Events

English Learner Advocacy Institute

November 11-14, 2021

Lodi, CA 

 

Applications are due July 31, 2021.  

Awards will be announced on or before August 15, 2021. 

Are you passionate about creating a more equitable education system for English learners? We’re looking for mid-career education professionals looking to learn new skills and learn about the legacy of EL advocacy in California. 

Californians Together invites applicants to an extraordinary, four-day professional development event for selected leaders and advocates for quality education for English Learners. This is a fully-funded event (materials, meals, lodging), with  support available as needed for transportation. Applications will be competitive, as capacity for the award is limited. 

The institute will be based on design and materials developed for the English Learner  Leadership and Legacy Initiative (ELLLI).  ELLLI aims to equip a new generation of EL education leaders with an historical perspective and practical skills to  further advocacy and action work at the local, regional and state levels on behalf of ELs and  their families. The Institute features some of the state’s top EL authorities. 

Institute Format: 

You will experience a four-day institute (noon Thursday 11/11 through noon Sunday 11/14)).  Participants must commit to attending all four days. 

The institute includes presentations, discussions, case studies, film and hands-on activities that  will further develop your understanding of the history and current context of EL education in  California. The Institute will provide participants with skills in planning and implementing advocacy  campaigns, and to connect advocates to a growing community of EL advocates within local regions and across California. 

WHERE: The EL Advocacy Institute will take place at the beautiful Wine and Roses Hotel located in the heart of the Central Valley  in Lodi, California. Californians Together will be provide on-site accommodations  in spacious double-occupancy rooms (single-occupancy upon request). Pool and exercise facilities are available. 

WHEN: Attendance is required at all daytime and evening events from noon, Thursday, November 11, through noon, Sunday, November 14, 2021.  

The most competitive applicants will have: 

• Five or more years experience with EL education, in PreK-12 settings, institutes of higher education, or in community or advocacy organizations and...
• Some prior engagement in leadership and advocacy for EL education (e.g.school, district, or county level, or non-governmental organization, and engagement in local CABE chapter). 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE: 

Attendance will be fully-funded for the most qualified individuals selected from among all applicants. Those admitted into the institute will receive all materials, *lodging (single occupancy) and meals during the institute, and be reimbursed for flights, mileage, and/or ground transportation up to  $300 each. Those who complete the four days will become ELLLI advocates, joining an expanding ELLLI community, along with veteran EL advocates in our efforts to impact state-wide policy and practice in fostering quality education for English learners. 

HOW TO APPLY:  caltog.co/3tFsEIH

All applications must be submitted online. No paper applications will be accepted. Application deadline: July 31, 2021

The 2021 EL Advocacy Institute has been made possible thanks to the generous support of  The Emerging Bilingual Collaborative, a project of the New Venture Fund, which includes: The Sobrato Family Foundation, The Heising-Simons Foundation, Silver Giving, and the California Community Foundation.  Additional support for this project has come from the Stuart Foundation, the ABLE fund, and scores of  individual donors.  

Californians Together is a statewide advocacy coalition of powerful organizations from all segments of the education community including: teachers, administrators, board members,  parents and civil rights non-profit groups. Our member organizations come together, united  around the goal of better educating the  1.1 million English Learners in California by improving our schools and promoting equitable educational policy. 

For more information, visit our website at: californianstogether.org or our ELLLI project page:  https://www.californianstogether.org/english-learner-leadership-legacy-initiative/

Questions? 

Please contact Ruth Barajas, Project Director, Californians Together ruth@californianstogether.org