable access to advanced opportunities?

For additional episode and community resources:

• Download the transcript here.

• Learn more about the Illinois Resource Center.

• Purchase Carly Spina’s first book Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners.

• Pre-order Carly Spina’s new book Igniting Real Change for Multilingual Learners.

• For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog.

Carly Spina has two decades of experience in Multilingual Education across various roles. She is currently a multilingual education specialist at the Illinois Resource Center, providing professional learning opportunities and technical assistance support to educators and leaders across the country. Her first book, Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners, was a 2023 Equity in Excellence Award Winner. Her second book, Igniting Real Change: Equity and Advocacy In Action, will be published in June of 2025.