Edutopia: Tapping into English Language Learners’ Strengths

Written By Aisha Christa Atkinson

Equity in education is the personalized assurance that all students receive the resources they need to thrive in the academic setting. One way to do that in a class with English language learners, or multilingual students, is to leverage culturally sustaining practices, which stem from the belief that multilingual learners possess a diverse array of experiences and skills that contribute to the dynamics of the learning environment and their own academic success.

We can provide multilingual students with opportunities to actively engage in translanguaging, the practice of students having opportunities to engage in the learning process by using their linguistic repertoire to support linguistic growth in their target language.

Read more at Edutopia

Aisha Christa Atkinson

Aisha Christa Atkinson is an award-winning instructional leader, education scholar, and writer whose work centers on inclusive leadership, literacy development, and the design of supportive school communities. She serves as Assistant Principal at Stafford Early Childhood Center in Texas and was named Stafford MSD District Professional of the Year (2025) and the 71st Texas Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. (2023). Her writing has appeared in Education Week, Edutopia, Texas Voices, Teacher2Teacher, and Advocate for Me Magazine, where she examines instructional leadership, differentiated instruction, and systems that cultivate belonging. Aisha holds advanced degrees in Educational Administration and English Education and writes at the intersection of practice, policy, and purpose.

https://www.aishacatkinson.com
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