BSD Welcomes Statewide Educators, Showcases Multilingualism for All

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Bellevue School District proudly welcomed district leaders and educators from across Washington state ahead of the Washington Association for Bilingual Education (WABE) Conference.   

Dr. Melisa Macias, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, and Eric Shelton, Director of Multilingual Programs (MLL), presented an overview of the language program models offered in our district. MLL Curriculum Developer, Jesse Deshayes, hosted a panel where high school students talked about their experiences in the Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language Programs. The visitors shared that the student panel was the highlight of their day. Many were deeply moved — even brought to tears — by the powerful and heartfelt stories students shared. Their voices beautifully captured the strong sense of belonging and community they’ve found through participation in dual language programs.  

Visitors had the opportunity to learn about BSD's robust Dual and Bilingual programs, with a morning visit to Jing Mei Elementary to observe the Mandarin Dual Language program in action. In the afternoon, guests chose to explore either the Arabic and Hindi programs at Ardmore Elementary or the Spanish Dual Language program at Highland Middle School.  

The day was filled with engaging discussions, meaningful connections, and overwhelmingly positive feedback. Bellevue continues to lead the way in multilingual education, serving as a model for districts statewide.