Empowering Educators, Elevating Voices

Educators, advocates, parents, and students came together at Western Illinois University–Quad Cities for the 2025 Multilingual Education Conference, hosted by WQPT PBS and WIU. The one-day event welcomed approximately 110 attendees and focused on supporting multilingual learners and the educators who serve them.

The conference delivered meaningful insights and inspired attendees across the region through breakout sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. The event drew a diverse group of participants, including 13 presenters, 21 Parent Mentors, 6 WIU faculty and staff, 6 WQPT PBS team members, 10 students and a teacher from United Township High School, 8 WIU students, and representatives from 15 community organizations. More than free 250 books were distributed to attendees to take back to their homes, classrooms, and programs.

Conference Keynote

Keynote speaker Sara Mendez, 2024 Illinois Bilingual Teacher of the Year, set the tone for the day with her address, “The Ordinary is Extraordinary.” Mendez shared a heartfelt reflection on overcoming imposter syndrome, reminding educators to see the value they bring to multilingual learners every day. Her message resonated with the conference’s central theme: empowering those who shape young minds through cultural understanding, language development, and advocacy.

Informative Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions offered something for everyone—from curriculum mapping and AI tools for teachers, to Latinx-centered self-care workshops, and legal rights for undocumented families. The student and parent mentor panels provided some of the day’s most moving moments, with stories of resilience, growth, and impact shared by those on the front lines of multilingual education.

Conference presenters included:

• Julia Albarracin – Professor of Political Science and Executive Director, Western Illinois DREAMers
• Tania Alcala – First Grade Teacher
• José Burgos – Spanish Teacher; Social Entrepreneur
• Teresa Dothard-Campbell – District Coordinator for Family/Community Engagement and ISBE/Teach Plus Facilitator
• Kelsey Erickson – District ESL Director
• Kathi Gantt – Multilingual English Language Arts Teacher
• Melissa Gravert – Director of Educational Outreach, WQPT PBS; ESL Instructor, WIU-QC
• Rose Hernandez – Faculty, United Township High School
• Jessica Matherly – Curriculum Designer and ELL Teacher, Moline School District
• Sara Mendez – Multilingual Learner Teacher; 2024 Illinois Bilingual Teacher of the Year
• Margarita Mojica – Middle School Teacher and Latinx Workshop Founder, East Moline School District 37
• Robert Mwaga – English Language Arts and Literature Instructor, Moline School District
• Dr. Carla Paciotto – Faculty, Western Illinois University–QC
• Eduardo Pérez – Center Director, WIU Bilingual Early Learning and Family Center
• Korah Winn Romkey – EL Teacher, RIMSD #41
• Amanda Walters – ML Specialist, Wilson Middle School, Moline

Overwhelming Positive Response

Survey responses were overwhelmingly positive. “The conference was really exciting,” wrote one participant. “Presenters were excited about their topics, involved us, and had prepared well. I enjoyed the time to exchange ideas and learn so much in one day! Well done, Team!” Another added, “The parent panel was so inspiring—it was my favorite part of the day. The joy that shined through when parents shared their accomplishments was so impactful.”

This year’s event was generously sponsored by The Early Childhood Coalition of the Quad Cities, The GradCenter, and the Group O Endowment Fund, reflecting a strong community commitment to inclusive and equitable education.

With such enthusiastic engagement and powerful stories shared, the 2025 Multilingual Education Conference proved to be more than just an event—it was a celebration of the educators, parents, and learners shaping the future of multilingual education.