Illinois Resource Center
@ilresourcectr.bsky.social
We provide professional development and support services for teachers and administrators who serve linguistically and culturally diverse students. #EduSky
Multilingual students often serve as interpreters for their parents & caregivers. Here's some simple ways schools can help support & empower children who take on this role:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
Simple Ways Schools Can Support Students Who Translate at Home
Many multilingual children serve as “little interpreters” for their families, balancing translation duties with schoolwork. Schools can ease this burden by offering support, validation, and inclusion.
www.psychologytoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Multilingual students often serve as interpreters for their parents & caregivers. Here's some simple ways schools can help support & empower children who take on this role:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
No matter what you're interested in or seeking support with, from AI to MTSS, assessment to family engagement, you can find ideas, resources and sessions from among the 120 breakouts at Multilingual IL next month! Register today!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
No matter what you're interested in or seeking support with, from AI to MTSS, assessment to family engagement, you can find ideas, resources and sessions from among the 120 breakouts at Multilingual IL next month! Register today!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
IDEACon, sponsored by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, is one of our favorite education conferences to attend. Join the IDEA team and a host of dynamic presenters in Schaumburg this February!
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
November 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
IDEACon, sponsored by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, is one of our favorite education conferences to attend. Join the IDEA team and a host of dynamic presenters in Schaumburg this February!
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
IRC Specialist Olivia Mulcahy created an incredible guide to teaching Native stories & histories, not just in November, including some amazing bilingual books. Check it out! #ToolkitTuesday https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x_X6RNxhkoMvTlZn56_rFWK5nazfv84tOrW7OiAiDhc/edit
Native Histories: Maximizing this Mandate for Multilingual Learners (Multilingual IL Dec 2024)
Native Histories: Maximizing This Mandate for Multilingual Learners Olivia Mulcahy, Illinois Resource Center Multilingual Illinois - December, 2024
docs.google.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
IRC Specialist Olivia Mulcahy created an incredible guide to teaching Native stories & histories, not just in November, including some amazing bilingual books. Check it out! #ToolkitTuesday https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x_X6RNxhkoMvTlZn56_rFWK5nazfv84tOrW7OiAiDhc/edit
Just a month to go until our 2025 Multilingual IL Statewide Conference! Don't miss three days of more than 120 speakers and infinite opportunities to learn, connect & support your multilingual students!
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Just a month to go until our 2025 Multilingual IL Statewide Conference! Don't miss three days of more than 120 speakers and infinite opportunities to learn, connect & support your multilingual students!
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
A little #MondayMotivation from IRC Specialist Carly Spina with this featured post on energy & engagement from the ELLevation blog: https://ellevationeducation.com/blog/high-energy-high-engagement-high-impact-instruction
High energy, high engagement, high impact instruction | Ellevation
Watch our product overview to learn how Ellevation can streamline workflows and improve support for ELs in your district Watch video
ellevationeducation.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
A little #MondayMotivation from IRC Specialist Carly Spina with this featured post on energy & engagement from the ELLevation blog: https://ellevationeducation.com/blog/high-energy-high-engagement-high-impact-instruction
Join Chicago CIRR for a Know Your Rights Training for Parents and Schools on Thursday, November 13th at 6pm! This virtual event is for CPS parents and schools to learn about recent immigration updates, how to create an Emergency Family Plan, & more.
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
November 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Join Chicago CIRR for a Know Your Rights Training for Parents and Schools on Thursday, November 13th at 6pm! This virtual event is for CPS parents and schools to learn about recent immigration updates, how to create an Emergency Family Plan, & more.
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
Whether you're welcoming SLIFE for the first time or have years of experience with this student population, you will gain new insights, resources and practices to support SLIFE in next week's webinar with Carly Spina! RSVP on the IRC website.
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Whether you're welcoming SLIFE for the first time or have years of experience with this student population, you will gain new insights, resources and practices to support SLIFE in next week's webinar with Carly Spina! RSVP on the IRC website.
