Professional Presentations

Invited Presentations and Panels

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Social-emotional learning for English teacher educators and English teachers. Invited presentation for Childhood Education International, May, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., (2023). Welcoming Ukrainian communities and students in Romania: Voices and experiences from the field. Invited panelist for the panel titled: The education of Ukraine and Ukrainian people in times of war. Florida International University, March, 2023.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Social-emotional learning in English language teaching: Reporting on the effects of teacher preparation and classroom practices. Invited presentation at TESOL International Association, March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). The future is here: The role of emotions, identity, and well-being in language teaching and learning. Plenary Lecture at the 27th TESOL Arabia International Conference & Exhibition in Dubai, March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Positive psychology and social-emotional learning in language teacher professional development. Invited presentation at the 27th TESOL Arabia International Conference & Exhibition in Dubai, March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). ESL teacher mental health and well-being. Invited panelist at the 27th TESOL Arabia International Conference & Exhibition in Dubai, March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Martínez-Alba, G., & (2023). Social-emotional learning: Activity types and adaptation to TESOL classes. Invited workshop presentation for World Learning, Washington D.C., March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Social-emotional learning and well-being in language teaching and learning. Plenary lecture at the 8th Scientific and Didactic Conference from The Foreign Language Teaching Center at the University of Silesia, March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). We have changed, and that is ok! Social-emotional learning perspectives for post-pandemic English language teachers and learners. Plenary keynote at 11th Cultural Inglesa Colloquium: National Teachers’ Conference 2023 in Brazil (Virtual), February, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Language teacher identity and well-being. Keynote presentation at the 8th International Conference of the Linguistics Association of Pakistan (ICLAP) at the University of Punjab, December, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Kałdonek-Crnjaković, A. (2022). Emotions and feelings and language learning and teaching. Noc Anglistów at the University of Warsaw. November, 2022, Warsaw, Poland.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Advocacy for language teacher associations. Invited panelist for the Panel Discussion: Advocacy in the English Language Teaching Profession at the 49th Annual Puerto Rico TESOL Convention, November, 2022, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Language and organizational well-being. Keynote Speech at the III International Conference on Applied Psychology and Business Management, October, 2022, Antalya, Turkey.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month: Our impact in TESOL. Invited panelist for international event celebrating TESOL leaders from around the world. October, 2022.

Fagan, D. S., Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Lyons, S. (2022). Developing affiliate handbooks for “everything TESOL” in your region and making it an open educational resource. Invited presentation for the Affiliate Network Professional Council (ANPC) at TESOL International Association, October, 2022.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Social-emotional for multilingual learners: Working together to achieve success. Keynote Speech for ELEVATE Conference at Towson University, September, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Supporting Indigenous multilingual learners: Exploring issues of vulnerability, social equity, and double standard. Invited presentation for the Reading and Vocabulary Interest Section (RVIS) at TESOL International Association, September, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Reframing literacies through the eyes of refugees and SLIFE. Invited panelist at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), June, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Educating Ukrainian refugees in Poland: Lessons for the U.S. Invited organizer, moderator, and panelist for the California TESOL (CATESOL)’ Refugee Concerns Interest Group, June, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Martínez-Alba, G. (2022). Social-emotional learning for multilingual learners: Fostering growth. Invited speaker for the U.S. Department of State’s American English Live: Online Teacher Professional Developments Events, May, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Martínez-Alba, G. (2022). Social-emotional learning in English language teaching: Considerations for language teachers and teacher educators. Invited speaker at the 2022 Korea TESOL Conference, May, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Trinh, E. T. (2022). English and students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE): A special conversation on how to support queer SLIFE youth in school. Invited Speaker for the Language and Literacy Education Graduate Organization (LLEGO)’s 2022 Spring Book Talk Series, April, 2022.

