WIDA at Conferences

Find WIDA staff at conferences across the country
In addition to hosting the WIDA Annual Conference, WIDA staff participate in many other regional, national and international conferences throughout the year.
Look for us at these upcoming conferences:
- New Hampshire Assessment and Accountability Conference - October 2025
October 6-7, 2025
Concord, New HampshireUnderstanding WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS Score Reports
Samuel Aguirre and Erica SponbergLearn more about the New Hampshire Assessment and Accountability Conference.
- The Reading League (TRL) Conference – October 2025
October 9, 2025
Chicago, IllinoisA Moderated Conversation on Multilingual Literacy with WIDA, Floyd County, GA, and University of Georgia Collaborators
Jenni Monie de Torres, Teresa Krastel, Maya Martínez Hart, and Lynn Shafer Willner; John Parker, Tabatha Tierce, Jennifer Pendergrass-Bennefield (Floyd County Schools); David Chiesa (The University of Georgia)Learn more about TRL.
- Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE) Conference - October 2025
October 10, 2025
Chicago, IllinoisExploring the potential of AI-based writing assessment for multilingual learners
Mark Chapman and Grace LiLearn more about SREE.
- Dakota TESOL Conference - October 2025
October 20-21, 2025
Sioux Falls, SDExpanding Reading Practices for Multilingual Learners and Writing with Multilingual Learners
Emma WrightLearn more about Dakota TESOL.
- Bridging Georgia: GATESOL 2025 Conference - October 2025
October 30-31, 2025
Athens, GeorgiaGATESOL Journal Showcase
Lynn Shafer WillnerLearn more about the GATESOL Conference.
- Carolina TESOL Conference - November 2025
November 5-7, 2025
Charlotte, North CarolinaWIDA ACCESS: Connecting Standards to Revisions
Jason A. KempAmplifying Student Voices: Transforming ACCESS Prep into Meaningful Learning
Tamara J. Coburn (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools) and Jason A. KempLearn more about Carolina TESOL.
- La Cosecha Conference - November 2025
November 11-15, 2025
Albuquerque, New MexicoBilingual Brilliance: Uniting Teachers and Admins to Unlock Multilingual Learners’ Potential!
Grazzia Maria Mendoza ChirinosLearn more about La Cosecha.
- Indiana TESOL Conference (INTESOL) - November 2025
November 22, 2025
Indianapolis, IndianaKeynote presentation
Timothy BoalsLearn more about INTESOL.
- TESOL PreK-12 Virtual Convention - November 2025
November 23, 2025
VirtualBridging Global Trends and Local Realities: Transforming ELT Through Contextual Innovation
Grazzia Maria Mendoza ChirinosLearn more about the TESOL PreK-12 Convention.
- Literacy Research Association (LRA) Conference - December 2025
December 3-6, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada"We only focus on writing, no pictures today”: Navigating Challenges to Foster a Multimodal Literacy Learning Space in Elementary English Language Development (ELD) Classrooms
Hannah ParkExploring bilingual/ESL pre-service teachers’ emotioned learning and sensemaking in their knowledge co-construction as enacted during computer-mediated classroom discussion
Hannah ParkLearn more about LRA.
- Hawaii International Conference on Education - January 2026
January 8-11, 2026
Honolulu, HawaiiRooted in Respect: Culturally Sustaining Practices and Resources for Indigenous Student Success
Jenni Monie de Torres, Vitaliy Shyyan, Jamie Shanley (Sealaska Heritage Institute) and Gayle Miller (Lower Kuskokwim School District)Learn more about the Hawaii International Conference on Education.
- National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Conference - February 2026
February 9-13, 2026
Chicago, IllinoisUtilizing Language Development Standards Frameworks: Integrating Content and Language in Instructional Units
Maya Martinez-Hart and Edith NavaLearn more about NABE.
- American Association For Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference - March 2026
March 21-24, 2026
Chicago, IllinoisImplementing English Language Development Standards and Transformative Practices in a Rural School District—A Case Study Approach
Hannah ParkGoals and Motivational Orientations of Multilingual International Students in English-Speaking Universities
Hannah ParkValidating language development with responsible AI: Using LLMs to support WIDA Can Do Descriptor updates
Lynn Shafer WillnerLearn more about AAAL.
WIDA researcher wins award for work in New Jersey

Lynn Shafer Willner, a researcher at WIDA, has been awarded the 2024 NJTESOL/NJBE President’s Award. This award is given annually to an individual whose work has significantly advanced the needs of multilingual learners in New Jersey, serving as a catalyst for change and excellence in education. Read the article about Lynn's work advancing the understanding and application of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework.