This video is available as a NAESPA membership benefit or for a limited time as a conference attendee.
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ESL Certification: Cultivating Educator Communities to Serve Multilingual Learners
This session highlights how Reading School District (PA), in partnership with WestEd, created a district-run ESL certification program that centers educator identity, evidence-based practice, and community engagement to better serve multilingual learners. In response to the national ESL teacher shortage, the district launched a job-embedded, graduate-level pathway aligned with PDE competencies to grow talent from within. Presenters will share how the program was designed, implemented, and refined over three cohorts, offering replicable structures, actionable strategies, and key lessons. This work has direct relevance for districts looking to address educator shortages, improve outcomes for ELs, and strengthen pipelines through Title I, Title II, and Title III supports.
This talk was presented at:
2026 National ESEA Conference
February 2026
in
Denver, CO
For more information:
Angel Zimmerman (zimmerma@readingsd.org)Leslie Hamburger (lhambur@west.org)
Speakers
Angel Zimmerman
Angel Zimmerman is the Director of the English as a Second Language Program at the Reading School District in Reading, Pennsylvania. She has worked in the RSD for 28 years serving as a first grade teacher, instructional coach, elementary principal, middle school assistant principal and ESL supervisor. The Reading School District ESL program serves over 5,600 English learners which make up 34% of the district enrollment.
Wanda Gonzalez-Crespo
Wanda González-Crespo, a Reading, PA native, has over 26 years of experience in urban education, specializing in English learners. She has led ESL programs, expanded services for 4,500+ ELs, and now serves as Assistant Superintendent for School Improvement in Reading SD.
Leslie Hamburger
Leslie Hamburger is Vice President, K-12 Systems at West Ed where she leads a portfolio of K–12 research, development, technical assistance, and professional learning teams focused on improving K-12 education systems to achieve equitable outcomes for diverse student populations.
ESEA Network
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
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About Us
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (formerly the National Title I Association) is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect with Us
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