November 17, 2025

Virtually from 3:00-4:30 PM

Introduction to Teaching ELLs

This one-hour virtual session serves as a second follow-up to the October 3 professional development workshop. Designed as an open forum, the session provides teachers with an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, and share ideas as they begin applying strategies from the training in their classrooms. Participants are encouraged to bring specific scenarios, successes, and challenges for discussion. The session will be lightly facilitated to ensure time for both targeted guidance and peer-to-peer collaboration, helping teachers continue to build confidence in supporting English Language Learners.

November 19, 2025

Virtually from 3:15-4:15 PM

Family Engagement for ELLs

This one-hour professional development provides strategies for strengthening partnerships with families of English language learners. Participants will explore culturally responsive approaches to communication, ways to overcome language barriers, and practices that build trust and collaboration to support student success at home and school.

November 19, 2025

In-person at Questar III BOCES 9:00-3:00 PM

The Science of Reading for Multilingual Learners

The New York State Education Department is hosting a professional learning event titled “The Science of Reading for Multilingual Learners” on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM1/43:00 PM. The session will provide an overview of a new NYSED literacy toolkit designed to support effective reading instruction for ELLs/MLLs. The event will feature a special presentation by Dr. Socorro Herrera, who specializes in literacy development and culturally responsive instruction for multilingual learners.
During this hybrid event, participants will explore six briefs that address best practices for inclusive literacy instruction and examine differences in literacy needs among ELL, MLL, and monolingual students. Attendance requires in-person participation at a designated BOCES, Big 5, or Small City School District site, with the main location at the ON BOCES Conference Center in Sanborn, NY. This includes the Questar III Boces site in Castleton, NY. 

December 3, 2025

Virtually from 3:15-4:15 PM

Developing Language Objectives for Mapping and Planning Lessons for Our ELLs

This one-hour professional development guides educators in writing clear, purposeful language objectives that align with content standards and support English language learners. Participants will practice mapping lessons with both content and language goals in mind, ensuring that instruction promotes academic achievement while fostering English language development.

December 4, 2025

Virtually from 4 – 5:30 pm 

Know Your Rights with NYIC

Every student-regardless of immigration status-has the right to a safe, supportive, and equitable education. This session provides parents, teachers, and immigrant students with vital information about school protections, privacy laws, and access to resources. Learn how to advocate for your rights, support your school community, and ensure that every child can learn without fear or discrimination.

December 4, 2025

Virtually from 5 – 6 pm

Immigration in Early Childhood Education

Created for PreK through 2nd-grade educators, this resource supports teachers in creating inclusive, welcoming classrooms for young immigrant-origin students and their families across public, private, and religious preschools, Head Start sites, childcare centers, and community-based organizations.

During the webinar, participants will explore ways that early childhood educators can affirm and advocate for immigrant students and families through responsive teaching and community partnerships.

December 16, 2025

Virtually from 3:00-4:30 PM

Part I: Twice Exceptional/Dually Identified ELLs

This introductory virtual session focuses on English Language Learners (ELLs) who either receive Special Education (SPED) services, have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or may be at risk of dual identification due to additional learning needs. The session will be a collaborative presentation co-led by a Special Education Specialist and the RBERN team. Participants will explore the distinctions between language acquisition and disability, discuss how these factors intersect, and what to do when the two overlap. You will gain foundational knowledge about supporting dually identified students, how to collaborate effectively across teams, and apply strategies that support equitable identification and instruction. A follow-up full-day, in-person, workshop will be held on April 29th to deepen learning and provide practical strategies for classroom and program implementation.

December 17, 2025

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

MTSS for ELLs

This one-hour professional development provides educators with an understanding of how to effectively integrate English language learners into a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). Participants will explore how to distinguish language acquisition needs from other learning challenges, apply tiered interventions that address both academic and linguistic growth, and ensure equitable access to supports that foster success for multilingual students.

January 14, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

Dually Identified as ELLs and SPED

 This one-hour professional development helps educators better understand and support students who are both English language learners and identified for special education services. Participants will explore how to distinguish between language acquisition and learning disabilities, collaborate across service areas, and implement strategies that promote equitable access, growth, and success for these uniquely diverse learners.

January 28, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

SIFE ELLs Supports and Services

This one-hour professional development equips educators with strategies to support English language learners who have limited, interrupted, or inconsistent formal education (SIFE). Participants will explore approaches to build foundational literacy and numeracy skills, scaffold language development, and create engaging, trauma-informed learning experiences that promote both academic and linguistic growth.

February 11, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

ENL Instructional Practices for All ELLs

This one-hour professional development provides educators with research-based strategies to enhance instruction for English language learners. Participants will explore practical approaches to scaffold language, differentiate instruction, and promote academic engagement, ensuring that all multilingual students have access to rigorous and meaningful learning experiences.

February 25, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

ELL Resources and Supports

This one-hour professional development introduces educators to a range of tools, resources, and supports designed to enhance instruction for English language learners. Participants will explore instructional materials, technology, and strategies that promote language development, academic growth, and effective classroom implementation for multilingual students.

March 11, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

Formative and Summative Assessments for Progress Monitoring ELLs

This one-hour professional development equips educators with practical tools to track English language learners’ growth through both formative and summative assessments. Participants will learn how to use informal measures to guide instruction, provide timely feedback, and make data-informed decisions that support language development and academic achievement.

April 15, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

Co-Teaching to Support Our ELLs

This one-hour professional development explores effective co-teaching models for classroom and content-area teachers partnering with English language learner (ENL) teachers. Participants will learn strategies for collaborative planning, shared instruction, and integrated support that ensures all students have access to rigorous content while developing language proficiency.

April 29, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

AI Tools for Supporting ELLs

This one-hour professional development introduces educators to practical ways artificial intelligence can enhance instruction for English language learners. Participants will explore AI tools and strategies that support language development, scaffold academic content, personalize learning, and provide actionable feedback to accelerate student growth.

April 29, 2026

In-person at Questar III BOCES from 9:00-3:00

Part II: Deepening Learning on Dually Identified / Twice-Exceptional ELLs

This full day, in-person workshop, builds on and is a follow-up to the December 16th workshop, offering educators an opportunity to take a deeper dive into understanding and supporting dually identified / twice-exceptional ELLs. Participants will: Explore complex intersections between language acquisition and special education needs. Examine advanced instructional strategies, interventions, and supports for Special Education ELLs. Engage in interactive discussions and problem-solving to address real classroom challenges. Reflect on implementation experiences and clarify lingering questions from prior sessions. This session is designed to help educators solidify knowledge, refine practices, and build confidence in supporting ELLs with diverse and overlapping learning profiles.

May 13, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

CTE for ELLs

This one-hour professional development explores strategies for supporting English language learners in career and technical education (CTE) programs. Participants will learn how to scaffold language, adapt instructional materials, and implement culturally responsive practices that promote both technical skill development and academic success for multilingual students.

May 27, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

Modifications and Accommodations for Assessing and Grading ELLs

This one-hour professional development provides educators with strategies for fairly assessing and grading English language learners. Participants will explore effective modifications, accommodations, and assessment practices that ensure students’ language development is supported while accurately measuring academic growth and achievement.

June 10, 2026

Virtually from 3:15-4:15

Improving ELL Graduation Rates Via Supports in Assessments

This one-hour professional development explores strategies to help English language learners successfully meet high school graduation requirements. Participants will learn how to use assessments, accommodations, and targeted interventions to monitor progress, address learning gaps, and provide the supports necessary to promote academic success and timely graduation for multilingual students.