Trinh, E. T., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Critical storytelling: Multilingual immigrants in the United States. Invited Speaker for the Language and Literacy Education Graduate Organization (LLEGO)’s 2022 Spring Book Talk Series, April, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Diasporic Indigenous communities from Latin America in the United States. Invited Speaker at the Professional Learning Community (PLC) Culture and Diversity, April, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Autoethnography as a qualitative method of (self)research: What is it, why consider it, and how to do it. Invited Guest Speaker at the 2022 Vietnamese Humanities & Social Sciences Association Symposium, March, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Teacher well-being around the world: Emerging findings and pathways forward. In panel: Teacher wellness–Global perspectives. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Conference, March, 2022.

Fagan, D. S., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Utilizing the Maryland TESOL Handbook for educators of English learners for adult ESL literacy. Invited Guest Speaker at the 2022 Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) Professional Development Conference, March, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Dis/ability as a social responsibility in ELT. In panel: From responsibility to practice: Dis/ability and equity in ELT. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Emotions matter: Learner’s psychology and social-emotional learning. Invited presentation for Teacher Development Webinars, January, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Supporting diasporic Indigenous students’ success in U.S. schools. Invited presentation for New York City Department of Education, January, 2022.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Lyons, S. (2021). The Maryland TESOL handbook for educators of English learners. Invited presentation for Maryland TESOL Association, November, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Learner’s psychology in second language acquisition. Invited lecture at Leading University, Bangladesh. Online, October, 2021.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning for long-term English learners. Keynote Book Tour Speech for Baltimore City Public Schools. Online, August, 2021. 

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning in the secondary English language classroom. Keynote Book Tour Speech for Anne Arundel County Secondary Public Schools. Online, August, 2021. 

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning in the elementary English language classroom. Keynote Book Tour Speech for Anne Arundel County Elementary Public Schools. Online, August, 2021. 

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning in the English language classroom: Fostering growth, self-care, and independence. Keynote Book Tour Speech for Baltimore County Public Schools. Online, August, 2021. 

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning in English language teaching: What, why, and how. Invited Guest Speaker at TESOL ELevate. Online, July, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Dwelling in the third space: Indigenous Maya and Kichwa students in U.S. K-12 and higher education classrooms. Invited Speaker at Intercultural Communication Interest Section 2021 Webinar Series. Online, July, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Latinx students with limited or interrupted formal education: Construyendo caminos al andar. Invited Speaker at the Inaugural Conference on Emerging Hispanic-Serving School Districts. Florida International University, June, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). My story of decolonization: Lessons learned from Indigenous students from Latin America. Invited Speaker for the Story Forum at Fairfax County Public Schools, May, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Ideas for the first and second language education of English Learners. Invited Speaker in the Learning for Life Summit, April, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Languages, colonization, and residual effects: A brief overview. Invited Speaker in panel: Weaponizing Language: Making Counternarratives the New Narratives for the Marginalized. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2021.

Trinh, E., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). From self-researching to classroom transformation: Insightful perspectives in TESOL. Panel Moderators. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2021.

Aker, M., Daniel, L., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Building a future in classrooms today: The promise of problem-based service-learning and SLIFE. Invited presentation for Concordia University Chicago (CUC)’s First Mondays Research Series, March, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2020). Honoring the Past: MDTESOL highlights over the last 40 years! Invited panelist for Maryland TESOL Association, November, 2020.

Pentón Herrera, L. J, Custodio, B., & O’Loughlin, J. (2020). Students with limited or interrupted formal education: What we have learned and next steps. Invited presentation for Maryland TESOL Association, November, 2020.

