Annual Conference on English Learner Education

A day of ideas, innovation, and advocacy for multilingual learner success.

Join Kutztown University for the 2026 Sixth Annual Kutztown University-District Partnership Conference on English Learner Education. This full-day event brings together educators, students, alumni, and school partners on to explore creative, relevant, and forward-thinking approaches to supporting English language learners.

This year’s theme, “From Art Supplies to AI: Creative Relevant Pedagogies for English Language Learners,” highlights a wide range of ideas for building inclusive, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for multilingual students.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Start time: 9:00 a.m.
End time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Boehm Building
Registration: Free to all
Lunch provided

Schedule at a Glance

  • 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Welcome & Keynote Speakers

    Boehm 145

    9:00 - 9:05 a.m.
    Dean’s Welcome Remarks
    Dr. Rebecca Burns, College of Education

    9:05 - 9:10 a.m.
    Dr. Philip Cavalier, University President, Kutztown University

    9:10 - 9:20 a.m.
    KU Student Megan Smith
    KU Student Emilia Ferreira
    KU Alumni, Central Bucks School District, Gwenyth DiPrinzio

    9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
    Keynote Speakers: Reading Senior High School Students

  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Morning Sessions

    Boehm 105
    Elizabeth Techman
    Woven Threads of Solidarity - The Pulsera Project for ELs
    Moderator: Gwenyth DiPrinzio

    Boehm 107
    Dr. Patricia Pytleski
    English Language Learners: Pedagogies for Inclusion and Enrichment in the English Language Arts Classroom
    Moderators: Dr. Jennifer Cameron and Megan Smith

    Boehm 145
    Emilia Ferreira, Dr. SungEun Min, and Dr. Christopher Weiler
    Empowering Future Teachers: Genius Hour for ELL Advocacy and Instruction
    Moderators: Dr. Andrew Miness and Zackary Stackhouse

    Boehm 260
    Rebecca Colagreco
    Navigating the First Years as a New ESL Teacher: Essential Tips and Strategies
    Moderator: Elisa Hammes

    Boehm 261
    Dr. Maria Lester and Mrs. Elizabeth Laviena
    Leveraging Linguistic Assets: Using English Learners’ Native Language Skills to Earn College Credit
    Moderator: Eleisha Moreno

    Boehm 262
    Dr. Robson Martins de Araujo Junior
    English Teaching and Learning Strategies from Everyday Media to Generative AI
    Moderators: Jessie O’Brien and Gigi Parker

  • 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch & Poster Presentations

    Boehm Building (various locations)

    Lunch
    12:00 - 12:45 p.m.

    Student Poster Presentations 
    12:45 - 2:00 p.m.
    Hosted by Dr. Christopher Weiler and Dr. SungEun Min

  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Sessions

    Boehm 105
    Esperanza “Macky” Wickert and Sarah Troester
    Creating the Third Space
    Moderator: Eleisha Moreno

    Boehm 107
    Caitlin A. McEnroe
    Roots & Voices: "Where I'm From"
    Moderators: Dr. Andrew Miness and Jose Jimenez

    Boehm 145
    Heather Romberger
    Digging up the Roots of Systemic Inequity for ELLs: The intersection of case law, PAGE, and IDEA
    Moderators: Elisa Hammes and Yianni Kataxakis

    Boehm 260
    Dr. Edward Luckey
    Resonance Before Fluency: Neuroscience, Belonging, and Intentional Arts Design for English Learners
    Moderator: Dr. Patricia Pytleski

    Boehm 261
    Jocelio Ferreira and Dr. Robson Martins de Araujo Junior
    From T9 to GenAI: The Lifelong Technology-Enhanced Strategies of Two Multilingual Learners
    Moderators: Gwenyth DiPrinzio and Megan Smith

    Boehm 262
    Heily Montes and Shannon Rohrer
    Scaffolding Smarter: Practical AI Strategies for Supporting High School English Learners
    Moderators: Jessie O’Brien and Zackary Stackhouse

  • 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closing

    Boehm 145
    Raffle drawing with prizes
    Closing remarks

For details and further information, please contact conference organizer Dr. Brenda Muzeta at muzeta@kutztown.edu.

Special thanks to the Department of Secondary Education for sponsoring this event.

English Learner Education at KU

In addition to our annual conference, the University offers three preparation pathways to English as a Second Language PK-12 Program Specialist Certification at the undergraduate and graduate levels:

To learn more about English Learner Education at KU, contact program coordinator Dr. Brenda Muzeta at muzeta@kutztown.edu.

Secondary Education College of Education