ASSETS

Episode Description In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Jobi Lawrence sits down with Dr. Diane August, nationally recognized researcher and expert in multilingual learner education, to discuss the critical role of academic language development in supporting student success. Drawing on decades of research and her work as a contributor to the 2014 Institute of Education Sciences Practice Guide, Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School, Dr. August explores why academic language is essential for multilingual learners to access grade-level content and achieve at high levels. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating language development into content instruction, examines key recommendations from the Practice Guide, and offers practical insights for educators seeking to strengthen instruction across disciplines. Whether you are a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or policymaker, this episode provides valuable guidance on how research-based practices can help multilingual learners develop the language and literacy skills needed to thrive academically. Dr. August's expertise and perspective serve as a powerful reminder that language development is not separate from learning, it is fundamental to it. Link to Word Analyzer (You will need to create an account): https://vocabularytool.airprojects.org/ Link to  article: https://www.aft.org/ae/winter2025-2026/august

In this episode of the Project ASSETS Podcast, Project Coordinator Lauren Wood reflects on the often unseen and underrecognized work of educators who support multilingual learners. Drawing from her firsthand experience working closely with EL/ML educators, Lauren shares insights into the dedication, sacrifice, and emotional labor that go into serving this student population.  This episode highlights the critical role these educators play in shaping student success, often going above and beyond without recognition. Lauren offers a thoughtful perspective on the challenges they face, the impact they make, and why their work deserves greater visibility and appreciation.  Whether you are an educator, school leader, or advocate, this conversation serves as both a reflection and a reminder of the extraordinary commitment behind supporting multilingual learners every day. 

In this episode of the Project ASSETS Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, a leading expert in multilingual education and co-teaching for English learners. Dr. Honigsfeld shares her insights on effective strategies to support multilingual learners, the importance of collaboration among educators, and how schools can create inclusive, language-rich learning environments.  Listeners will gain practical takeaways for implementing high-impact instructional practices, strengthening partnerships between general and specialized educators, and fostering success for all students.  Whether you are a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and actionable ideas to support multilingual learners in meaningful ways. 

In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Jobi Lawrence is joined by Anya Hurwitz and Karen Salinas Ascencio for a thoughtful conversation centered on language development, literacy growth, and asset-based instruction for multilingual learners.  Together, they explore how language acquisition unfolds across proficiency levels and why a strengths-based approach is essential for supporting students from emerging to bridging stages. The discussion highlights the deep connections between identity, culture, and academic content, while offering practical, research-informed strategies educators can implement immediately.  This episode provides meaningful insight for educators committed to empowering multilingual learners and cultivating inclusive, responsive classrooms. 

In this episode, host Jobi Lawrence welcomes Rosmery Milczewski, Assistant Principal at Flushing International High School in New York City and a member of the International Network for Public Schools. Rosmery shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a teenager from Colombia to becoming a leader in multilingual and immigrant-centered education.  Together, Jobi and Rosmery explore identity, language, and the power of lived experience in shaping compassionate leadership. This conversation centers on empathy, resilience, and what it truly means to create educational spaces where students—and educators—feel seen, valued, and supported. 

n this episode, host Dr. Jobi Lawrence is joined by Chandler Miranda, an educator and advocate with extensive experience supporting newcomer students and families, to explore what it means to create sanctuary in schools. The conversation centers on the concept of radical welcome and the mindset shifts educators and school communities can adopt to move beyond surface-level inclusion toward intentional, sustainable support. Chandler Miranda shares insights on fostering belonging, trust, and safety for students navigating new languages, cultures, and educational systems, emphasizing the role of empathy, culturally responsive practices, and school-wide commitment. The conversation reinforces that creating sanctuary is an ongoing, intentional practice rooted in equity, care, and belonging. 

In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, host Dr. Jobi Lawrence sits down with Sam Finn, Director of Newcomer Policy and Practice at Californians Together and a leader with the California Newcomer Network (CANN). Sam shares insights from his work supporting educators who serve immigrant and newcomer students, discussing how policy, research, and practice intersect to create more equitable learning environments.  Together, they explore what defines a "newcomer" student, the challenges these students face entering U.S. schools, and the policies that most impact their educational experience. Sam also highlights how the California Newcomer Network empowers teachers with tools, strategies, and advocacy to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and successful. 

