Illinois Resource Center
@ilresourcectr.bsky.social
We provide professional development and support services for teachers and administrators who serve linguistically and culturally diverse students. #EduSky
Our team is hard at work getting ready to welcome more than 2,000 educators for the Multilingual Illinois Statewide Conference! We look forward to learning, connecting & celebrating with our community.
December 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Our team is hard at work getting ready to welcome more than 2,000 educators for the Multilingual Illinois Statewide Conference! We look forward to learning, connecting & celebrating with our community.
Another recent study showcases how bilingual students excel in reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills, and how speaking multiple languages can foster understanding, empathy and respect:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyched/202510/why-bilingual-kids-have-a-learning-advantage
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyched/202510/why-bilingual-kids-have-a-learning-advantage
Why Bilingual Kids Have a Learning Advantage
Bilingual children gain more than a second language. New research shows that speaking two languages strengthens memory, reasoning, and adaptability.
www.psychologytoday.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Another recent study showcases how bilingual students excel in reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills, and how speaking multiple languages can foster understanding, empathy and respect:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyched/202510/why-bilingual-kids-have-a-learning-advantage
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psyched/202510/why-bilingual-kids-have-a-learning-advantage
Happy American Education Week! To the many teachers — not to mention school support staff, administrators, paraprofessionals & many others — who make our school communities go, we see you and we appreciate you!
November 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Happy American Education Week! To the many teachers — not to mention school support staff, administrators, paraprofessionals & many others — who make our school communities go, we see you and we appreciate you!
Are the shorter days getting you down? Seeking something to reenergize you? Get that creative spark back at IRC Specialist Olivia Mulcahy's supportive Free Write sessions! RSVP at the IRC website.
November 14, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Are the shorter days getting you down? Seeking something to reenergize you? Get that creative spark back at IRC Specialist Olivia Mulcahy's supportive Free Write sessions! RSVP at the IRC website.
It's #FavoriteBookFridays! Sharing this great new list from School Library Journal with four current, engaging YA titles telling Indigenous stories, perfect for young readers in November and beyond! https://www.slj.com/story/4-ya-novels-for-native-american-heritage-month
4 YA Novels for Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month, celebrated in November, celebrates the rich histories, cultures, achievements, and stories of Indigenous peoples across the United States. Share these four YA titles, all with Indigenous protagonists, with young readers in time for NAHM and anytime during the year.
www.slj.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
It's #FavoriteBookFridays! Sharing this great new list from School Library Journal with four current, engaging YA titles telling Indigenous stories, perfect for young readers in November and beyond! https://www.slj.com/story/4-ya-novels-for-native-american-heritage-month
Today is World Kindness Day! Check out this thread of ideas of how to celebrate kindness by teachers, for teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1111pe2/random_acts_of_kindness_week/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1111pe2/random_acts_of_kindness_week/
November 13, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Today is World Kindness Day! Check out this thread of ideas of how to celebrate kindness by teachers, for teachers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1111pe2/random_acts_of_kindness_week/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1111pe2/random_acts_of_kindness_week/
If there's one thing educators love, it's talking about books! Book enthusiasts won't want to miss the featured session on Tuesday, 12/9 at Multilingual IL, where IRC Specialist Maggie Essig takes you through must-haves for your classroom library!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 13, 2025 at 9:05 PM
If there's one thing educators love, it's talking about books! Book enthusiasts won't want to miss the featured session on Tuesday, 12/9 at Multilingual IL, where IRC Specialist Maggie Essig takes you through must-haves for your classroom library!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
At last year's Multilingual IL conference, IRC Director Josie Yanguas was presented with a beautiful quilt featuring past conference themes! How many of these do you remember? Share your memories with us & RSVP to make some new memories at this year's conference!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 13, 2025 at 9:05 PM
At last year's Multilingual IL conference, IRC Director Josie Yanguas was presented with a beautiful quilt featuring past conference themes! How many of these do you remember? Share your memories with us & RSVP to make some new memories at this year's conference!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
Multilingual students often serve as interpreters for their parents & caregivers. Here's some simple ways schools can help support & empower children who take on this role:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
Simple Ways Schools Can Support Students Who Translate at Home
Many multilingual children serve as “little interpreters” for their families, balancing translation duties with schoolwork. Schools can ease this burden by offering support, validation, and inclusion.
