Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity Newsletter: Highlighting Title III Mini-Grants for English Learners

In this issue of the Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter, we highlight how Heartland AEA provides Title III mini-grants to school districts in order to support district English Language Development programs in their work with English Learners.

Supporting Newcomer Families: A Resource Guide for Translation and Interpretation Services

As the number of Newcomer students in Iowa schools grows, there is a rising demand for interpreters and translators to facilitate communication with their families. This academic year has created numerous inquiries regarding the school's obligations to interpret and translate messages between home and school. In our Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter, our goal is to provide resources that assist educators and administrators in recognizing both the legal requirements and essential steps needed to ensure accessible communication for families with a home language other than English.

Navigating ESL and Diversity Support: A Wealth of Resources in the Heartland AEA Newsletter

The Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter provides a list of resources to support your work with English Learners and their families. You will find resources at the federal, state and Heartland AEA levels included, as well as a video from West Des Moines Public Schools that shares their approach to interpretation and translation needs in their district. Don't hesitate to contact your Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity consultant if you would like to explore opportunities to invest in professional learning with your educators now and in the future!

ESL/Diversity Newsletter: Celebrating Student Achievements

The Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter highlights experiences of ESL Specialists in districts we serve who attended the annual TESOL Convention this past March. Please read about these awesome folks! Contact your Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity consultant if you would like to explore opportunities to invest in professional learning with your educators now and in the future!

Take a Read: EL/Diversity Newsletter

At this time of year, many of us may begin to look forward to holidays and celebrations with family and friends. In the December/January newsletter, we consider the celebrations that our newly arrived students and families may also celebrate at this time of year. You may access the newsletter through this link.

Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity Newsletter is Now Available

Welcome to October! Although we are several weeks into the new school year, many school districts are just now welcoming new immigrant and refugee students. We know that EL students often arrive steadily throughout the school year and come from countries that present new language and culture learning opportunities. This newsletter focuses on resources to support some of our newest immigrant families from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Please access the new newsletter at this at this link.

Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity Newsletter - April/May 2022

The Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter is now available. Many educators have commented that this has been the most challenging year in education EVER. As we wrap up this school year and prepare for the summer break, we wanted to provide resources that encourage you to Choose Your Summer Adventure!

In this ELL SMORE you will find resources to support self-care for busy educators. If you are looking for free webinars or other resources that explore ESL Education topics, those resources are there for you as well. We wish you a restful and refreshing summer break that nurtures your educator soul in a way that is best for you!