Pentón Herrera, L. J, Aker, M., & Daniel, L. R. (2020). Incorporating problem-based service-learning in your 21st-century classroom. Webinar presentation for Kappa Delta Pi Association, June, 2020.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2020). Restorative circles with Mayan Latinx ELs. In panel: “Restorative practices for English learners at-risk”. Webinar presentation for the Maryland TESOL Association, March, 2020.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2020). The increasing role of TESOL affiliates as advocacy agents. Webinar presentation for the TESOL International Association’s Affiliate Network Professional Council (ANPC) webinar series, February, 2020.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Documenting your success to inspire others. Inspirational presentation at Bowie High School’s 2019 ESOL Family Night, December, 2019, Bowie, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Empowering affiliate collaborations through leadership: Sharing best practices from MDTESOL. Invited panelist at the TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2019, Atlanta, GA.

Konkel, M., Jenner, E., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Voice and language: Mayan students and the quest for empowerment. Invited speakers at Urban Teaching Matters Conference and Teaching the World Forum, March, 2019, New Brunswick, NJ.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). Becoming an ESOL Teacher. Guest speaker for the Early Childhood Education Technical Program at Laurel High School, December, 2018, Laurel, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). Advocacy in TESOL. Opening speech at Maryland TESOL’s 38^th Annual Fall Conference, November, 2018, Baltimore, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). Learning English as a third language: The language and literacy experiences of adolescent immigrant Ixil students in the United States. Invited presenter at Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER) Conference, November, 2018, Louisville, KY.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). La evaluación para profesores de idiomas: Una mirada a la función de la evaluación en las clases de inglés. Invited speaker at Universidad de Oriente, September, 2018, El Salvador.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). Evolution of the Spanish language education in the United States: Past, Present and Future. National Museum of Language – Amelia C. Murdoch Speaker Series, April, 2018, Adelphi, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2017). The life and works of Mariano Cubí y Soler: A distinguished Spanish linguist in the 1800s. Invited lecture at the Maryland Historical Society, April, 2017, Baltimore, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2016). Teaching Literacy to close the ESL students’ language gap. Invited presentation at the Prince George County Public Schools – 1^st Year ESL Teachers Workshop, March, 2016, Upper Marlboro, MD.

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Professional Presentations at Conferences

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Humanity and education: Refugee children know and understand. Panelist for the Panel Discussion: Toward a humanizing and equitable discourse with refugee newcomers: Resisting the double standard. Presented at American Educational Research Association (AERA), April, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Storytelling matters: Healing and peacebuilding in applied linguistics. Co-organizer and panelist of the colloquium. American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Portland, OR, USA

Martínez-Alba, G., Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Trinh, E. (2023). Teacher and student wellness in applied linguistics: Planning for actions, not reactions. Roundtable discussion. American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Portland, OR, USA.

Mansouri, B., Pentón Herrera, L. J., Behzadpoor, F., & Nazari, M. (2023, March). Navigating boundaries within and beyond classrooms: Exploring Iranian EFL teachers’ agency at a (neo)nationalist crossroad. Paper presentation. American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Conference, Portland, OR, USA.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Advocacy, academic, and social-emotional considerations for SLIFE in K-12 settings. Panel organizer and panelist. Presented at TESOL International Association, March, 2023.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Social-emotional learning and well-being in teacher education: Why and how?. Presented at TESOL International Association, March, 2023.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., Trinh, E., & Yazan, B. (2023). Exploring doctoral students’ identities in TESOL through autoethnographic works. Panel co-organizer (with Ethan Trinh and Bedrettin Yazan) and panelist. Presented at TESOL International Association, March, 2023.

Gómez Portillo, M. J., Trinh, E. T., Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2023). Spilling the tea: Stories of addressing racism in ESOL classrooms. Presented at TESOL International Association, March, 2023.

Becker, A., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Higher education institutions as gatekeepers of language teachers’ complex identities: Insights from a multi-country study. 1^st International Humanities, Society, and Identity Conference, December, 2022, Warsaw, Poland.

