September at Edufaith: Success in Every Language, Inclusive Learning, and Meaningful Connections

September’s Edufaith Essentials Podcast

​

Success in Every Language: Supporting English Learners

September episode of Edufaith Essentials focuses on English learners—also called English language learners, ESOL students, or multilingual learners—and the school practices that support their success.

At the heart of this conversation is an essential reminder: English proficiency is not a measure of intelligence.

This month’s Essential Knowledge segment explores the history of English learner education, student and family rights, research-based instructional strategies, and insights from Dr. Nakia Simmons Cotton’s dissertation on teacher perceptions of the ESOL sheltered delivery model.

We examine what it takes to move from program placement to meaningful participation. Students need opportunities to engage with challenging content, develop language, build relationships, and demonstrate what they know. Teachers need preparation, collaboration, and practical tools. Families need communication they can understand and opportunities to help shape their children’s learning experiences.

Whether you are a parent, classroom teacher, school leader, or advocate, this episode invites you to consider how your actions can help students learn English, belong, achieve, and lead.

​

Listen through the Edufaith Essentials Podcast link or visit the Edufaith Educational Services website. Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with someone committed to supporting diverse learners.

September Spotlight: A Few Meaningful Dates

​

September offers many opportunities to celebrate, educate, and advocate. Here are a few we are highlighting:

• September 7 — Labor Day, World Duchenne Awareness Day, and Dr. Nakia’s Birthday: A meaningful day for appreciation, awareness, and celebration.

• September 8 — International Literacy Day: An opportunity to promote accessible literacy experiences and celebrate learning across languages.

• September 15–October 15 — National Hispanic Heritage Month: A time to recognize Hispanic and Latino histories, cultures, contributions, and community voices.

• September 23 — International Day of Sign Languages: A reminder to value linguistic diversity and communication access.

We also recognize Deaf Awareness Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and National Suicide Prevention Month, among September’s important observances.

Let these recognitions lead to action: learn about someone’s experience, review an accessibility barrier, strengthen a partnership, or connect a family with support.

September Tips: Helping Every Learner Participate

For Parents and Families

​

Now that the school year is underway, check in with your child about more than assignments and grades. Ask when they feel confident, where they need help, and which adults they feel comfortable approaching. Listen for patterns that may help you and the school understand their experience.

For multilingual families, continue sharing stories, reading, and having conversations in the language or languages you know best. Your family’s language and culture are valuable parts of your child’s identity. Share your communication preferences with the school and ask how to access interpretation or translated information when needed.

​

If your child receives individualized support, ask how those supports are working in daily instruction. Bring specific questions and examples to conversations with teachers. Share what helps your child at home, and work together to identify a manageable next step.

Strong partnerships grow when families feel heard and leave conversations understanding what happens next.

​

For Educators

​

Use September to look closely at who is participating and who may need another way to access the learning.

Pair clear explanations with visuals, model a response, introduce important vocabulary in context, and offer sentence starters when helpful. Give students time to rehearse ideas with a partner before sharing with the whole class. Maintain meaningful learning goals while adjusting the support students receive.

Invite learners to draw on their home languages, experiences, and prior knowledge. Provide different ways to demonstrate understanding, such as speaking, writing, drawing, using visuals, or creating a model, when appropriate to the learning goal.

For multilingual students with disabilities, collaborate with English learner and special education colleagues to consider language development and disability-related needs together. Start with the student’s strengths and examine which supports make participation possible.

​

For School Leaders

​

September is an opportunity to examine whether the systems established at the beginning of the year are working as intended.

Talk with students, families, and staff. Look for patterns in attendance, participation, access to instruction, and early learning evidence. Ask whose needs may be overlooked and what information is needed before deciding on a response.

Review how families access school communications, meetings, and events. Consider language access, accessible formats, scheduling, and whether families know whom to contact when they have questions.

Create time for classroom teachers, English learner specialists, special educators, and support staff to plan together. Follow through on the barriers they identify, and check whether changes improve students’ experiences.

Inclusive leadership becomes visible through the support people receive and the opportunities students can access.

​

Explore the Edufaith Blog

​

Our blog feature, “Empowering Diverse Learners,” shares practical strategies for supporting multilingual students and learners with disabilities through scaffolded language access, dual-language visuals, and family-centered advocacy.

Use it as a starting point for a family conversation, team discussion, or professional learning activity. Choose one strategy, put it into practice, and reflect on what changes for learners.

Read the full post: https://wix.to/nZ6fErj

Edufaith Reminder: Keep the Connection Going

​

The first weeks of school provide valuable information. Use what you are learning to revisit supports, clarify communication, and respond to concerns early.

Edufaith Educational Services supports families, schools, districts, universities, and community organizations through:

• Professional development on inclusive practices and family engagement

• IEP and Section 504 training

• MTSS and intervention planning

• Inclusive leadership development

• Special education compliance support

• Family advocacy training and meeting facilitation

• Policy, procedure, and school systems reviews

• Strategic planning and leadership consultation

Whether you are strengthening classroom practices, supporting a family, developing staff, or improving schoolwide systems, Edufaith brings practical tools, extensive experience, and a heart for every learner to each partnership.

Contact Edufaith to schedule a consultation, professional development session, or meeting facilitation support.

This September, let’s make room for every language, recognize every learner’s strengths, and build opportunities for success—together.