Upcoming Share My Lesson Webinars: Supporting Multilingualism & Celebrating Neurodiversity

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Text at the top reads, "FREE WEBINARS: 2025 Share My Lesson Virtual Conference." Below are two graphics. One shows the American Institutes for Research's COLLTS resource with text across the middle that reads, "Supporting the Superpower of Multilingualism in Young Children." The other boasts the book cover for Flap Your Hands by Steve Asbell and the Lee & Low Books logo.
Register for these two free webinars hosted by Share My Lesson for their 2025 Virtual Conference!

Date: Wednesday,  March 26, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
Duration: 1 Hour
How to Join: Register here

Young multilingual learners (MLs) comprise a large and growing proportion of children in early learning and care settings. Children have the capacity to acquire more than one language, and multilingualism has academic and cognitive benefits (NASEM, 2017). Greater understanding is needed, however, in the ways early learning and care providers can best support young MLs’ language development.

This session will provide an overview of key evidence-based practices for supporting MLs from PreK through 3rd grade, drawing from the resources and strategies presented in the online platform Multilingual Learning Toolkit.

We will highlight a case study of Michigan’s efforts to provide online tools and professional learning on the evidence based practices for young MLs.

About COLLTS

Cultivating Oral Language and Literacy Talents in Students (COLLTS) is a read aloud-centered resource to improve oral language skills in multilingual learners in preschool and kindergarten.

Distributed exclusively by Lee & Low Books, this resource uses research-based practices formulated by the Center for English Learners at the American Institutes for Research.

Available in English or Spanish, this six-unit resource easily pairs with your current curriculum and supports the development of foundational literacy skills, oral language proficiency, and topical and conceptual knowledge

About the Speaker

Shannon Keuter
Shannon Keuter, Senior Researcher, American Institutes for Research

Shannon Keuter, MA, is a senior researcher at the American Institutes for Research. Shannon brings 17 years of experience in research, training, and technical assistance. She specializes in young multilingual learners, primarily in language and literacy development but also in early math. Shannon holds a certificate in Spanish-English translation.

Date: Thursday,  March 27, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
Duration: 1 Hour
How to Join: Register here

Join Lee & Low Books for an important conversation celebrating stimming and neurodiversity in the classroom with children’s literature. Literacy Specialist Michelle Fuentes and author-illustrator Steve Asbell will discuss the development of his groundbreaking picture book Flap Your Hands, break down the stigma behind stimming, and elaborate on the benefits of stimming and student self-expression. Participants will come away with recommendations and resources on how to foster an inclusive classroom environment that is accommodating of all learners, as well as ready-to-implement activities to pair alongside Flap Your Hands.

About the Speakers

Photo of author-illustrator Steve Asbell smiling at the camera with his arms crossed over his chest.
Steve Asbell

Steve Asbell (he/him) was diagnosed with autism and draws a comic strip called Stimmy Kitty that shares childhood experiences through an autistic lens. As a member of SCBWI, he was won the Rising Kite Award for illustrations. He lives near Jacksonville, Florida, where he can be found drawing and gardening with his family. You can also find him online at steveasbell.com

Photo of Literacy Specialist Michelle Fuentes smiling at the camera.
Michelle Fuentes

Michelle Fuentes (she/her) is the Literacy Specialist at Lee & Low Books. Prior to Lee & Low, she taught for five years as the lead educator for English as a Second Language in Memphis and Atlanta serving grades 5-8. She brings her passion for equity, parent and family engagement, and English Language Learner best practices to Lee & Low Books. She creates student-centered educator resources and leads engaging professional development workshops.