Kałdonek-Crnjaković, A., Fridrikh, A., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Experiences of Ukrainian refugee students, their parents/care-takers, and educational institutions in Poland: Communicating in the multilingual setting. Multilingual Education in Linguistically Diverse Contexts (MELDC) 2022 Conference, September, 2022, Tirana, Albania.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Exploring the effects of social-emotional learning in a ninth-grade newcomer classroom: Emerging findings from a qualitative case study. International Association for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Learner Autonomy Special Interest Section (SIG) Pre-Conference, May, 2022, Belfast, United Kingdom.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). “Me gustaría que habláramos también de mi cultura”: A yearlong case study of two Maya English learners. In Colloquium Panel entitled Immigration and Indigenous Languages. Presented at the Society for Linguistic Anthropology, April, 2022, Boulder, CO.

Fagan, D. S., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Supporting English learners with disabilities: Considerations for state/local education authorities. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2022, Pittsburgh, PA.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2022). Social-emotional learning (SEL) for multilingual learners: What, why, and how? Association of Teacher Educators’ (ATE) Annual Meeting, hybrid. February, 2022, Chicago, IL.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning in the English language classroom. World Federation of Associations for Teacher Education Conference, November, 2021, Houston, Texas.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social-emotional learning: Innovating ideas for EL teachers. The Maryland TESOL Conference, November, 2021, Online.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Language use and colonization: An overview. In panel: Words as weapons in the United States and Palestine: Towards restoration and reconciliation. Presented accepted to be presented at the Language Education for Social Justice Summer School and Conference in Applied Language Studies at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, June, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Considerations for teaching L1 literacy to LESLLA learners: Lessons learned from a Spanish literacy program. In panel: Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults (LESLLA) in Maryland: Current state, overview of findings, and available support. Maryland Virtual Training Institute, Baltimore, MD, June, 2021.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Applying social and emotional learning strategies in your English learner classrooms: An interactive discussion to boost knowledge. National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Annual Conference, Houston, TX, April, 2021.

Rashed, D., Yazan, B., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Shared experiences: The multifaceted nature of language teacher professional identity. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2021.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social and emotional learning strategies for the well-being of English learners. Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) Spring Learning and Sharing Virtual Series, March, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Martínez-Alba, G. (2021). Social and emotional learning in TESOL: Implications for teacher educators and practitioners. 1^st International Conference on Emotional Intelligence, Happiness, and Wellbeing in Higher Education, February, 2021.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social and emotional learning (SEL) for teachers supporting Latinx English learners. Latino Providers Network, February, 2021.

Martínez-Alba, G., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2021). Social and emotional learning (SEL) in teacher education programs focused on English learners. Association of Teacher Educators’ (ATE) Annual Meeting, online. February, 2021.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2020). Exploring linguistic, cultural, and social spaces of belongings: A critical ethnographic study of two Mayan Latinx ELs. In Colloquium Panel entitled “Immigration and Indigenous Languages”. Accepted to be presented at the Society for Linguistic Anthropology, April, 2020, Boulder, CO. (Conference canceled due to the Coronavirus).

Kidwell, T., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2020). Culturally sustaining pedagogy: Celebrating students’ assets, supporting their learning. Poster accepted to be presented at the TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, April, 2020, Denver, CO. (Conference canceled due to the Coronavirus)

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2020). Con respeto: Exploring Mayan ELs’ learning experiences and negotiations in the language and literacy classrooms. Paper accepted to be presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics, March, 2020, Denver, CO. (Conference canceled due to the Coronavirus)

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Resilience and survival: The story of an Ixil SLIFE EL. Maryland TESOL Conference, November, 2019, Largo, MD.

Rivera-Vega, E., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Conceptualizing the TPL design at a dual language institution in higher education. Puerto Rico TESOL Convention, November, 2019, Guayanilla, Puerto Rico.

Trinh, E., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Writing as an act of rebellion: United voices of LGBTQ scholars of color in academia. American Educational Studies Association (AESA) Annual Conference, October, 2019, Baltimore, MD.

