Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1208082
organization that supports and connects innovative, tech- savvy educators. Seeing a need for more networking and fluid information sharing among his peers in English language devel- opment (ELD), Tovar founded California ELL Chat on Twitter (@CaELLChat), which has blossomed into a digital community that connects ELD educators to share tips, inspire one another, and develop skills to best serve diverse language learners. "How are we innovating ourselves as educators?" Tovar asks. "And how are we innovating our approaches to teaching?" The language of caring is applies to everything from how technology is being utilized in the classroom to the way the learning environment flows. Tovar's classroom feels like a Silicon Valley idea farm, with stools at rectangular high tables, no discernible front to the room, and walls and surfaces that are all dry-erase writable. His students work in teams, with each assigned a role like Chief Operations Officer or Chief Technology Officer, learning together about each other's stories as they continue writing their own. "As an educator, have your classroom be a reflection of what is coming and what is already here," Tovar says. "Your classroom will transform the way you teach." Being deliberate is a big part of Tovar's recipe for success. Showing his students that they have a great deal to teach him and others is one of those deliberate lessons on display in an annual event celebrating the promotion of Tovar's Newcomer students. In front of hundreds of assembled family, school and community members, Tovar introduces each student in their primary tongue — an act that means so much more than learn- ing some phrases in another language. "I'll speak in Arabic, Punjabi, in Zapotec," he says. "It means so much to the students and their families — to elevate their language as an equal to English." Tovar is eager to share lessons and best practices from his work with Newcomers in Selma Unified. Since recruiting him to teach the program in 2013, the school district has been com- pletely supportive of his work and desire to help other educators as well, he says. Tovar led a session with elementary teachers in San Gabriel Valley last summer on how to leverage technology in an ELD/Newcomer classroom, and he's currently working on an e-book outlining best practices. And as much as he likes to share his own story, he always wants to hear the stories of others. "All teachers should share their stories!" he says. "Tell your story and create your own hashtag so others can see the great things you are doing every day!" As an educator, have your classroom be a reflection of what is coming and what is already here. Your classroom will transform the way you teach." Join the Conversation Follow Efrain Tovar on Twitter at @efraintovarjr and California ELL Chat at @CaELLChat. Likely the only Google-certified Newcomer educator in the state, Tovar leverages technology to help his students become critical learners. 24 cta.org feature