Margo Gottlieb inducted into Multilingual Education Hall of Fame

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA, Ga. - Margo Gottlieb, WIDA co-founder and lead developer, was inducted into the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame.

The Multilingual Education Hall of Fame was created by Summit K12 to recognize pioneers and leaders who have significantly shaped the field of multilingual learner education. The inaugural induction ceremony was held by the National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE) at the 2025 annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Margo, whose groundbreaking contributions have transformed language education policy and assessment, joined an esteemed group of educators, researchers and advocates in the first ever class of inductees, including Lily Wong Fillmore, Jim Cummins, Alma Flor Ada, Isabel Campoy, Stephan Krashen, Margarita Calderón, Kathy Escamilla, Pedro Noguera, Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, Rudy Crew and Rudy Rodriguez.

“It’s truly humbling to be recognized among such esteemed colleagues who have dedicated their lives to advancing multilingual education,” Margo shared. “This honor is not just for me, but for the educators, students and families who strive every day to ensure their languages are heard and celebrated.”

For decades, Margo has been at the forefront of advocating for multilingual learners, developing innovative assessment frameworks and spearheading the creation of the first published edition of WIDA’s English language development standards. She’s helped shape policies and practices that have influenced generations of learners.

“We are grateful for Margo’s lifelong commitment to multilingual education, language equity, and assessment innovation,” Amelia Larson, chief academic officer at Summit K12, said. “She embodies the dedication, innovation, and impact that define the Multilingual Hall of Fame."

This year’s ceremony marks the beginning of an annual tradition to celebrate excellence in the field. Beginning next year, Summit K12 plans to work with a committee in joint collaboration with NABE and other multilingual education associations to collect nominations and vote on inductees. Learn more on the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame website.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Hannah Haynes, hrhaynes@wisc.edu