Does multilingual PD ever feel like its ceiling is too low? In Episode 1, I share my greatest wish for you, for multilingual students and families, and for our world.
Welcome to The Multilingual Belonging Podcast, powered by Together, Language. This show is for anyone in the school ecosystem, in any role: EL and ML specialists, classroom teachers, administrators, secretaries, registrars, central office leaders, bus drivers, TAs. If you have ever watched a multilingual student or family get overlooked, or seen the longing in a parent's eyes when they want something for their child but aren't being understood, and you want that gap to close, you're in the right place.
Fair warning: this is not an ML instructional podcast. Instruction matters here. It just isn't the boundary of the conversation.
In this episode, I share why I made this show, from turning down the English class in my first teaching job to what I learned about belonging after 18 years in and alongside schools. I also walk through the five themes you'll hear (language access, cultural wisdom, belonging, systemic change, and weekly Spanish micro-lessons), who I'm excited to have as guests, and my biggest wish of all. I'll ask you to bring your own greatest wish back with you next time.
Want to learn or sharpen your Spanish? Our first Spanish micro-lesson is out today, too.
A favor: this podcast is new, and subscribes, listens, and reviews in the first weeks help other educators find it. Please subscribe, and if you leave an honest review by November 30, email a screenshot to
[email protected]. I'll enter you in a drawing for one of ten original listener T-shirts and draw the winners on December 1. Be sure to tell me where to mail your shirt!
My greatest wish is that we build schools that model dignity, safety, and love for all people. And the only way to do that is together.