What Is MTSS and How Can It Support ELLs' Success?

Claudia Rinaldi is Associate Professor and Director of the education program at Lasell College. She focuses her work and research on the implementation of comprehensive school reform efforts using evidenced-based models including Multi-Tier System of Support. Her experience engages educators on how to improve systems and instructional practices for students with reading difficulties who may be at-risk for failure, and those who are English language learners and who may have mild and moderate disabilities. Claudia has authored several peer-reviewed publications and a book for educators called Practical Ways to Engage All Struggling Readers.

Rinaldi served as member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Board of Directors. She is current member of the Advisory Board for the National Center of Learning Disabilities, and the National Center of Intensive Interventions. She is also an advisor for Understood.org, a partner of Colorín Colorado.

Lydia Breiseth is Director of Colorín Colorado, the leading website for educators and families of English language learners nationwide and a partnership project of public broadcasting station WETA (the flagship PBS station in Washington, DC), the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. In this role, she manages content development, multimedia production, partnerships, and outreach. Ms. Breiseth has presented at numerous national conferences and published articles on a variety of educational and literacy blogs on behalf of Colorín Colorado. Her article “Getting to Know ELL Families” appeared in the February 2016 edition of Educational Leadership. She also wrote the foreword to Corwin’s 2017 bestselling publication, Unlocking English Learners’ Potential: Making Content Accessible, a book that originated from a project developed in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers Innovation Fund.