In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, host Dr. Jobi Lawrence welcomes Sam Singer, founder of the Volunteer State Seal of Biliteracy (VSSB) and veteran educator. Sam shares her journey from teaching in New York City and Nashville to creating Tennessee's first Seal of Biliteracy program in 2015. She discusses the importance of biliteracy, how the Seal supports multilingual learners, and what it takes to implement this recognition at the state and district level successfully.

In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Jobi Lawrence sits down with Lara Evangelista, Executive Director at Internationals Network for Public Schools. Lara is a passionate advocate for multilingual learners and newcomer education, with years of experience as a principal and district leader in New York City. They discuss what it takes to create welcoming, culturally responsive school environments that help newcomer students thrive academically and socially. Lara also shares practical strategies for engaging families, lessons learned from implementing newcomer programs, and her personal journey as an educator dedicated to equity and inclusion.   

In this episode of The ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Jobi Lawrence welcomes back Montserrat Garibay, former Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director of the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) under the Biden-Harris administration.  Together, they explore the State Seal of Biliteracy and its impact in recognizing multilingual proficiency, as well as the role of programs like BESO in supporting and uplifting multilingual learners. From her beginnings as an undocumented immigrant to her leadership in education and labor, Montserrat's story is one of resilience, advocacy, and transformation.  This conversation highlights the importance of linguistic equity, educational policy, and celebrating diverse voices in our schools. 

In this episode of the ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Jobi Lawrence welcomes Arthur Chou, social entrepreneur, passionate advocate, and widely regarded as the "father" of the State Seal of Biliteracy. Arthur shares his journey, from launching national multilingual advocacy efforts to helping over 40 states establish their own seals. Learn how his work with Academic Learning Company, DualLanguageSchools.org, and Velázquez Press has shaped educational equity and empowered multilingual students and communities across the U.S. 

How do policy and practice work together to support English and multilingual learners in America's classrooms? In this episode, host Dr. Jobi Lawrence is joined by Dr. Megan Hopkins, professor at UC San Diego, and Dr. Hayley Weddle, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations, and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh, to discuss the evolving landscape of educational policy. Together, they unpack how state leaders engage with the CCSSO English Learner Collaborative, the influence of federal shifts, and how research is shaping more inclusive systems. Tune in to hear how these experts are driving impact from the top down—and the ground up. 

In this episode, we sit with Dr. Julie Sugarman, Associate Director for K-12 Education Research at the Migration Policy Institute's National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy. Dr. Sugarman helps stakeholders make sense of the complex research and policy issues impacting English and multilingual learners. Together, we explore the rapidly changing policy landscape, the challenges facing schools and educators, and what brought Dr. Sugarman to the policy arena. 

Concluding our four-part series on student voice- A journey that's taken us through the transformative stories of young leaders who helped shape the Iowa Student Learning Institute and amplify the voices of multilingual learners. To close out the series, we welcome Dr. Byron Darnall, the co-lead of the Student Voice Initiative. Dr. Darnall has over two decades of experience in education. Follow along as we share the impact of the student leadership initiative and Dr. Darnall's perspective on the legacy of this work. 

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes you to the third of an exceptional four-part series where we hear from the voices of our students. Dr. Lawrence sits down with former student Ian Coon, who served on the Iowa Student Learning Institute's ELL Leadership Team at the Iowa Department of Education. Follow along as Ian shares his unique perspective from unawareness and privilege to partnership and advocacy.  In this episode, Ian takes us on his journey in social justice and advocating for underserved populations, the impact of his work on the student leadership team, and how his journey shaped his personal and professional story.  

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes you to the second of an exceptional four-part series where we hear from the voices of our students. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence sits down with former student Monica Figueroa, who served on the Iowa Student Learning Institute's ELL Leadership Team at the Iowa Department of Education. As a former English learner, she has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of mastering a new language while excelling academically. In this episode, Monica joins us to reflect on her life journey, the impact of her work on the student leadership team, and how it shaped her personal and professional story.

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes you to the first of an exceptional four-part series where we hear from the voices of our students. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence sits down with former students who served on the Iowa Student Learning Institute's ELL Leadership Team at the Iowa Department of Education. Together, they share their mission to revolutionize Iowa's approach to education through the power of student voice.

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes Ernesto Mejia, a Dean of Students who epitomizes the American dream.  Follow along as Ernesto shares what it was like growing up with Mexican immigrant parents, his experience working with ELs in higher education, and how the American dream can look different for everyone. Learn more about how to help our students identify their passion and chase their American Dream.  