www.psychologytoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Multilingual students often serve as interpreters for their parents & caregivers. Here's some simple ways schools can help support & empower children who take on this role:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowering-children-of-immigrants/202510/simple-ways-schools-can-support-students-who
No matter what you're interested in or seeking support with, from AI to MTSS, assessment to family engagement, you can find ideas, resources and sessions from among the 120 breakouts at Multilingual IL next month! Register today!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
No matter what you're interested in or seeking support with, from AI to MTSS, assessment to family engagement, you can find ideas, resources and sessions from among the 120 breakouts at Multilingual IL next month! Register today!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
IDEACon, sponsored by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, is one of our favorite education conferences to attend. Join the IDEA team and a host of dynamic presenters in Schaumburg this February!
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
November 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
IDEACon, sponsored by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, is one of our favorite education conferences to attend. Join the IDEA team and a host of dynamic presenters in Schaumburg this February!
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
https://web.cvent.com/event/7eae65c8-c5de-4bec-a756-3fa21074bf95/register
IRC Specialist Olivia Mulcahy created an incredible guide to teaching Native stories & histories, not just in November, including some amazing bilingual books. Check it out! #ToolkitTuesday https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x_X6RNxhkoMvTlZn56_rFWK5nazfv84tOrW7OiAiDhc/edit
Native Histories: Maximizing this Mandate for Multilingual Learners (Multilingual IL Dec 2024)
Native Histories: Maximizing This Mandate for Multilingual Learners Olivia Mulcahy, Illinois Resource Center Multilingual Illinois - December, 2024
docs.google.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
IRC Specialist Olivia Mulcahy created an incredible guide to teaching Native stories & histories, not just in November, including some amazing bilingual books. Check it out! #ToolkitTuesday https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1x_X6RNxhkoMvTlZn56_rFWK5nazfv84tOrW7OiAiDhc/edit
Just a month to go until our 2025 Multilingual IL Statewide Conference! Don't miss three days of more than 120 speakers and infinite opportunities to learn, connect & support your multilingual students!
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Just a month to go until our 2025 Multilingual IL Statewide Conference! Don't miss three days of more than 120 speakers and infinite opportunities to learn, connect & support your multilingual students!
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
https://tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
A little #MondayMotivation from IRC Specialist Carly Spina with this featured post on energy & engagement from the ELLevation blog: https://ellevationeducation.com/blog/high-energy-high-engagement-high-impact-instruction
High energy, high engagement, high impact instruction | Ellevation
Watch our product overview to learn how Ellevation can streamline workflows and improve support for ELs in your district Watch video
ellevationeducation.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
A little #MondayMotivation from IRC Specialist Carly Spina with this featured post on energy & engagement from the ELLevation blog: https://ellevationeducation.com/blog/high-energy-high-engagement-high-impact-instruction
Join Chicago CIRR for a Know Your Rights Training for Parents and Schools on Thursday, November 13th at 6pm! This virtual event is for CPS parents and schools to learn about recent immigration updates, how to create an Emergency Family Plan, & more.
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
November 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Join Chicago CIRR for a Know Your Rights Training for Parents and Schools on Thursday, November 13th at 6pm! This virtual event is for CPS parents and schools to learn about recent immigration updates, how to create an Emergency Family Plan, & more.
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
bit.ly/CIRRKYR
Whether you're welcoming SLIFE for the first time or have years of experience with this student population, you will gain new insights, resources and practices to support SLIFE in next week's webinar with Carly Spina! RSVP on the IRC website.
