ML Chat: Conversations with Multilingual Educators

Flashlight Learning
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  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
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ML Chat explores everything to do with Multilingual student instruction. Do you oversee students that are learning English? ML Chat is the place to learn more and continue to refine your craft. In each episode co-hosts Tim Blackburn and Justin Hewett talk with experts, researchers, and district administrators to explore how to best serve our language learners.

  1. SEP 3

    Dr. Merica Clinkenbeard: Maximizing Resources, Serving Every Learner

    How do you serve multilingual learners across a large district using current resources? In this episode of the ML Chat Podcast, Dr. Merica Clinkenbeard, Director of ELD for Springfield Public Schools, Missouri, shares how she leverages collaboration, teacher leadership, and language-rich instruction to drive systemic change. She also reflects on launching a Newcomer Academy to support students and create inclusive schools.

    51 min

  2. AUG 20

    Maggie Churchill: Structure that Supports, Flexibility that Inspires

    Join the ML Chat conversation with Maggie Churchill, veteran ESL Language Arts teacher and adjunct at William Paterson University. She shares how consistent routines and flexibility create stability for multilingual learners—especially those facing trauma, post-COVID challenges, and disrupted education. Discover how project-based lessons, teacher collaboration, and professional networks fuel classroom innovation.

    53 min

  3. AUG 6

    One District, 26 Languages: Building Literacy with Heather Benitez

    Tune in to the ML Chat Podcast for practical strategies to create literacy-rich classrooms. Heather Benitez, ESL Coordinator and veteran teacher, shares how she fosters academic discourse and builds structured literacy routines across content areas. Serving a Texas district with 26 languages, Heather champions culturally responsive teaching, ongoing support for teachers, and inclusive practices that put students first.

    52 min

  4. JUL 23

    Heather Nyseth: The Coach-Teacher Connection in ML Education

    ELD coach and teacher Heather Nyseth brings a unique dual perspective to the ML Chat Podcast. She shares how coach-teacher relationship-building, professional development with teacher choice, and reflective practices have fueled growth across her district. Heather highlights the resilience of multilingual learners and how collaboration among educators fosters more effective, equitable learning environments.

    53 min

  5. JUL 14

    When Language & Literacy Meet with Floyd County Experts

    Join our esteemed panel of educators as they reflect on their mission to integrate the science of reading into ESL instruction. Dr. Jennifer Pendergrass-Bennefield, Dr. Tabatha Tierce, Dr. David Chiesa, and Assistant Superintendent John Parker discuss Georgia’s dyslexia law and how ESL, special education, and general education teams can work together to make research-based literacy accessible to all students.

    49 min

  6. JUL 9

    Dr. Marlowe Cross & Jon Auld: Multilingual Support in Secondary Education

    In today’s MLChat, Dr. Marlowe Cross and Jon Auld from Metro Nashville Public Schools share their experiences supporting teachers and multilingual learners as EL coaches. Discover practical strategies for integrating English language development into secondary content classes for accelerated student growth. Plus, explore how modeling, feedback, reflection, and effective data analysis can elevate teaching and learning outcomes.

    1 hr

  7. JUN 4

    Co-teaching Models: Impacts on Multilingual Learners with Graham Litterst

    If your goal is to offer multilingual students an inclusive and supportive environment, you won’t want to miss this episode of the ML Chat Podcast. EL Coordinator Graham Litters discusses the value of co-teaching models, sharing strategies to encourage student interaction, language usage, and engagement. With double the support, English Learners thrive when Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA teachers partner with language teachers in the classroom.

    48 min

  8. MAY 21

    Rewriting the Future with Martha Boisselle and Kristen Leathers

    This episode of ML Chat is a love letter to multilingual learners and the teachers who fight for them. Mandi Morris sits down with Martha Boisselle and Kristen Leathers, whose work in Boston Public Schools is transforming what it means to teach English—not as a barrier, but as a bridge. It’s a story of heart, courage, and the power of educators to rewrite the future.

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

ML Chat explores everything to do with Multilingual student instruction. Do you oversee students that are learning English? ML Chat is the place to learn more and continue to refine your craft. In each episode co-hosts Tim Blackburn and Justin Hewett talk with experts, researchers, and district administrators to explore how to best serve our language learners.

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