You don't want to miss this episode of ASSETS! This month, Dr. Lawrence welcomes a dear friend, retired Lieutenant Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, a 20-year U.S. Army Veteran. Follow along as Lt. Col. Kickbusch shares her remarkable story of overcoming the challenges of poverty and being a daughter of immigrants, from discrimination and illiteracy to becoming rich in culture, tradition, values, and faith. 

This time on ASSETS the podcast, we turn the spotlight inward with a very special "Meet the Host" episode. Our host and creator, Dr. Jobi Lawrence, shares the personal journey that led her to pursue a career in education, specifically with bilingual/multilingual learners. From early inspirations and challenges to the pivotal moments that shaped her career, this episode will give a deeper understanding of who Dr. Lawrence is and why she is so passionate about the topics discussed on ASSETS the podcast. From living below the poverty line during the farm crisis of the 1980s to being a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Lawrence relates her experiences to the lives of many of our multilingual learners.

Back by popular demand, we welcome Dr. Nooshan Ashtari for a very special Part 2  episode on the ASSETS Podcast. Join us as we discuss questions and topics provided by our listeners and take a deeper dive into technology and language education research studies.   Dr. Ashtari is involved in virtual reality (VR) in teacher training, reading in Second Language Acquisition, accents and multilingualism, linguistic racism, and is a heritage language development researcher.  English Learner (EL) Avatars for Pre-Service Teachers VR Avatars and Language Acquisition Using a Mixed-Reality Classroom Environment Including English Learners: The Perceptions of Teacher Candidates Examining the Impact of a Simulation Classroom Experience on Teacher Candidates' Sense of Efficacy in Communicating with English Learners Mixed Reality Environments in Teaching and Learning English Book Chapter Virtual Reality and Language Education Virtual Environments: The Past, Present, and Future Technology, Toucan, and Language Education Toucan: A New Tool in Our Teaching Toolbox Computer Science Innovations and Language Acquisition Languages, Tech Design, and the 21st Century: Meeting People Where They Are Optimal Input The Optimal Input Hypothesis: Not All Comprehensible Input is of Equal Value Dr. Noam Chomsky, Dr. Stephen Krashen, Dr. Nooshan Ashtari on Issues in Modern Linguistics  

This month, Dr. Lawrence welcomes Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan to discuss universal screening and literacy best practices for English and ​multilingual ​learners. Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan is a bilingual speech and language pathologist, certified dyslexia specialist, certified academic language specialist, qualified instructor, and ​President of the Valley Speech Language and Learning Center in Brownsville, Texas. ​She​ has spent the last 24 years working on national research projects sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, and the Office of Special Education Programs.   Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan discuss universal screening​ measures​ and ​their​ impact on literacy achievement for English and multilingual learners and Dr. Hagen's path to working with multilingual learners.    

This month on the ASSETS Podcast, Dr. Lawrence welcomes Mr. Steve Gill to discuss the identification of English learners with disabilities/dually identified English learners. Listen in as Mr. Gill shares his journey from being a school psychologist in a district with a high EL population to creating the ELL Critical Data Process, used by over 21,000 educators across 2,000 districts in multiple states and at least 12 countries worldwide. Dr. Lawrence and Mr. Gill also discuss technology and how it is being used to enhance language education. You don't want to miss this conversation! 

This month on ASSETS, we welcome a special guest from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Monique Dixon.   Ms. Dixon was appointed in February 2021 by the Biden-Harris Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy for the Office for Civil Rights. In this role, she manages the program's legal group, which develops policy guidance, fact sheets, regulations, and technical assistance materials to ensure pre-K through 12 schools and colleges comply with the legal obligations that OCR enforces.   Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Ms. Dixon dive into the opportunities and challenges related to meeting the legal obligations of supporting our multilingual learners and their families.  Resources mentioned during the podcast: Equal Education Opportunities for English Learners; Civil Rights Data | U.S. Department of Education; and File a Complaint: Foreign Language Discrimination Forms | U.S. Department of Education

This month, Dr. Lawrence welcomes the Deputy Secretary and Director for the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) at the U.S. Department of Education, Montserrat Garibay. Follow along as Ms. Garibay shares her journey from being an undocumented immigrant from Mexico City to becoming a U.S. citizen, National Board-Certified teacher, with a Master of Education from the University of Texas-Austin. She has proudly served as a bilingual pre-kindergarten teacher. Dr. Lawrence and Ms. Garibay dive into some key opportunities, as well as, critical challenges that English/multilingual learners face in the U.S. education system and how OELA and the U.S. Department of Education are working together to address those challenges and leverage opportunities for collaboration

In January, the ASSETS Podcast released its first episode of a TWO-PART series to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Lau v. Nichols, a landmark legal case affecting English learners and educators. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Mr. Edward Steinman, the attorney who successfully argued the Lau v. Nichols case, continue to reflect on the ruling that helped pave the way for the passing of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 in Congress, which required that school districts take action to remove barriers to the equal participation of all students, increased funding to the Bilingual Education Act, and effectively made additional English language development instruction mandatory in public schools across the U.S.