In honor of both #FavoriteBookFridays and Native American Heritage Month, a fantastic list of picture books and graphic novels w/Indigenous protagonists:
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In honor of both #FavoriteBookFridays and Native American Heritage Month, a fantastic list of picture books and graphic novels w/Indigenous protagonists:
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
There's still time to sign up for our winter Administrator Academies with the Illinois Principals Association! This is an excellent opportunity for administrators to learn about supporting multilingual learners in a convenient, supportive space.
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
There's still time to sign up for our winter Administrator Academies with the Illinois Principals Association! This is an excellent opportunity for administrators to learn about supporting multilingual learners in a convenient, supportive space.
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
Why get your bilingual/ESL endorsement from the IRC & National Louis University?
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
November 6, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Why get your bilingual/ESL endorsement from the IRC & National Louis University?
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
Want to start planning your itinerary for Multilingual IL 2025? You're in luck — you can now explore dozens of sessions in the draft program available on the IRC website!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 6, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Want to start planning your itinerary for Multilingual IL 2025? You're in luck — you can now explore dozens of sessions in the draft program available on the IRC website!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
All educators and staff members have a role to play in supporting students with limited or interrupted education, also known as SLIFE. In this webinar from Carly Spina, learn how to build capacity so that the entire team is empowered to meet the complex needs of these students. RSVP @ IRC website!
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
All educators and staff members have a role to play in supporting students with limited or interrupted education, also known as SLIFE. In this webinar from Carly Spina, learn how to build capacity so that the entire team is empowered to meet the complex needs of these students. RSVP @ IRC website!
Next week, join the CSEL team for an all-day PD deep dive on building computer science and STEM skills in the science class with your English learner students. No CS experience necessary! RSVP on the IRC website.
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Next week, join the CSEL team for an all-day PD deep dive on building computer science and STEM skills in the science class with your English learner students. No CS experience necessary! RSVP on the IRC website.
For #ToolkitTuesday, sharing an amazing resource from the National Indian Education Association including culturally responsive materials for parents, teachers, students and districts: https://www.niea.org/virtual-resources-for-parents-and-teachers
Culturally-Based Curriculum — National Indian Education Association
Great Lakes Equity Center: COVID-19 Pandemic Resources & SupportThis page features Center resources to support your equity work during the pandemic, and pandemic-specific website resources to help you navigate this new and evolving learning landscape.
www.niea.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
For #ToolkitTuesday, sharing an amazing resource from the National Indian Education Association including culturally responsive materials for parents, teachers, students and districts: https://www.niea.org/virtual-resources-for-parents-and-teachers
Next week, join Carly Spina for a deep dive on the ISBE EL Path to Proficiency (EL PtP) and how to leverage the information to best support your students. AM and PM sessions are available. RSVP on the IRC website!
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Next week, join Carly Spina for a deep dive on the ISBE EL Path to Proficiency (EL PtP) and how to leverage the information to best support your students. AM and PM sessions are available. RSVP on the IRC website!
If your students and families need additional support during the interruption of SNAP/LINK benefits, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has a map of pantries, food distribution sites, hot meals & more in your community:
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
November 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
If your students and families need additional support during the interruption of SNAP/LINK benefits, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has a map of pantries, food distribution sites, hot meals & more in your community:
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
Today is Japanese Culture Day! Check out these resources for elementary classrooms from Columbia University's "Asia for Educators" initiative to explore and share Japanese art, geography, cultural practices, food and more!
https://afe.easia.columbia.edu/elementary/japan/index.html
https://afe.easia.columbia.edu/elementary/japan/index.html
November 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Today is Japanese Culture Day! Check out these resources for elementary classrooms from Columbia University's "Asia for Educators" initiative to explore and share Japanese art, geography, cultural practices, food and more!
https://afe.easia.columbia.edu/elementary/japan/index.html
https://afe.easia.columbia.edu/elementary/japan/index.html
Happy #MathMonday! Join us next week for the second installment of Vanessa Figueroa and Peter Tierney-Fife's webinars all about making math instruction more accessible for multilingual learners. Excited for this collaboration with our friends at Math for All!
