LEADER NETWORK

WHO: For DLBE program, school, and district leaders and administrators, such as principals, assistant principals, district leaders, and department heads.

WHAT: Participants will focus on deconstructing and finding solutions for agreed-upon common issues in the field. 

Alignments: National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards (NDLETPS) Standard (EMMA Standards): Standard 6: Program Design and Curricular Leadership

WHEN: Seven Virtual Meetings | Wednesdays, 9-10:30am (90 minutes) | October 1, 2025; October 15, 2025; November 12, 2025; December 10, 2025; January 7, 2026; February 4, 2026; March 11, 2026 (Subject to possible changes) 

• The expectation is for participants to attend all sessions in the Network.

• Registration closes Wednesday, September 24. (Registrations after this date will include a late registration fee.)

FACILITATOR: Susan McGilvray-Rivet, Retired Educator, MA & MABE Consultant

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MABE Policies: 

• Registration Policy: Please contact megburns@mabene.org for group registrations (registrations for a group of individuals from a district/school). 
• Payment Policy: MABE must receive payment or Purchase Order numbers by the date registration closes. Late registrations subject to additional charge.
• Cancellation & Refund Policy: Event registrations are transferable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. Cancellation refunds of payments will be subject to a 10% reduction of the registration fee, refundable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. 

TEACHER & COACH NETWORK

WHO: For DLBE elementary, middle, and high school level teachers and coaches. 

WHAT: Participants will explore oracy, translanguaging, and supporting partner language development. 

Alignments: National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards (NDLETPS) Standard (EMMA Standards): Standard 4: Authentic Assessment in Dual Language

WHEN: Webinars with Follow-up Virtual Meetings 

• NEW THIS YEAR! Three Webinars & Three Follow-up Virtual Network Meetings | Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm (60 minutes) 
• • • Webinars will be live and will also be recorded and emailed to registrants on the following Friday. Webinar access will expire March 2026.
    • These follow-up virtual network meetings will offer an opportunity to review, discuss, and expand on the previous webinar's content, as well as network. 
    • Register at any time to receive all recordings and participate in meetings.
    • The expectation is for participants to watch all webinars and attend all follow-up Network Meetings.
    • Network facilitators will group attendees based on roles (coach or teacher).

• • Webinar: December 2, 2025 | Facilitator: Ayda Parra-Rojas
    Las destrezas fundamentales de la alfabetización en español (webinar conducido en español). Este seminario web explorará las destrezas fundamentales del idioma español a partir de los estándares y su aplicación en la enseñanza para grados Kinder-5. Se presentará un análisis contrastivo entre el español y el inglés, destacando diferencias clave, incluyendo el uso del acento. Además, se abordará un problema de práctica común para reflexionar sobre estrategias pedagógicas efectivas.  
  • Follow-up Meeting: December 9, 2025
    
    
  • Webinar: February 3, 2026  | Facilitator: Amy Finsmith 
    Guiding Growth: Coaching for Purposeful Translanguaging. How can teachers and coaches take first steps that lead to deeper, more purposeful translanguaging? This webinar will explore  how  teachers can plan for cross-linguistic connections, supported by coaches’ intentional reflection and feedback. Participants will leave with practical ways to build both competence and confidence, one step at a time.
    Follow-up Meeting: February 10, 2026

PAST MEETINGS: 

• Webinar: October 21, 2025 | Facilitator: Elissa Washburn
  Understanding Translanguaging. This webinar will define the term “translanguaging” - what it is and what it isn’t. We will consider how we can incorporate translanguaging pedagogy into our dual language classroom settings to foster cross linguistic connections that leverage the unique benefits a dual language program brings to student learning. We will discuss ways to balance utilizing all the resources in our students’ bilingual linguistic repertoire for effective multilingual learning with achieving teachers’ goals in their target language, including protecting the minority partner language in the English-dominant US academic system.
  Follow-up Meeting: October 28, 2025
  
  

FACILITATORS: 

• Elissa Washburn, MABE Assistant Director of Professional Learning
• Ayda Parra-Rojas, Windham Public Schools, CT Dual Language Specialist  
• Amy Finsmith, Windham Public Schools, CT Supervisor of  Multilingual Education 

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MABE Policies: 

• Registration Policy: Please contact megburns@mabene.org for group registrations (registrations for a group of individuals from a district/school). 
• Payment Policy: MABE must receive payment or Purchase Order numbers by the date registration closes. Late registrations subject to additional charge.
• Cancellation & Refund Policy: Event registrations are transferable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. Cancellation refunds of payments will be subject to a 10% reduction of the registration fee, refundable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION NETWORK

WHO: For DLBE special educators (e.g. support staff, teachers, and leaders who support bilingual special education students) and staff involved in the assessment process for bilingual students who are struggling or are receiving special education services (e.g. social workers, guidance counselors, coaches). 

