Real Learning in a Virtual Space
At WAESOL, we want to encourage you in your continued efforts to support your students and develop as teaching professionals. To this end, we were honored to launch WAESOL Online in April 2020, attracting a great many participants. We continue this new tradition now.
Net proceeds of WAESOL Online go toward supporting WAESOL Grants, Awards, and Conference Scholarships. WAESOL is a registered WA non profit/charity and an IRS 501(c)3 .
WAESOL Online is excited to be back in 2026. There are several more in the works for the 26-27 school year.
Special Pricing in May and June: Each 2-hour training is only $15 for WAESOL members, $25 for non-members. Be sure to become a WAESOL member prior to registering to ensure member pricing. All sessions qualify for WA State clock hours ($3/hour).
If you are interested in providing a two-hour online training, please contact joan@waesol.org .
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Family Engagement as a Relational, Cultural, Ethical and Instructional Work
with Dr. Sonia Spar
- Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Time: 9:30am – 11:30am Pacific Time
- Live Online
This interactive 2-hour online workshop aims to equip Pre-k to Second Grade teachers and elementary school administrators with practical strategies to engage multilingual families as co-creators of knowledge, which will enrich multilingual students’ learning experience. Participants will explore Funds of Knowledge and Funds of Identity, recognize and challenge raciolinguistic bias and deficit thinking, and practice deep listening to understand and respond to family experiences with respect and care. By connecting family strengths to classroom practices, school routines, and school-wide initiatives, participants will learn how to foster inclusive, culturally responsive environments that support multilingual learners’ engagement, identity development, and multimodal language acquisition skills for early academic success.
This professional development aligns with CRT standards by centering students’ identities, languages, and family voices, and by challenging practices that marginalize multilingual learners and their families. It also aligns with TPEP criteria related to family engagement, culturally responsive practice, equitable learning environments, and professional reflection.
Objectives:
- Introduce educators and administrators to key concepts such as Funds of Knowledge, Funds of Identity, translanguaging, raciolinguistics, and how these inform culturally sustaining, relationship-centered practices.
- Support participants in identifying and interrupting deficit thinking, replacing it with asset-based approaches that honor students’ and families’ strengths.
- Provide practical tools and strategies for designing respectful, actionable family engagement routines that position multilingual families as co-educators, not just participants.
Presenter: Sonia Spar, Ed.D.
Sonia Spar, Ed.D. is a scholar-practitioner and community engagement leader with extensive experience supporting multilingual learners, migrant families, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Her work focuses on strengthening family-school partnerships, honoring families’ Funds of Knowledge and Funds of Identity, and helping educators and institutions create more equitable, relationship-centered practices. Sonia’s research centers on family engagement, culturally sustaining education, translanguaging/Trauma informed practices, and empowering multilingual families as co-educators in children’s learning.
Educational Background:
- University of Massachusetts, Ed.D. Leadership in Schooling, 2026
- City University of New York (CUNY), Graduate School and the Public Science Project: 2025 Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR) Summer Institute.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County – Master Gardener (2020-2021)
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel – Islamic and Middle Eastern Affairs — M.A., 2003
- Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia – Negotiation and International Affairs – Specialist (G.D.), 2000
- Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia – Modern Languages (Spanish, English, French and German), Minors in Political Science & History – B.A., 1995
For May and June: Each 2-hour workshop is $15 for WAESOL members, $25 for non-members. Be sure to become a WAESOL member prior to registering to ensure member pricing. All sessions qualify for WA State clock hours ($3/hour).
If you are interested in providing an on-line training through WAESOL Online, please contact joan@waesol.org with your ideas for a 2-hour online training.