MEGA Conference 2026
ALSDE English Learner Connections
Important!
Session times and locations may change, so be sure to check the MEGA Conference Program when you arrive for the most up-to-date information.
Bridging Support: How School Counselors and ESOL Educators Can Partner to Strengthen Success for Multilingual Learners
Date: Monday, July 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Riverview Hotel - Bon Secour Rooms
Presenters:
Jamie Harrison, Auburn University
Malti Tuttle, Auburn University
Maria Franco, English Learners Administrator, ALSDE
Nancy Blanco, English Learners, ALSDE
Magon McAnelly, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Tracy Goreed, Counseling, ALSDE
- Collaboration between school counselors and ESOL educators improves outcomes for multilingual learners
- Strategies for creating welcoming schools and strengthening communication
- Support for key processes like records review and student placement
- Actionable tools and shared practices to give every child, every chance, every day
English Learner Updates
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Location:
Presenter: Maria Franco, EL Administrator, ALSDE
Description:
This session delivers the latest state guidance for serving multilingual learners in Alabama’s K–12 schools, including updates to instructional expectations, program requirements, and available supports. Participants will also learn about statewide technical assistance and upcoming professional development opportunities. Meet all 12 Regional English Learner Specialists, hear what’s happening across Alabama, and bring your questions to help shape future support for educators and students.
Building Cultural Competence: Library Collections that Reflect All Students
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/ 201B
Presenters:
Christina Thurman, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Susanne Estes, Library Media Content Specialist, ALSDE
Description:
This session explores how librarians and ESL teachers can partner to create welcoming library experiences for all students. Participants will learn ways to choose materials, design programs, and create displays that connect to students’ lives and support their learning. Special attention will be given to simple starting points for supporting English Learners and their families, including ideas that help them feel comfortable and confident using the library. Attendees will leave with clear places to begin and practical first steps they can build on as they strengthen connections with every student.
What Impactful EL Walkthroughs Look Like
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/201B
Presenters: Miguelina Quiñones-Mason, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Ann Marie Batista, EL Program Supervisor, Decatur City Schools
Description:
This session supports school and district leaders in strengthening instructional practices for English Learners through purposeful classroom walkthroughs. Participants will learn how to identify key indicators of effective EL instruction aligned to WIDA 2020 ELD Standards and Tier 1 practices. Emphasis is placed on using walkthroughs to build shared understanding, guide instructional conversations, and provide clear, actionable feedback that supports teachers and improves learning outcomes for multilingual learners across classrooms.
Stronger Together: How Districts of All Sizes Leverage Ellevation for Big EL Gains
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 2:05 PM - 3:35 PM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/201B
Presenters:
Dr. Stephanie Reynolds, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Adam Howard, State Partnership Manager, Ellevation Education
Seda Yoruk, Senior Partner Success Manager, Ellevation Education
Elizabeth Onyebueke, Partner Success Manager, Ellevation Education
LEA EL District Coordinators and Specialists
Description:
In this session, the ALSDE and Ellevation Education partner success team will give an overview of critical updates for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Following the overview, a panel of LEA representatives will share ideas for successful implementation of English Learner state requirements and instructional supports through Ellevation Platform and Ellevation Strategies. EL coordinators and specialists will describe ways in which they have: increased collaboration among teachers, administrators, EL teams, and district leaders; utilized Ellevation parent letters to communicate with EL families, analyzed district and school-wide data, and how they created professional learning opportunities to foster academic growth/achievement and increase English language proficiency. Other topics may be addressed as well, and we will end with a brief Q&A.
EL Instructional Models: Creative Approaches to Finding the Right Fit
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 2:05 PM - 3:35 PM
Location: Riverview/Windjammer
Presenters:
Emily Murray, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Magon McAnelly, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
LEAs
Description:
This presentation explores both common and innovative instructional models for English learners, highlighting how schools have creatively adapted approaches to meet student needs while leveraging staff strengths and district resources.
High-Quality Instruction and Assessment: A Guide for Administrators
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/ 201B
Presenters:
Maria Franco, EL Administrator, ALSDE
Heidi Goertzen, Senior Research Associate, RMC Research
Description:
To increase knowledge among administrators on evidence-based instruction and coaching practices to support Educators with the implementation of the High-Quality Instruction and Assessment (HQIA) Guidance.
Turning WIDA ACCESS Data into Action for English Learners
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/201B
Presenter: Danielle White, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Description:
This session will help participants use ACCESS data as a powerful tool to shape English learner (EL) programming and day-to-day instruction. Participants will learn how to interpret key ACCESS score components (composite and domain scores, proficiency levels, and growth trends), connect them directly to instructional decisions and program design, and explore how to use longitudinal data to identify patterns.
Game On! Level Up Students’ Language and Literacy Learning
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/106B
Presenters:
Magon Bannister, Regional Literacy Specialist, ARI
Nancy Blanco, Statewide EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Dr. Donita Hicks, ARI Education Specialist, ALSDE
Kelly Vaziri, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Description:
What if strengthening language and literacy felt more like play than practice? This session invites educators to explore how purposeful, game-based instruction enhances language development and reading outcomes for English learners. Participants will review Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP), examine stages of second language acquisition, and engage in interactive games. Educators will reflect on the language and literacy skills students use during play, making intentional connections to Scarborough’s Reading Rope and the ELA Course of Study. The session provides planning resources and highlights ARI and EL regional support to promote collaboration and classroom impact.
