Growing Bilingual Writers:
Research-Driven Writing Instruction That Builds Purpose, Voice, and Biliteracy
January 13th, 2026 event
Presented by Shauna Williams
Join us for an engaging session for dual language educators focused on strengthening K–5 writing instruction with senior national consultant Shauna Williams​.
We’ll examine how research-driven practices and the gradual release model build confident, independent writers in both program languages.
​​In this session, participants will:
• Explore how intentional writing lessons support developing bilingual writers.
• Analyze the writing lesson sequence and its alignment to standards.
• Examine year-long writing plans for coherence across grades and program languages.
Session agenda includes:
• Connecting to what we know
• Writing research
• Understanding the writing progression
• Building the foundation for writing
• Reading-writing connections
• Types of writing tasks
• Benchmark writing lesson
• Implementation considerations
• Developmental stages of writers
• Writing across the standards
DATE & TIME:
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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
Location: Bolingbrook, Illinois
235 Remington Blvd, Suite A, Bolingbrook, IL 60440​​​​
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Agenda​
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8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration​
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Morning Session
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Session​
3:30 p.m. - beyond Wrap Up
Please be sure to bring writing samples from several students across grade levels.
Together, we’ll analyze the full arc of writing instruction—from year-long planning to daily decisions—and connect each part of the writing lesson to Illinois standards, developmental writing progressions, and the needs of bilingual learners.
​GUEST SPEAKER:
Shauna Williams. is a seasoned educational consultant with extensive experience in sales, marketing, and training in literacy and curriculum development. Currently serving as a National Literacy Consultant at Benchmark Education Company since January 2015, Shauna has previously held significant roles at Cambium Learning Group, Voyager, CompassLearning, New Century Education Corporation, Computer Curriculum Corporation, and Silver Burdett Ginn. Notable achievements include driving substantial sales growth across multiple states, influencing educational standards through workshops and presentations, and developing curriculum resources that enhance student achievement. Educational background includes advanced studies in Bilingual Education at Texas Southern University and degrees in Finance and Spanish from the University of Houston and University of Houston-Downtown.​
Benchmark Education Company is committed to empowering students through literacy mastery. They aim to provide high-quality literacy resources aligned with current research, emphasizing quick responses and open communication to support educators and guide students. The company creates inclusive materials, collaborates with schools for customized professional development, and works in unison with educators to inspire lifelong success through literacy.