Criteria for Membership:

Nominees must demonstrate sustained and transformative impact in multilingual education, with a minimum of 20 years of active involvement in the field. Candidates should be widely respected by their peers and recognized for significant contributions that advance multilingual learners, educators, and systems of support. Contributions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Authorship of influential publications or research related to multilingual education, language development, or culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy.
  • Leadership roles in organizations, institutions, or initiatives that promote multilingual learning and equitable access.
  • Mentorship and preparation of future leaders, including teacher preparation, policy guidance, or field-building efforts.

Nominees may be living or deceased and must exemplify excellence, integrity, and long-standing dedication to multilingual learners and the educators who serve them.

Process:

Each year, nominating organizations associated with the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame admit nominations of new candidates for consideration. The nomination process includes a review by a committee of current members, followed by a vote to determine inductees. Inductions are celebrated annually at a dedicated event where the achievements of new members are recognized and shared with the broader educational community.

Nominating Organizations

The Multilingual Education Hall of Fame is a collaborative initiative, inviting leading organizations in the field of multilingual education to take part in its stewardship. Inaugural Nominating Organizations include:

  • NABE
  • CABE
  • TABE
  • NYABE
  • WIDA
  • TESOL
  • NAELPA
  • NCEL
  • Dual Language of New Mexico
  • Californians Together
  • Sanibel
  • ALAS
  • TALAS
  • CALAS
  • WALAS

Nomination and Selection Process

The Hall of Fame seeks to honor pioneers and trailblazers who have made significant contributions to multilingual education. The selection process includes:

  1. Nominations: Each participating organization has the opportunity to nominate outstanding individuals for consideration.
  2. Selection: All hall of fame inductees have the opportunity to vote on nominees to select the next annual cohort of inductees.

Honoring Inductees

Inductees into the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame will be celebrated through:

  • Hall of Fame Jacket: A visible mark of honor and belonging
  • Hall of Fame Medal: A symbol of their impact on the field.
  • Digital Media Spotlight: Exclusive interviews highlighting their contributions.
  • Biographical Feature: A dedicated write-up on the Hall of Fame website.
  • In-Person Recognition: Honorees will be celebrated at an annual conference hosted by a committee member organization, either through a fixed venue or a rotating schedule.

Purpose and Impact

By honoring individuals whose work has shaped multilingual education across research, policy, and practice, the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame:

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  • Preserves the history and evolution of the field
  • Elevates models of excellence and leadership
  • Inspires future generations of educators and advocates
  • Strengthens collaboration across organizations and sectors

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The Hall of Fame stands as both a recognition of legacy and a call forward — celebrating those who built the path while encouraging others to continue advancing multilingual opportunity for all learners.

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