WHAT: Participants will focus on deconstructing and finding solutions for agreed-upon common issues in the field. 

Alignments: National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards (NDLETPS) and Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education.

 Learn more about this historic network.

WHEN: Seven Virtual Meetings | Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm (90 minutes) | October 28, 2025; November 25, 2025; December 16, 2025; January 27, 2026; February 24, 2026; March 24, 2026; April 28, 2026 (Subject to possible changes) 

• The expectation is for participants to attend all sessions in the Network.

• Registration closes Tuesday, October 21. (Registrations after this date will include a late registration fee.)

FACILITATORS:

• Dr. Beth Llorca, Assistant Professor at Stonehill College, MA 
• Dr. Lusa Lo, Graduate Program Director, Special Education, UMASS Boston
• Phyllis Hardy, MABE Executive Director 
  
• Supporters: Dr. Pat Landurand and Maria Wilson-Portuondo

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MABE Policies: 

• Registration Policy: Please contact megburns@mabene.org for group registrations (registrations for a group of individuals from a district/school). 
• Payment Policy: MABE must receive payment or Purchase Order numbers by the date registration closes. Late registrations subject to additional charge.
• Cancellation & Refund Policy: Event registrations are transferable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. Cancellation refunds of payments will be subject to a 10% reduction of the registration fee, refundable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. 

DLBE RESOURCE NETWORK 

WHO: A free MABE member benefit to members in good standing (with no outstanding balances). Members can register at any time to receive access to all network resources. If you are not a member, join us to register. 

WHAT: This year's Special Topic Network will focus on resources available to Dual Language Bilingual Education (DLBE) programs and educators as identified by MABE members. Learn about five topics: MABE's Member’s Resource Library, Holistic Bilingualism, Performance Assessments, Translanguaging & Language Objectives, and Backwards Design & Language Planning. There are two components to this Resource Network: 

WHEN:  

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MABE Policies: 

• Membership Policy: Learn more about your MABE Member Benefits. 
• Registration Policy: Please contact megburns@mabene.org and lauraperez-handler@mabene.org for group registrations (registrations for a group of individuals from a district/school). 

WHY: MABE's Dual Language Education Annual is an ideal opportunity for you to reach out to educators from across the region. We have over 3,000 members and contacts nationally and internationally, the majority of which are from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. We serve a variety of educators, including school administrators, teachers, coaches, special educators, higher education professionals, and state education agency employees. Last year we had 450 registrants from 10 states, and offered more than 50 sessions. This year, we are hoping to reach even more educators.Please consider how you can support our organization to the benefit of yours. 

WHO: Any company, agency, or organization seeking to support MABE and Dual Language Bilingual Education.

WHEN: In-person on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 7:30am-4:00pm

WHERE: Windham High School, 355 High St, Willimantic, CT 

HOW: Check out our Sponsor Menu below to see which opportunity to support each other works best for you, then register here. 

• QUESTIONS: Contact Meg Burns, Director of Professional Learning, with any questions. We appreciate your support and consideration, and look forward to collaborating with you this academic year!
• Payment Policy (Please note:  American Express not accepted). 

Learn more about #MABE2026.

• When? Saturday, March 7,  2026, 7:30am-4:00pm 
• Where? Windham High School (Windham Public Schools), 355 High St, Willimantic, CT
  → We encourage carpooling or public transportation.
• Registration Period: Registrations A-H close on February 13, 2026. "I. Late Registration" is subject to additional fee and active February 14–23, 2026. Please email megburns@mabene.org if you require a registration code. 

• Sponsors: View Sponsor Menu and register here. 

• Scholarship Application

• Conference FAQs 
• Present: Call For Proposals closes Monday, January 19, 2026 

• Hospitality: COMING SOON!

• Conference Schedule: 7:30-4:00pm, sched.com goes live February 2, 2026

• Conference Shirt & Merch: COMING SOON!  

• Conference Theme: Campeones del bilingüismo: Building justiça together 

• Conference Keynote: Dr. Christine Leider 

Learn more about #MABE2026.

• Registration Policy: Please contact megburns@mabene.org for group registrations (registrations for a group of 4 or more individuals from a district/school). 
• Payment Policy: MABE must receive payment or Purchase Order numbers by the date registration closes (February 23, 2026 - send to elissawashburn@mabene.org). Sorry, American Express cards not accepted. 
• Cancellation & Refund Policy: Event registrations are transferable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts. Cancellation refunds of payments will be subject to a 10% reduction of the registration fee, refundable up to 1 week (7 days) before the event starts.