2025 MABE Dual Language Bilingual Education Conference

Seasoned educators present the essential components of Truman middle-school’s dual language program and explore its 25+ years of ups and downs in preparing dual language students for success in high school and beyond. Participants will leave this session with practical solutions to program challenges, common when working with multiple elementary feeder programs who don’t all have a quality dual language program but serve the same historically underserved community. Getting it right takes time, flexibility, persistence, as well as advocacy!

DLBE programs thrive best when a range of stakeholders’ practices are firmly grounded in systems of collaborative, shared leadership. In this way the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs can better rest on the four pillars of DLBE. Anchored to the Lachance and Honigsfeld framework for Collaboration in DLBE (2023), this workshop is ideal for pairs or small teams of teacher leaders and/or their administrators to attend together. We will explore tools for collaborative leadership to then reflect on current and/or planned programming. Participants from districts/schools with DLBE programs both as stand-alone or strand configurations will interact within the workshop to consider effective approaches for developing and fostering collaborative partnerships norms.


Workshop participants use tools aligned with GP Strand 1, Effective Leadership. These tools emphasize cohesion, collegiality, and collaborative planning. Outcomes focus on program leadership, advocacy, and model development centered on collaboration; Outcomes are aligned to EMMA Standards 5-6.

Knowledgeable leaders are essential to the success of a Dual Language Program. What do building leaders need to know to effectively lead and advocate for a Dual Language program? Join a panel of school leaders from Windham Public Schools as they discuss strategies for building and sustaining effective dual language programs. Using the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education, panelists will share insights and challenges from both experienced and new leaders in one-way, two-way, and secondary programs. Participants can expect to leave with a variety of perspectives and strategies to support their own learning and growth as Dual Language leaders.