Alabama-Mississippi
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
AMTESOL has a new mailing address! AMTESOL PO Box 360122 Hoover, AL 35236
State of Teaching English
Friday, January 30, 2026
2:00 - 2:45pm
Flowood, Mississippi
State of Teaching English: A Four-Way Feature
These four feature sessions will take place Friday at 2:00pm, immediately after the luncheon keynote. This prime-time slot is an opportunity to build communication and enhance collaboration across Alabama and Mississippi for the teaching of English in these four contexts. Although many other contexts also exist, we invite you to select the featured context that best fits your current teaching situation or a possible future situation. Everyone's presence at one of these sessions will serve to support our conference theme, that of "Harmonies of Language, Culture and Learning: Tuning in to Student Success."
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State of Teaching English to Multilingual Learners in Alabama P-12 Schools (Maria Franco)
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State of Teaching English to Multilingual Learners in Mississippi P-12 Schools (Sandra Elliott)
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State of Teaching English to Adult Learners in Community Programs (Stephanie Lyas)
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State of Teaching English to College and University Students (Lance Noe)​
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Feature Descriptions and Presenters
1. State of Teaching English to Multilingual Learners in Alabama P-12 Schools
Maria Franco, English Language Education and World Language Education Administrator, Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), Montgomery, AL
Maria Franco will provide updates on state guidelines for teaching multilingual learners in Alabama's P-12 schools and outline the availability of technical support and opportunities for professional development. This is a must for P-12 teachers and administrators in Alabama. Meet all 12 regional English learner specialists. Learn what's happening in your state! Bring your questions and share suggestions.
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​Maria Franco is an English Learner Education Administrator at the State Department of Education. With 20 years of experience in education, she is passionate about supporting immigrants. She believes that every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging environment in which to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. In her role as an English Learner Administrator, Maria strives to help students reach their full potential. She collaborates with local and state educators to promote and advocate for a fair system for all students.
2. State of Teaching English to Multilingual Learners in Mississippi P-12 Schools
Sandra Elliott, English Learner Intervention Support Specialist, Office of Elementary Education and Reading, Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Jackson, MS
Sandra Elliott will provide updates on state guidelines for teaching multilingual learners in Mississippi's P-12 schools and outline the availability of technical support and opportunities for professional development. This is a must for P-12 teachers and administrators in Mississippi. Learn what's happening in your state! Bring your questions and share suggestions.
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Sandra Elliott served as a classroom teacher for over 26 years for grades 2 through middle school in Ohio and in Mississippi. She has also served as an educational program facilitator and a building interventionist. She holds teaching endorsements in elementary education, special education, and English as a second language. Throughout her career, Sandra has been dedicated to meeting the needs of English Learners and struggling students. In her current work with the Mississippi Department of Education, she serves as the English Learner Support Specialist and as an Academic Interventionist where she provides technical support and professional development to teachers and administrators throughout the state on best practices, instructional guidelines, intervention strategies, and instructional strategies to support English learners and support for other students in the Multi-Tiered System of Supports. She also serves as co-lead for the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy.
3. State of Teaching English to Adult Learners in Community Programs
Stephanie Lyas, Director of Field and ESOL Programs at The Literacy Council of Central Alabama
Stephanie will provide insights and resources for teaching ESL to adults in community-based programs. Guided by the goal of supporting adult English learners toward improving the quality of their life in the United States — and that of their families, Stephanie will outline the technical support and professional development currently available for instructors of community ESL classes.
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Stephanie Lyas is the Director of Field and ESOL Programs at The Literacy Council of Central Alabama and a ProLiteracy Certified Trainer of Adult Basic Literacy and ESOL practitioners. With nearly 20 years of experience, she brings a practical, community-based perspective to supporting multilingual adult learners. She serves on the board of the Alabama Literary Alliance and participates in several nonprofit and educational advisory committees. Stephanie has presented at local and national conferences and collaborates with colleges and school districts to expand access to essential English communication skills.
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4. State of Teaching English to College & University Students
Lance Noe, ESL Director, Troy University
This ESL/IEP Roundtable brings together college and university ESL professionals to discuss the most pressing issues and emerging trends in the field. Participants will explore current challenges in student recruitment, shifts in program design and delivery, and the evolving role of ESL in higher education. Attendees will share insights, strategies, and questions in a collaborative setting designed to foster innovative approaches and provide stronger support for English language programs.
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​Lance Noe earned a Master's in Education - TESOL from the University of Wollongong, Australia. He is currently ABD for his Ed.D. from the University of Louisiana Monroe. Mr. Noe lived overseas from 2001-2010 in Korea (Sookmyung Woman's University), Japan, Australia, and Turkey. Mr. Noe has been the Director of ESL at Troy University since August 2016. He has taught all grade levels including kindergarten, high school, university, and community college. Mr. Noe has presented at many conferences throughout the world and is very interested in game theory and activity-based learning.