Leading for Literacy: An Instructional Leader's Guide to Driving Measurable Writing Growth
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/106B
Presenters:
Nancy Blanco, Statewide EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Lari Valtierra, Jefferson County Schools
Dr. Tanya Crockett, Jefferson County Schools
Shannon Wiliams, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Charlotte Alavarez, Tuscaloosa County Schools
Dr. Lori Edmonds, UAB ESOL
Katie Harrison, Pelham City Schools
Kristi Garcia, Tuscaloosa City Schools
Ann Marie Batista, Decatur City Schools
Description:
Instructional leaders play a pivotal role in advancing writing achievement and academic language development across K–12. This session equips leaders with tools for driving measurable growth, working backwards from WIDA ACCESS Writing results and retired test items to student work examples and writing lesson plans. Participants will work together to identify commonalities across WIDA’s revised, more rigorous ACCESS scoring expectations and 2020 standards and Alabama’s ELA Course of Study and ACAP expectations. By analyzing WIDA Language Charts and examining model writing lessons, participants will explore ways to support teachers in implementing proven strategies that accelerate academic language learning for all students and English language proficiency growth for English Learners. Attendees will leave with actionable steps for supporting teachers in writing instruction and improving student performance on writing assessments.
Driving EL Success: Strategies Behind a District’s ELP Growth in Elementary and High School
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/ 201B
Presenters:
Jhina Garcia Snell, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Markel Strawder, EL Specialist, Enterprise City Schools
Stanley Sauls, Principal, Enterprise High School
Susan Burns, Assistant Principal, Enterprise High School
Bernadine Segui, EL Teacher, Enterprise High School
Description:
This session showcases how a district successfully improved English Learner (EL) performance across elementary and high school by implementing intentional, language-focused instructional practices. Participants will explore real growth data, learn what strategies had the greatest impact, and see how collaboration and consistent support helped ELs make meaningful progress.
English Learner Updates
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/ 204B
Presenter: Maria Franco, EL Administrator, ALSDE
Description:
This session delivers the latest state guidance for serving multilingual learners in Alabama’s K–12 schools, including updates to instructional expectations, program requirements, and available supports. Participants will also learn about statewide technical assistance and upcoming professional development opportunities. Meet all 12 Regional English Learner Specialists, hear what’s happening across Alabama, and bring your questions to help shape future support for educators and students.
EL Program Essentials: Foundations for New and Growing Coordinators
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 2:05 PM - 3:35 PM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/201B
Presenters:
Ann Marie Batista, EL Program Supervisor, Decatur City Schools
Dr. Mónica Farris, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Robin Stutts, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Becky Wilson, Education Specialist, Federal Programs Section, ALSDE
Description:
Designed for EL program coordinators, this session serves as an introduction to leading and coordinating an effective EL program. Participants will explore essential program components, including required timelines, screening and placement procedures, and ongoing program responsibilities. The session brings together state perspectives, including insights from federal programs and EL education specialists, to highlight effective EL program practices. Through practical examples, attendees will gain a clear understanding of how EL program systems function across district contexts. Participants will leave with foundational knowledge and practical resources to confidently navigate the coordinator role and support high-quality programs.
Bridging Pathways: Empowering English Learners for College and Career Success
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 2:05 PM - 3:35 PM
Location:
Presenters:
Cristin Dillard, education Administrator, Instructional Services, ALSDE
Shenitra Dees, Graduation Rate/College and Career Readiness, Instructional Services, ALSDE
Mayté Cotton, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Tarrant City Twilight Admin/CO Admin
Description:
This session focuses on supporting English Learners in navigating graduation pathways that lead to meaningful college and career opportunities. Educators, counselors, and administrators will examine how language development, academic progress, and graduation requirements intersect, and explore strategies that ensure EL students can fully access and succeed in college- and career-ready pathways. Participants will engage in practical examples and collaborative discussions to identify effective supports, leverage students’ linguistic and cultural strengths, and clarify their role in guiding EL students toward graduation and successful postsecondary transitions.
Repeated Session: Game On! Level Up Students’ Language and Literacy Learning
Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Mobile Convention Center/106B
Presenters:
Magon Bannister, Regional Literacy Specialist, ARI
Nancy Blanco, Statewide EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Dr. Donita Hicks, ARI Education Specialist, ALSDE
Kelly Vaziri, EL Education Specialist, ALSDE
Description:
Instructional leaders play a pivotal role in advancing writing achievement and academic language development across K–12. This session equips leaders with tools for driving measurable growth, working backwards from WIDA ACCESS Writing results and retired test items to student work examples and writing lesson plans. Participants will work together to identify commonalities across WIDA’s revised, more rigorous ACCESS scoring expectations and 2020 standards and Alabama’s ELA Course of Study and ACAP expectations. By analyzing WIDA Language Charts and examining model writing lessons, participants will explore ways to support teachers in implementing proven strategies that accelerate academic language learning for all students and English language proficiency growth for English Learners. Attendees will leave with actionable steps for supporting teachers in writing instruction and improving student performance on writing assessments.
Federal Programs Title III and English Learners
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Riverview/Bon Secour II
Presenter: Becky Wilson, Education Specialist, Federal Programs Section, ALSDE
Description:
Come learn about the guidelines and regulations of Title III and how they impact your work at the school and district level for our EL and Immigrant students.
World Language Pathways & Student Success
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Riverview/ Windjammer
Presenter: Teresina Vazquez, World Languages Education Specialist, ALSDE
Description:
Join the ALSDE World Languages Education Specialist to explore strategies that ensure all students have access to the Seal of Biliteracy. We will discuss effective World Language classroom practices and highlight the impact of World Languages on student success.
Becky Wilson
Education Specialist, Federal Programs
