Conferences & Institutes

The Language Series

Wilkomen! Benvenuti! Bienvenidos! Ni hau! Welcome!

The 2021 Language Series, “Language Teaching and the Arts,” was held on October 23, 2021 as a virtual space for educators (teachers, librarians, administrators, coaches, consultants, teacher education program faculty) to share their design of learning experiences integrated with the arts for language-minoritized children and nurture our understandings of curriculum and pedagogy that validate the language practices of all children. We consider the urgency needed in nurturing the creative spirit, creating spaces for art as healing, and in addressing anti-Black linguistic racism (Baker-Bell, 2020) and raciolinguistic ideologies (Flores & Rosa, 2015) across English-medium and bilingual learning spaces.

The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Jamila Lyiscott, followed by workshops with content in Early Childhood, Childhood/Elementary, Middle Grades/Secondary, Teacher Education, and Family and Community Partnerships.

Teachers, parents, and leaders will expand their repertoire of effective and developmentally appropriate language learning skills at the day-long conference. You will choose breakout sessions for hands-on learning opportunities and discuss topics relevant to progressive language learning. Led by experts in the field, you’ll explore teaching tools such as music, movement, and drama and learn how they will excite your students as they develop their bilingualism/multilingualism.

As a participant, you will:

  • Learn to create transformative moments of language growth in the classroom
  • Re-energize your practice with developmentally appropriate tools and techniques
  • Choose from interactive, hands-on sessions that match your personal interests
  • Meet and network with peers and explore an exchange of progressive ideas together

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Dr. Jamila Lyiscott

Keynote Speaker Dr. Jamila Lyiscott

Jamila Lyiscott aka, Dr. J, is an aspiring way-maker, a community-engaged scholar, nationally renowned speaker, and the author of Black Appetite. White Food: Issues of Race, Voice, and Justice Within and Beyond the Classroom. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she is the co-founder and co-director of the Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research. Dr. J is most well known for being featured on TED.com where her video, ‘3 Ways to Speak English,’ has been viewed over 4.8 million times, and for her commissioned TED Talk, ‘2053’ in response to the inauguration of the 45th occupant of the white house. She has delivered keynotes and workshops at 100s of institutions throughout the nation where she works closely with youth, educators, and communities towards racial healing, equity, and justice.

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Testimonial
The discussion with my peers on oral language, building language, and project-based learning was and continues to deepen my understandings of language and literacy development for my students.
A.J.
Museum Magnet School
Testimonial
Networking and sharing ideas and experiences with teachers at my grade level and others were extremely useful. Engaging with the presenters and doing hands-on activities in my workshops was the best way for my to experiment and learn. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
M.L.
The Cathedral School
Testimonal
The use of different media including PowerPoint, posters, and pocket charts with word/sentence strips made the presentations very engaging. The descriptions of specific procedures given in the handouts and presentation materials gave me a wealth of ideas I can use for creating charts in my mini lessons or use as references for my students during independent workshop activities.
E.V.T.
PS 17, Queens
Testimonial
I am overwhelmed with the amount of good, practical information!
P.T.
Bank Street Graduate School Student
Testimonial
Everything was interesting and engaging. I got ideas that I will implement immediately, like a workshop for parents to help them help their children. I also learned about things I want to explore further.
M.C.
The Family School 443X
Testimonial
I have never been to Bank Street before, only know of its wonderful reputation. It has been a treat to attend. Thanks for the opportunity!
A.L.
Plainedge, Long Island
Testimonial
Can’t wait for next year!
M.C.
George Washington School, White Plains, NY