No matter where you stand on immigration, educators and administrators play a critical role
in helping to create welcoming and safe learning environments free from the threat of deportation,
bullying, hate and racism. Schools are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all
their students. Schools should create the conditions for learning and teaching. Everyone living in the
U.S., regardless of immigration status, has certain basic constitutional rights. As immigration raids
intensify across the country under the new administration, it is important that students and families
are equipped with tools to protect themselves from the threat of deportation and family separation.
Participants will learn about the resources available to educators, administrators, school support staff
and families who are facing the threat of deportation. You will gain tools and resources to use in the
classroom, to share with families to help them prepare a rapid response plan.

Participants will join an asset-based leadership jam session, inspired by Mel Robbins' transformative
"The Let Them Theory." Through engaging anecdotes and interactive explorations, we will weave
together threads of heritage, culture, and current events to illustrate the profound impact this theory
can have on your leadership journey and beyond. Our journey will uncover replicable examples of
systemic shifts that can occur within your roles as you personally grow and implement "The Let Them
Theory." You'll leave with a toolkit of actionable insights and potential solutions to challenges faced
in your districts, ready to create meaningful change. Together, we’ll delve into the collaborative essence
of learning with a call to action: "Let Me.” Embrace your leadership power by releasing ownership of
others' decisions and truly take control of your path. Prepare to be inspired, empowered, and equipped
to transform your leadership approach and make a lasting impact in your community. Let's jam, lead,
let them!

Key Messages:
• Asset-based Leadership
• Empowerment through Release
• Impact of Culture and Current Events on the Leadership Journey
• Actionable Insights and Potential Solutions for Systemic Changes

Spotlight Speaker


Supporting Multilingual Learners:
Best Practices for Fair Placement and Academic Success

With federal funding more uncertain than ever, ensuring the accurate identification
and appropriate placement of Multilingual Learners (MLs) is critical. Research shows
that MLs are disproportionately over-identified for special education services, with studies
indicating that English learners are nearly 30% more likely to be misclassified as having a
learning disability compared to their non-ML peers (National Center for Learning Disabilities,
2021). Misidentification can lead to costly challenges, while data-driven placement strategies
have been shown to improve academic outcomes and long-term success.

Join Dr. Francisco Durán, Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, VA, and colleagues as
they share their expertise, passion, and evidence-based strategies for supporting all learners.
This session will explore how leveraging multiple data points—cognitive ability, life skills,
and English proficiency insights—can:

Ensure MLs are placed in the right programs for success
Maximize student potential while mitigating risks of misidentification
Align with the Florida Resiliency Framework to build confidence and academic resilience

Now more than ever, accurate identification is essential to securing the right support for MLs.
Over-identification for special education remains a persistent challenge, with studies showing
that misplacement leads to reduced access to grade-level curriculum and long-term academic
setbacks (U.S. Department of Education, 2020). Given today’s financial climate, these misallocations
come at a significant cost to both students and districts. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain
research-backed best practices that promote fairness, resilience, and achievement for all students!