Structural inequities emerge when systems fail to adapt to the needs of their evolving communities. While structured literacy is effective for all, the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth identified two key adjustments—oral language proficiency and cross-language transfers—necessary to accelerate learning among English learners. Carrying out these adjustments requires specialized knowledge, and this session intends to make this work manageable and digestible for educators and leaders alike. Attendees will learn practical strategies for immediate implementation to advance second language and literacy acquisition among ELs.
Nicole Kingsland, M.S. Ed. is the Manager of Content Design and Development at AIM Institute for Learning and Research. In this role, Nicole consults with researchers and literacy experts across the nation to synthesize and disseminate practical information and evidence-based strategies through presentations and online course content. Nicole was previously an Elementary and Special Education teacher, where she wrote curriculum and mentored colleagues and student teachers. She received a Master’s of Science in Special Education and a CERI Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher certificate.
An architect of school improvement systems, Megan Gierka, Ed.D. is a senior content developer and facilitator at AIM Institute for Learning and Research. In this role, Megan writes course content, develops training, and synthesizes the latest research findings into classroom practice and applicable tools. Prior to this role, she served a decade in the public school system as a teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach. Megan holds a BS.Ed. in Elementary Education, M.Ed. in Reading Education, and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.