ABOut
Multilingual Education Reform Collective of Indianapolis LLC supports school leaders in the planning and implementation process of Multilingual Learning programming to ensure not only compliance, but equitable instruction for students. So often school systems, structures, and schedules are built for English only speakers and then consider Multilingual Learner supports as supplemental. This puts Multilingual Learners at a disadvantage, minimizes the importance of their diverse academic needs, and disregards the asset that is multilingualism. The goal of Multilingual Reform Collective of Indianapolis is to ensure that Multilingual Learners are at the center of school planning, professional development, and pedagogy so they can achieve their full academic potential.
About MERCIndy
Mission
Multilingual Reform Collective of Indianapolis seeks to ensure educational equity for Multilingual Learners in Indianapolis through building capacity of local school and education leaders, educators, and school staff members.
Vision
Our vision is that all school leaders and educators within Indianapolis are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to ensure educational equity for their Multilingual Learners.
Core Values
Core Values
Collectivism
Equity
Integrity
Transparency & Authenticity
Core Values
Collectivism
Equity
Integrity
Transparency & Authenticity
We believe that it will take a network of dedicated individuals to breakdown school-based structures and systems designed to center English and rebuild those centered on the asset that is multilingualism.
We believe educational equity for Multilingual Learners means access to rich and rigorous curriculum throughout the entire school day.
We believe educational equity for Multilingual Learners means learning in an environment that views them as an asset and privileges their language and funds of knowledge.
The needs of Multilingual Learners are our number one priority. We will not waiver on what we know is ethically and morally just for Multilingual Learners in Indianapolis.
We believe that our transparency and authenticity when working with educators is key in maintaining our core value of integrity.
TEAM
ALLISON SEGARRA HANSEN FOUNDER & CEO
Allison is an English as a Foreign Language (EFL)/English as a Second Language (ESL) certified teacher and teacher trainer with sixteen years of experience in education. She has served as an English Learner (EL) teacher, EL Director, EL consultant, and professor of English as a New Language (ENL) courses. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Saint Joseph’s College and an M.S. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education from Indiana University. She is currently enrolled in the Urban Education Studies Ph.D. program at IUPUI. In addition to consulting, Allison is an Assistant Professor of Education at Marian University.
Carlota Holder
Co-founder & lead consultant
Currently the Director of Academic Language for the Neighborhood Charter Network. Previously Carlota served as an EL teacher, for both Kindezi and Enlace, and the EL Coordinator for Enlace. Carlota has over a decade of experience working with language learners. She has also experienced the challenges of being an English language learner student in rural Indiana. Her grade level experiences range from kindergarten to 8th grade with both English language and Spanish instruction. She brings instructional experience in co-teaching and SIOP model. As the Director of Academic Language her goal is to create a learning environment where all students are viewed as language learners in the academic setting and to provide an equitable education for all students regardless of language, cultural background, and/or socioeconomic status.
Services to Support Academic Achievement of Multilingual Learners
- Coach, train, and support EL Teachers of Record and/or coordinators
- Engage school teams in collaborative needs assessments
- Assist in data-driven, strategic program planning process
- Conduct quarterly implementation support visits
- Provide compliance assistance (local and state)
- Deliver professional development on a variety of Multilingual Learner related topics and/or strategies
PARTNERS
KIND WORDS
-ANNA STEPHENS, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES AT VICTORY COLLEGE PREP
“After our ELL program evaluation, I reached out to Allison to get some guidance on how to revamp the program. Allison promptly came to my school and spent several hours with me one on one to plan a new vision for our ELL program. She didn't push her agenda on me but helped me to ask the right questions about what is best for kids, what our school could realistically support, and what the state requires and recommends. She has also sent us many resources as well as responded to further questions via email. Allison was extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and friendly through the process. She helped us cast a new vision that will help us better serve our ELL students for years to come.”
