Linguistically Responsive Leaders: Responding to Multilingual Students and Their Families

• In Event: Leading in Diverse Cultures

Abstract

The numbers of multilingual students in U.S. schools continues to grow, however, education leaders frequently exit preparation programs without content focused on the needs of multilingual students (Baecher et al., 2013; Buysse et al., 2005). This qualitative case study explores the way a series of online learning units focused on engaging multilingual students and their families enhanced education leadership preparation at a small regional institution in the Pacific Northwest. Findings include the need for (a) stronger administrator preparation and ongoing professional learning focused on multilingual learners and (b) flexible learning experiences that encourage pre- and in-service education leaders opportunities to apply knowledge in graduate coursework and professional learning settings.

Authors

• Aprille J Phillips, University of Nebraska - Kearney

• Joan Barnatt, Elon University

• Kara Mitchell Viesca, University of Nebraska - Lincoln