Jenner, E., Konkel, M., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (in absentia). (2019). Residual effects on conquest and colonialism: A past and present review of the Mayan experience. III Encontro Ibero-Americano de Estudos Mayas, October, 2019, Campinas, Brazil.

Kidwell, T., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Culturally sustaining pedagogy 101: Practical applications to support student learning. WATESOL Conference, October, 2019, Washington, DC.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Teaching Spanish literacy to adult Latinx learners: Exploring interest, impact, and sustainability. Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults (LESLLA) Symposium, August, 2019, Pittsburgh, PA.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Discovering and negotiating linguistic and social spaces of belongings: Indigenous Latinx students in the U.S. The Georgetown University Round Table (GURT), March 2019, Washington, D.C.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). The power of languages in the newcomer ESOL classroom. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2019, Atlanta, GA.

Kidwell, T., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2019). Literature circles 2.0: Building literacy in the 21^st -century TESOL classroom. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2019, Atlanta, GA.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). Exploring moral values and behavior in the ESOL newcomer classroom. West Virginia Reading Association, November, 2018, White Sulphur Springs, WV.

Kidwell, T., & Pentón Herrera, L. J. (in absentia). (2018). Breaking through culture barriers: Integrating diverse cultures across content areas through culturally sustaining pedagogy. Ohio TESOL Conference, October, 2018, Columbus, OH.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). La enseñanza de la lectoescritura a adolescentes hispanos con educación formal limitada o interrumpida en Estados Unidos. Instituto Cervantes Symposium at Harvard University, May, 2018, Cambridge, MA.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2018). Advocating for Indigenous Hispanic EL students. National Council of Teachers of English – Assembly for Research, March, 2018, Baltimore, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2017). Ixil students in the United States: An introduction. TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo, March, 2017, Seattle, WA.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2017). Adolescent immigrant Ixil students in the United States: Emerging findings from dissertation. Maryland TESOL Graduate Student Section Conference, February, 2017, Baltimore, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2016). ESL urban high school teachers’ perceptions of their instructional strengths and challenges: A qualitative case study. Literacy Research Night in Concordia University Chicago, December, 2016, Chicago, IL.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2016). Teaching Literacy to Central American ESL students in the United States. Maryland TESOL Conference, November, 2016, Columbia, MD.

Pentón Herrera, L., J., & Toledo-López, A., A. (2016). Inmigrantes escolares centroamericanos en Estados Unidos: Retos y propuestas. Latin American Studies Association, May, 2016, New York, NY.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2016). Spanish Literacy Program: An opportunity for first language development. Literacy Research Night in Concordia University Chicago, April, 2016, Chicago, IL.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2016). Facilitating English language acquisition: ESL educators as literacy practitioners. Maryland TESOL Graduate Student Section Conference, February, 2016, Catonsville, MD. Published at the MD TESOL Newsletter.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., Toledo-López, A. A., & Frómeta Cárdenas, D. (2016). La educación bilingüe como agente de sostenibilidad global: Una mirada a la educación superior cubana. 10^th International Congress of Higher Education, February, 2016, La Habana, Cuba. Published at Ministerio de Educación de Cuba.

Pentón Herrera, L. J. (2015). The reading paradox: Bilingual education and ELL instruction. Maryland TESOL Conference, October, 2015, Chestertown, MD. Published at Ámbito de Encuentros.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Toledo-López, A. A. (2015). The impact of bilingual education in the professional development of Hispanic women. Latin American Studies Association, May, 2015, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Published at Ámbito de Encuentros.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., & Toledo-López, A. A. (2014). Language immersion for adult learners: Bridging gaps from childhood to college. Florida Foreign Language Association, October, 2014, Miami, Florida. Published at the Florida Foreign Language Journal.

Pentón Herrera, L. J., Toledo-López, A. A., & Dávila, J. (2014). Bridging linguistic and teaching skills: The Discipline-Based Dual Language Immersion Model. International Conference on Education (ICE), May 2014, Chicago Illinois.