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Happy #MathMonday! Join us next week for the second installment of Vanessa Figueroa and Peter Tierney-Fife's webinars all about making math instruction more accessible for multilingual learners. Excited for this collaboration with our friends at Math for All!
The IRC is proud to support the Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health annual conference, taking place next week! Our dear friend Adelicia Brienzo will be presenting on the topic of culturally responsive family engagement.
https://ilaimh.org/professional-development/ilaimh-conference/
https://ilaimh.org/professional-development/ilaimh-conference/
Conference - Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health
ILAIMH 2025 Conference The Power of Supporting Parenting: Bridging Research and Practice Event Details Friday, November 7, 2025 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills Moraine Business…
ilaimh.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The IRC is proud to support the Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health annual conference, taking place next week! Our dear friend Adelicia Brienzo will be presenting on the topic of culturally responsive family engagement.
https://ilaimh.org/professional-development/ilaimh-conference/
https://ilaimh.org/professional-development/ilaimh-conference/
Native American Heritage Month stars tomorrow! For #FavoriteBookFridays, we're sharing this list from Social Justice Books, showcasing fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages.
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/american-indians/
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/american-indians/
October 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Native American Heritage Month stars tomorrow! For #FavoriteBookFridays, we're sharing this list from Social Justice Books, showcasing fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages.
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/american-indians/
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/american-indians/
We can't wait to see all of our Peeps at the Multilingual IL Conference this December in Tinley Park! Maybe it's because we have candy on the brain with Halloween tomorrow, but to us, coming together to share ideas & connect as multilingual educators is the sweetest thing. RSVP at the IRC website!
October 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
We can't wait to see all of our Peeps at the Multilingual IL Conference this December in Tinley Park! Maybe it's because we have candy on the brain with Halloween tomorrow, but to us, coming together to share ideas & connect as multilingual educators is the sweetest thing. RSVP at the IRC website!
This weekend, many of our communities will be celebrating Día De Los Muertos. Check out this great updated classroom book list on the holiday from our friends at Colorín, Colorado:
https://www.colorincolorado.org/booklist/celebrating-day-dead
https://www.colorincolorado.org/booklist/celebrating-day-dead
Celebrating the Day of the Dead
En español Celebrating the Day of the Dead The Day of the Dead is a time of both joy and quiet remembrance as families honor their loved ones who have died. While variations of the Day of the Dead are celebrated in many Latin American countries, some of the most well-known traditions are those from…
www.colorincolorado.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This weekend, many of our communities will be celebrating Día De Los Muertos. Check out this great updated classroom book list on the holiday from our friends at Colorín, Colorado:
https://www.colorincolorado.org/booklist/celebrating-day-dead
https://www.colorincolorado.org/booklist/celebrating-day-dead
"I realized that it provides students with the opportunity to interact with someone who speaks their mother tongue and to feel connected on a different level. That’s no small thing." https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/09/25/educator-speaks-creole-to-connect-with-haitian-students/
I asked my Haitian students why they answer me in Creole. Here’s what they said.
Using his own journey as a Haitian immigrant, Websder Corneille builds a connection with Haitian students and their caregivers and offers resources beyond school walls.
www.chalkbeat.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
"I realized that it provides students with the opportunity to interact with someone who speaks their mother tongue and to feel connected on a different level. That’s no small thing." https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025/09/25/educator-speaks-creole-to-connect-with-haitian-students/
Seeking support on unpacking the ISBE English Learner Path to Proficiency? Join Carly Spina for an exploration of the EL PtP and how to best utilize this data to support your students' language proficiency. RSVP at the IRC website.
October 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Seeking support on unpacking the ISBE English Learner Path to Proficiency? Join Carly Spina for an exploration of the EL PtP and how to best utilize this data to support your students' language proficiency. RSVP at the IRC website.