Birmingham, ALA – January 9, 2020:  The Alabama Leaders Advocating for English Learners, ALA-EL, held its inaugural conference today at Valleydale Church in Birmingham, Ala. The conference addressed research, best practices, and strategies for those involved in educating English language learners.

Nearly 240 educators throughout Alabama attended the ALA-EL Winter Conference. Topics addressed during the event were empathy in instruction, the Alabama Literacy Act, biliteracy, tools for teaching and engaging English learners, Essentials of ESL, deep data dives for promoting equity for English learners, making an impact inside and outside the classroom, and how to lead an English learner instructional audit. Attendees heard from experts in the field including 2019-2020 Alabama Teacher of the Year Ana Carol Behel. View more information here.

“I believe the overwhelming response to the inaugural conference shows a need for ELL support in our state.  We are happy to be able to provide support, along with the ALSDE to make sure educators across the state have knowledge and resources to better meet the needs of ELLs.  I think the 240 participants and a waiting list to attend should be a clear indicator that everyone working with ELL students needs support.  I was thrilled with the turnout and the quality of the conference.  I feel that our line-up of presenters provided attendees with information they needed.  I am looking forward to an even larger conference next year,” said Heath Grimes, Superintendent of Russellville City Schools and President of ALA-EL.

“CLAS is thrilled to partner with ALA-EL as they work to increase the knowledge and resources for Alabama Leaders working with English Learners,” CLAS Executive Director Vic Wilson, Ed.D.

About CLAS: CLAS, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools was founded in 1969 by a small group of school leaders to provide targeted professional learning and support for Alabama’s public school administrators.  CLAS now serves eleven affiliates representing each type of public school/school system leader.  CLAS provides the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support.  CLAS is the premier professional learning provider for administrators in public schools in the state of Alabama.

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