Dr. Ali Yaylali is an Assistant Professor of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership at Eastern Kentucky University. With a Ph.D. in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona, his research and teaching interests include multilingual writing, educational linguistics, genre and corpus pedagogy, and transformative teacher education. His scholarship has been published in leading academic journals, and he actively contributes to professional organizations, serving as a journal reviewer and TESOL committee member.

Catalina Lugo is an expert bilingual teacher who has taught it all: primary, secondary and post-secondary grade levels in Mexico as well as in the United States. In the United States, in addition to being a bilingual teacher, she has also been an ESL state coordinator for a teacher program in Mexico. She has also been a dyslexia specialist, a director of multilingual programs, and a professional development provider for in-service teachers in the United States. At the post-secondary level, she has been an adjunct professor and is currently a lecturer in bilingual education for the University of Houston-Downtown. Her recent book is titled, Español para maestros bilingües en Texas, or, Spanish for bilingual teachers in Texas. 

Dr. Maria Bhattacharjee earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Bilingual Early Childhood Education from the University of Houston in 1995. She’s spent 27 years at the University of Houston-Downtown as an Associate Professor in the Urban Education Department, teaching courses in bilingual education and literacy instruction. Before that, she was a bilingual teacher in the Houston Independent School District.

Her research focuses on early literacy, curriculum development, and parental involvement, aiming to bridge connections between urban schools and UHD. She is the Director of the UHD Digital Bilingual Library, which provides Spanish-English digital storybooks for children and families. In 2023, she co-led a $2.5 million grant project to expand the e-library, supporting literacy and technology for the digital job market.

Dr. Verónica Oguilve completed her Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) program, with an emphasis in Teaching, Learning & Sociocultural Studies (TLS) and technology. She specializes in second language acquisition, focusing on interaction in both in-person and online learning environments. Her research also explores teaching and learning in digital literacy processes and equity. Dr. Oguilve has worked with the SLAT program, the College of Education at the University of Arizona, K-12 schools, and community organizations in Tucson. Currently, she is a teacher trainer working at Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN) in Costa Rica, where she teaches in both the Mechatronics major and the English as a Foreign Language major, and at the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), also in Costa Rica,  in the Department of Methodology and Assessment for English Language Teaching.

Dr. Jennifer Dalzell is a dynamic educator, researcher, and school leader with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles within educational and community organizations. She has also taught extensively in community colleges and adult public charter schools. Throughout her career, she has held several key leadership positions, including being a founder and manager of a bilingual teaching assistant program, professional development specialist, and director of adult education. She has mentored numerous teachers (including myself) and has played a pivotal role in developing a variety of adult education programs. Besides being so experienced, she also holds a doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh. Currently, she serves as the Chief Academic Officer at a charter school in Washington, DC, specializing in adult literacy education.

Dr. Castek is Professor of Literacy, Technology, Bi & multilingual Learners & STEM Education at the University of Arizona. She is also a part of the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) program at the University of Arizona. A former teacher and literacy specialist, Dr. Castek has a few decades of experience working to support students’ reading and literacy development in early and middle grades.  Before beginning her journey in higher ed, she taught Reading Recovery, led family literacy programs, and worked with English language learners and community literacy programs in the Bay Area of California. 

Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Arizona, Jill was the Director of the Literacy, Language, and Technology research group at Portland State University. 

Maryam is an English language teacher in Dubai. As an EAL and Inclusion Specialist, she focuses on linguistic acquisition and coordinates fast track EAL strategies for diverse learners. She supports students with dyslexia and additional learning needs, ensuring an inclusive environment that promotes engagement. She has expertise in multi-sensory teaching which allows her to create differentiated lessons tailored to individual strengths.

Dr. Rodieck has been a language educator for almost 25 years now. She holds bachelors of arts and masters of arts degrees in English and a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition and the teaching of English. Quite impressively, she also holds a degree in legal studies, specializing in juvenile law. 

Dr. Rodiek currently teaches freshman English to diverse student groups at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. She also holds writing workshops for incarcerated children and is involved in teacher education for middle and high school teachers through the Southern Arizona Writing Fellowship.