National Association for Bilingual Education 

Connecting Bilingual Literacy, Creativity & Social-Emotional Learning

📅 February 17–19
📍 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 
Lake Buena Vista, Florida

More Than 50 Years Advocating for Bilingual Education

Established in 1975, the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) is a nationally recognized professional organization dedicated to advancing educational equity, academic excellence, and opportunities for bilingual and multilingual learners.

For more than five decades, NABE has advocated for bilingual education, the preservation of home languages, and the recognition of linguistic and cultural diversity. Through educational conferences, research, professional development, and advocacy, the organization connects educators, researchers, school leaders, families, and policymakers working to strengthen bilingual and dual-language education.

NABE will celebrate its 56th Annual International Bilingual Education Conference, bringing educational professionals together to exchange ideas, explore innovative teaching approaches, and advance opportunities for multilingual learners.

Our Participation at NABE

We are honored to announce that Mahiette Tarrago, M.F.A., creator of Ahvian The Creative™ Bilingual Series, has been selected to present an educational session and a poster at NABE Annual Conference.

Joining her as co-presenters are Laura Quiñones, Principal of Anderson Elementary School in Conroe Independent School District, Texas, and Karelia Carralero Corella, BCBA, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Together, they bring complementary perspectives in educational design, school leadership, and applied behavior analysis to a shared commitment to bilingual literacy, inclusive education, and social-emotional learning (SEL).

Their presentations explore how bilingual storytelling, creativity, multisensory activities, and emotional connections can help educators create more meaningful learning experiences for diverse learners.

For Ahvian The Creative™, participating in NABE represents an important opportunity to contribute to the national conversation about bilingual education—sharing approaches that connect language development, creativity, emotional awareness, and the needs of the whole child.

Because bilingual education is more than learning two languages. It is about helping children communicate, belong, and recognize their language and cultural identity as strengths.

Featured NABE Presentations

SESSION PRESENTATION

Playful Bilingual Storytelling for Language Development and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for Diverse Learners

Connecting Language, Creativity & Emotional Growth

How can storytelling become more than a reading activity?

This session explores practical ways to integrate bilingual storytelling, creative expression, hands-on learning, and social-emotional development into meaningful educational experiences.

Drawing from the Ahvian The Creative™ educational approach, the presentation examines how stories and interactive activities can encourage language development, emotional awareness, communication, and participation among diverse learners.

What Participants Will Explore

📖 Bilingual Storytelling — Supporting vocabulary, comprehension, and meaningful communication.

💗 Social-Emotional Learning — Encouraging emotional awareness, expression, and empathy.

🎨 Creative Expression — Connecting language with imagination, drawing, and hands-on activities.

🧩 Multisensory Engagement — Using varied learning experiences to encourage participation.

💬 Language Development — Creating opportunities for communication in English and Spanish.

🤝 Inclusive Learning — Adapting activities to different learning strengths and needs.

Session Takeaway

Practical, adaptable strategies for connecting bilingual storytelling, creativity, and social-emotional learning across classrooms and other educational environments.

POSTER PRESENTATION

A Multisensory Framework for Biliteracy, Creativity, and SEL: Connecting Multiple Ways of Learning

Children experience language through more than reading and listening. They also learn through movement, visual exploration, touch, creativity, social interaction, and meaningful emotional connections.

This poster introduces a connected educational framework that brings together bilingual literacy, creative participation, multisensory engagement, and social-emotional learning.

The framework illustrates how complementary learning experiences can help educators create opportunities for children to explore language, express ideas, recognize emotions, and participate in meaningful learning activities.

Framework Connections

🌐 Biliteracy Development — Building meaningful connections between English and Spanish.

📚 Storytelling & Comprehension — Connecting stories with vocabulary and communication.

🎨 Creativity — Encouraging imagination, drawing, building, and self-expression.

🧩 Multisensory Learning — Integrating visual, tactile, movement-based, and interactive experiences.

💗 Emotional Awareness — Connecting feelings with stories, communication, and social interaction.

🤝 Inclusive Participation — Creating flexible experiences responsive to diverse learners.

Poster Takeaway

A connected framework for integrating bilingual literacy, creativity, and social-emotional learning through flexible, multisensory educational experiences.

A Resource for Diverse Learning Communities

Our Bilingual Series offers educational resources that can complement existing programs and professional practices across different settings.

Our bilingual learning tools support professionals and families working in:

🏫 Schools, Districts & Elementary Classrooms

🌐 Bilingual, Dual-Language & Immersion Programs

🍎 Early Childhood Education

🧩 Special Education & Inclusive Learning Settings

🤝 ABA Centers & Behavior Support Services

💬 Occupational & Speech Therapy Settings

💗 Social Work, Counseling & Child Development

📚 Libraries & Literacy Initiatives

🏡 Homeschool & Family Learning Environments

By connecting storytelling, creativity, and emotional awareness, educational experiences can become more engaging, adaptable, and meaningful.

Explore Our Bilingual Educational Programs

Discover How Literacy, Creativity & SEL Connect

Our educational programs are designed to complement existing learning environments through flexible activities, bilingual resources, and multisensory experiences.

Explore the Bilingual Literacy Program

Discover the educational methodology, connected learning pathways, and implementation resources for schools and educational organizations.

Explore Our SEL Educational Resources

Learn more about our approaches to emotional awareness, communication, creativity, and hands-on learning.

Explore Our Bilingual Educational Catalog

Discover bilingual children’s books, educational games, creative activities, and sensory learning resources.

Celebrating Bilingual Education Together

We are honored to contribute to NABE 2027 and join educators, school leaders, researchers, and advocates who share a commitment to strengthening bilingual education.

Our participation is an opportunity to exchange ideas, build professional connections, and continue exploring how language, creativity, emotional development, and inclusive practices can work together to support children.

Bilingual Hearts. Creative Minds. Every Child Matters.

Mahiette Tarrago, M.F.A.
Creator of Ahvian The Creative™
Author • Speaker • Educator

Visit the Official NABE Conference Website