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Whether you're welcoming SLIFE for the first time or have years of experience with this student population, you will gain new insights, resources and practices to support SLIFE in next week's webinar with Carly Spina! RSVP on the IRC website.
In honor of both #FavoriteBookFridays and Native American Heritage Month, a fantastic list of picture books and graphic novels w/Indigenous protagonists:
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In honor of both #FavoriteBookFridays and Native American Heritage Month, a fantastic list of picture books and graphic novels w/Indigenous protagonists:
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/25-picture-books-graphic-novels-and-more-with-indigenous-protagonists-for-young-readers-of-all-ages
There's still time to sign up for our winter Administrator Academies with the Illinois Principals Association! This is an excellent opportunity for administrators to learn about supporting multilingual learners in a convenient, supportive space.
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
There's still time to sign up for our winter Administrator Academies with the Illinois Principals Association! This is an excellent opportunity for administrators to learn about supporting multilingual learners in a convenient, supportive space.
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
Register: https://ilprincipals.org/academies/
Why get your bilingual/ESL endorsement from the IRC & National Louis University?
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
November 6, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Why get your bilingual/ESL endorsement from the IRC & National Louis University?
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
Our endorsement courses are:
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Relevant
- Responsive
- Full of opportunity
Enroll now for Winter 2026.
https://irc.thecenterweb.org/professional-learning/endorsement-courses
Want to start planning your itinerary for Multilingual IL 2025? You're in luck — you can now explore dozens of sessions in the draft program available on the IRC website!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
November 6, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Want to start planning your itinerary for Multilingual IL 2025? You're in luck — you can now explore dozens of sessions in the draft program available on the IRC website!
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
tinyurl.com/MultilingualIL25
All educators and staff members have a role to play in supporting students with limited or interrupted education, also known as SLIFE. In this webinar from Carly Spina, learn how to build capacity so that the entire team is empowered to meet the complex needs of these students. RSVP @ IRC website!
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
All educators and staff members have a role to play in supporting students with limited or interrupted education, also known as SLIFE. In this webinar from Carly Spina, learn how to build capacity so that the entire team is empowered to meet the complex needs of these students. RSVP @ IRC website!
Next week, join the CSEL team for an all-day PD deep dive on building computer science and STEM skills in the science class with your English learner students. No CS experience necessary! RSVP on the IRC website.
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Next week, join the CSEL team for an all-day PD deep dive on building computer science and STEM skills in the science class with your English learner students. No CS experience necessary! RSVP on the IRC website.
For #ToolkitTuesday, sharing an amazing resource from the National Indian Education Association including culturally responsive materials for parents, teachers, students and districts: https://www.niea.org/virtual-resources-for-parents-and-teachers
Culturally-Based Curriculum — National Indian Education Association
Great Lakes Equity Center: COVID-19 Pandemic Resources & SupportThis page features Center resources to support your equity work during the pandemic, and pandemic-specific website resources to help you navigate this new and evolving learning landscape.
www.niea.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
For #ToolkitTuesday, sharing an amazing resource from the National Indian Education Association including culturally responsive materials for parents, teachers, students and districts: https://www.niea.org/virtual-resources-for-parents-and-teachers
Next week, join Carly Spina for a deep dive on the ISBE EL Path to Proficiency (EL PtP) and how to leverage the information to best support your students. AM and PM sessions are available. RSVP on the IRC website!
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Next week, join Carly Spina for a deep dive on the ISBE EL Path to Proficiency (EL PtP) and how to leverage the information to best support your students. AM and PM sessions are available. RSVP on the IRC website!
If your students and families need additional support during the interruption of SNAP/LINK benefits, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has a map of pantries, food distribution sites, hot meals & more in your community:
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
November 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
If your students and families need additional support during the interruption of SNAP/LINK benefits, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has a map of pantries, food distribution sites, hot meals & more in your community:
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b
https://tinyurl.com/mpwrs84b