Language Learner Access

Hi! I’m an English learner myself with over 30 years of experience teaching EFL, ESL, and ELL students in Brazil and the United States. I create classroom-tested ESL and ELL resources that I use in my own middle school classroom to help multilingual learners, newcomers, and English learners access grade-level content with visuals, scaffolds, and vocabulary support. These resources are designed for ESL classes, newcomer support, intervention, small groups, and core content classrooms. I also share free teaching tips and vocabulary videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crishoward

My teaching is grounded in the belief that students learn content through language. Why overwhelm students with more work when language is happening across the content areas? I’m always learning, reflecting, and refining my practice to better support multilingual learners, newcomers, and English learners. Visual supports are a big part of my teaching, along with multiple exposures, meaningful practice, chunked information, and frequent checks for understanding. These are the same strategies I use in my classroom and in the ESL and ELL resources I create to help students access rigorous content with more clarity and confidence.

2022 Indiana University Southeast Outstanding Cooperating Teacher Award - related to supporting ELL student-teachers. 2024 Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Building Bridges Award via New Neighbors Center - related to ELL consultancy work in multiple districts across Indiana. 2024-2025 Teacher Appreciation Grant by the Indiana Department of Education - related to English Leaners results in state tests. 2025 Best of Best K-12 ELL Teacher Nomination by INTESOL.

2004 Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Language Arts and Portuguese Language Arts 2009 Master's Degreee in Applied Linguistics focusing on ESL (English as a Second Language) 2017 Reading Intervention Specialist License 2025 Literacy Specialist Endorsement

- 14 years as an English as a Foreign Language teacher in Brazil (1995-2009) - all ages and English proficiency levels - 6 years as an English as a Second Language teacher and coordinator (last 3 years there) in a Family Education program in the US (2010-2016) working with immigrant families of all proficiency levels - 5 years as an English Language Learner teacher in an Elementary School in the US (2016-2021) - all grades and all levels - 4 years as an English Language Learner teacher in an Middle School in the US (2021-2025) - newcomers up to high intermediate level. - 9 years as an Adjunct Professor in the US (2017-present), courses include Applied Linguistics & Practicum, where I coached multiple ENL teachers. - 6 years as an ESL & Family Engagement consultant (2020-present) - 1 year as a Special Populations Instructional Coach (2025-present)