The ASSETS Podcast is releasing its first-ever TWO-PART series in January and February to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Lau v. Nichols, a landmark legal case affecting English learners and educators. On January 21, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that, under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the San Francisco Unified School District must provide non-English-speaking students with English language instruction to ensure they receive an equal education. This ruling helped pave the way for the passing of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 in Congress, which required that school districts take action to remove barriers to the equal participation of all students, increased funding to the Bilingual Education Act, and effectively made additional English language development instruction mandatory in public schools across the U.S. To commemorate and reflect on this anniversary, Dr. Lawrence sat down to interview Mr. Edward Steinman, the attorney who successfully argued the Lau v. Nichols case. Mr. Steinman remains active as a civil rights attorney and also serves as a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law. He has argued numerous times before the U.S. Supreme Court.  

You do not want to miss this! The ASSETS Podcast is releasing its first-ever TWO-PART series in January and February to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Lau v. Nichols, a landmark legal case affecting English learners and educators. On January 21, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that, under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the San Francisco Unified School District must provide non-English-speaking students with English language instruction to ensure they receive an equal education. This ruling helped pave the way for the passing of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 in Congress, which required that school districts take action to remove barriers to the equal participation of all students, increased funding to the Bilingual Education Act, and effectively made additional English language development instruction mandatory in public schools across the U.S. To commemorate and reflect on this anniversary, Dr. Lawrence sat down to interview Mr. Edward Steinman, the attorney who successfully argued the Lau v. Nichols case. Mr. Steinman remains active as a civil rights attorney and also serves as a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law. He has argued numerous times before the U.S. Supreme Court.

This month on ASSETS, we welcome Dr. Lhisa Almashy, a 27-year ESOL veteran educator. Dr. Almashy shares her experience transitioning back into the classroom after several years of working in higher education, her non-traditional path to teaching, and the life-changing lessons she learned through homestays in Vietnam. Follow along as Dr. Almashy shares an experience of complete vulnerability in Vietnam and how it helped her relate to her multilingual students and their families. Also, stay tuned for the 50th anniversary of the Lau v Nichols episode, where Dr. Lawrence sits down with a historically important guest.

This month, Dr. Lawrence welcomes the Executive Producer, Host, and Creator of Afro-Latino Travels, Kim Haas. Listen as Kim shares her experiences traveling throughout Latin America, her involvement in Afro-Latino issues, and how her work has translated into the media and communications world. Kim explains the importance of immersive cultural experiences and how they change our perceptions of different cultures. Follow along as Kim shares her unique experiences, including meeting a bellhop in Rio and the unforgettable lesson he taught her.

This month, Dr. Lawrence welcomes Dr. Christy Lao, an Associate Professor of Education at San Francisco State University who has been actively involved in Chinese bilingual education for the past 20 years. Dr. Lao has provided professional development in Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) to Chinese bilingual teachers in the U.S. and many parts of the world, focusing on Chinese literacy development. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Lao discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by bilingual teachers.

This month on ASSETS, we welcome the "Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.," Dr. Danny Brassell. Dr. Brassell has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and authored 16 books, including his latest, Leadership Begins with Motivation. He is the co-founder of www.theREADINGhabit.com, the world's top reading engagement program. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Brassell discuss tried and true methods for turning challenges into opportunities.

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes a special guest, Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes. Ms. Reyes is an expert in biliteracy, focusing on academic writing and teaching Spanish-to-English cross-linguistic transfer. She is a national biliteracy consultant and author for Benchmark Education. Follow along as Ms. Reyes and Dr. Lawrence discuss newcomer students' social and academic needs and what it means to provide students with asset-based instruction.

This month we welcome Dr. Claude Goldenberg, a Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education, emeritus, at Stanford University. Goldenberg received his A.B. in history from Princeton University and M. A. and Ph.D. from UCLA's Graduate School of Education. A native of Argentina, his research areas centered on promoting academic achievement among language minority students, particularly those from Spanish-speaking backgrounds, and he is the author and co-author of several award-winning books, including the co-editor of Language and Literacy Development in Bilingual Settings (Guilford). Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Goldenberg dive into the hot topic of The Science of Reading and highlight the bright spots for Multilingual Learners.

