2025 MABE Dual Language Bilingual Education Conference

The increasing presence of Multilingual Learners in U.S. public schools highlights the need for multilingual educators to ensure academic success and promote multiliteracy. Currently, there is a shortage of qualified educators, with many multilingual individuals working as paraeducators who could transition into teaching roles. This presentation examines the historical exclusionary practices in U.S. education that contribute to teacher shortages, discusses the advantages of having congruent educators for diverse students, showcases successful paraeducator-to-teacher preparation programs, and identifies barriers multilingual candidates face in entering the profession, along with strategies to overcome these challenges.