On behalf of the Board of Directors, Delegate Assembly, and Executive Director, it is my pleasure to invite you to join us for this year’s conference, Standing Up and Pushing Back: Ensuring Bilingual Education for Generations to Come. 

At a time when bilingual education continues to face political, social, and policy challenges, our theme serves as both a rallying call and a commitment to action. For more than fifty years, educators, families, students, researchers, and community advocates have stood up in support of multilingual learners and pushed back against barriers that limit opportunity, access, and equity. Today, that responsibility belongs to all of us.

This year’s conference brings together leading voices in bilingual education, educational leadership, advocacy, research, special education, family engagement, and instructional excellence to explore innovative practices and address the critical issues shaping our field. Through inspiring keynote presentations, engaging workshops, leadership forums, advocacy-focused sessions, and opportunities for collaboration, participants will strengthen their knowledge, expand their professional networks, and gain practical strategies to support multilingual learners and their families.

As we look to the future, we recognize that the protection and expansion of bilingual education requires collective courage, perseverance, and partnership.

Together, we must continue advocating for policies that honor linguistic and cultural diversity, prepare future educators and leaders, strengthen family and community partnerships, and ensure equitable opportunities for every multilingual learner.

This year’s conference will also feature the presentation of NYSABE’s inaugural student scholarships, a historic milestone that reflects our commitment to investing in the next generation of multilingual leaders, advocates, educators, and changemakers.

We invite you to join us as we learn, lead, advocate, and collaborate in support of bilingual education for generations to come.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this inspiring experience together.

In partnership,

Eliezer Hernández, EdD
President, NYSABE