In this episode of ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes Virtual Reality (VR) in Teacher training, reading in SLA, accents, and linguistic racism, as well as heritage language development researcher Nooshan Ashtari. Follow along as they discuss technology and language, Ashtari's experiences conducting research in various countries worldwide, and the time she was furiously yelled at by her Tae Kwon Do coach for letting her opponent win a match.

This week on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence welcomes multiple degree holder, educational specialist, publisher, former CNN panelists, motivational speaker, and principal of the year Dr. Washington Collado. Follow along as Dr. Collado shares his own experience as an English learner, the cultural disconnect when engaging with families, and how to show families the opportunities and potential their children have as multilingual learners.

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence sits down with Dr. Margarita Calderón, a Professor Emerita/Senior Research Scientist at Johns Hopkins University, who has over 100 publications on language and literacy. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Calderón discuss specific features of reading and writing for MLs with limited or interrupted formal education and how she turned two of New York City's lowest-performing schools into exemplary schools in just two years.

This month on ASSETS, Dr. Lawrence discusses sociocultural competence with Lisa Tabaku. Lisa is the Director of Dual Language and Multilingual Education at the Center for Applied Linguistics. Previously, she served as the Director of Civil Rights and Multicultural Affairs, Executive Director of the Office of Bilingual Education, Assistant Principal of a Spanish-English dual language school, National Professional Development grants coordinator, and bilingual and ESL teacher. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Lisa address the critical third pillar in Dual Language Education.

Interested in learning about five practices for supporting students living with adversity? Listen in as Dr. Lawrence sits with an expert consultant, Dr. Debbie Zacarian, who has authored over 100 publications and holds advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology and Educational Policy and Research. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Zacarian discuss the topic of teaching to empower and share a call to action to foster student agency, self-confidence, and collaboration.

How does understanding culture influence empathy? This month, Dr. Lawrence sits with Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa, also known as The Lab Coat Teacher and affectionately "Miss Dorito" by EL students worldwide, to discuss 25 years of EL/Bilingual classroom experiences and doctoral research on Emotional Intelligence. Follow along as Dr. Lawrence and Dorina share their first experiences with cultural diversity as children and how it led them to a career advocating for ELs.

This month, Dr. Lawrence sits with Professor Emerita of Education in the Division of Equity, Bilingualism and Biliteracy at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Dr. Kathy Escamilla. Follow along as Dr. Escamilla shares her experience as a member of one of the first-ever bilingual education programs and discusses the Science of Reading and how it impacts multilingual learners. Dr. Escamilla shares her trials and triumphs from decades of experience researching issues related to the development of bilingualism and biliteracy for Spanish-speaking emerging bilingual learners and shares her predictions for the future of multilingual learners.

This month, our host Dr. Jobi Lawrence sits with Mr. Alex Kajitani, also known as "The Rappin' Mathematician," California Teacher of the year and co-author of a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. Listen in to hear Dr. Lawrence and Mr. Kajitani rap their way to better understanding how math can be made more comprehensible and how student motivation can be increased with the approach of the "Rappin Mathematician". You won't want to miss this episode and the chance to learn how to go beyond test scores and data, and dive into real-life stories and teachers' actual impact on multilingual learners.

Do frequent fiction readers have more empathy for others? Tune in to find out! In this episode, we sit with educational researcher, linguist, and activist, Dr. Stephen Krashen, to discuss self-selected pleasure reading and how it benefits first and second language development. Follow along as Dr. Krashen shares the advantages of recreational reading, the importance of bilingual education, and the time he had lunch with American comic book writer and the creator of Spider-Man, Stan Lee.

ASSETS is an original podcast series hosted by Dr. Jobi Lawrence. Follow along as she takes a deep dive into the educational realities of multilingual learners across the country. Dr. Lawrence focuses on the opportunities and inherent challenges of meeting the needs of our nation's multilingual learners to ensure that they reach English proficiency. Each month, Dr. Lawrence welcomes a new guest with unique insights into serving our nation's multilingual learners and their families. ASSETS is funded in part by the United States Department of Education under a National Professional Development Program grant. All episodes are available at no cost on Spotify and Apple podcasts. Disclaimer: The thoughts and ideas expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entity associated with this podcast.