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:
- 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.
- Virginia TESOL (VATESOL) - November 2025
November 13-14, 2025
Richmond, VirginiaUnpacking the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 edition: Understanding Language Features and Proficiency Level Descriptors
Alisa RhoadsIndividualizing Student Services and Supports for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities
Laurene Christensen, Vitaliy Shyyan and Kathryn ManningLearn more about VATESOL.
- Sunshine State TESOL of Florida - November 2025
November 15-16, 2025
Tampa, FloridaUtilizing Language Development Standards Frameworks: Integrating Language and Content
Andrea MercadoLearn more about SSTESOL.
- 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 ChirinosAffecting Policy Through Partnership and Coalition: The National English Learner Roundtable
Samuel AguirreLearn 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.