The Arizona Department of Education and the Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS) are excited to offer businesses, non-profits, and other departments/agencies the opportunity to be an exhibitor during Arizona's 2026 OELAS Conference.

Full Conference Dates: December 9-11, 2026
Venue: Arizona Grand Resort and Spa | 8000 South Arizona Grand E, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Exhibitor Dates: December 9-11, 2026

We have a few options this year! We have a limited number of tables in the conference center lobby and additional tables outside on the patio that circles the conference break out sessions. 

All exhibitor options include the following:  

• Exhibitors will be provided one 6-ft. skirted table, two chairs, and Wi-Fi connectivity. 
• Electricity for the table is available on a limited basis and must be requested within the application.  
• Complimentary parking. 
• Company information will be included in the digital conference program (Guidebook).
• Information displayed digitally throughout the conference meals.
  • Please Note: Meals are not included. Exhibitors will need to be prepare for meals on their own. There is a restaurant located on property and others in close proximity.

Option 1 - Indoor, Conference Center Lobby  |  Cost: $850

Option 2 - Outdoors, Around the Breakout Session Rooms  |  Cost: $650

• This will be a table outdoor on the patio.
• **Materials may need to be brought inside the nearest session room overnight. 

Option 3 - Non-Profit or Community-based Program

• This will be a table outdoor on the patio.
• **Materials may need to be brought inside the nearest session room overnight. 
   

Apply by October 5^th; spots are limited. 

Link to Apply

For questions regarding the OELAS Conference, please reach out via email at [email protected].

We are now accepting proposals for breakout sessions at Arizona’s 2026 OELAS Conference.

If you are interested in sharing your expertise with other Arizona educators of English Learners (ELs) and EL Program Leaders, we invite you to submit a proposal to present at one of the many sessions offered throughout the conference.

Call for 2026 Session Proposals

If you are planning ahead, our goal is to build the knowledge, capacity, and confidence of educators and leaders of English learners (ELs) as we teach and support our ELs toward English language proficiency and reclassification. Breakout sessions will be tailored to elementary and secondary levels as well as the following topics:

• Compensatory Instruction for ELs and Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) Students
• Continued Support for RFEP Students
• Dual-labeled ELs: How to Best Provide Both Services
• Effective English Language Development (ELD) Programs, beyond compliance
• Effective Integrated Instruction for ELs
• Effective Targeted ELD Instruction
• Effective Use of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
• Formative Assessment Practices (Principle 4 of the LDA)
• Intentional Language Scaffolds and Linguistic Supports for ELs (Supports for reading, listening, speaking, and/or writing)
• Parent, Family, and Community Engagement, specific to ELs
• Using and Analyzing EL Data to Inform Programs and/or Instruction

Conference Schedule 

For questions regarding the OELAS Conference, please reach out via email at [email protected].

Registration Details:

Date: December 9-11, 2026 (conference days 1-3)

Location: The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa,
   8000 South Arizona Grand E, Phoenix, AZ 85044

Registration Fee: $500/person (includes breakfast, lunch, and parking each day)

Registration Notes: 

• Registration will close on November 10th or when full, whichever comes first. 
• Registration for this event must be completed in the ADE Professional Learning and Development (APLD) system. Participants must have an ADEConnect account to complete the registration. The participant is responsible for ensuring he/she is registered and has paid for this event. The team at OELAS (Office of English Language Acquisition Services) will not register participants.
• Please verify an accurate email address when registering. Emails are used to communicate conference information and give credit/certificates through the APLD system.

For lodging, please visit the Conference Lodging webpage.

For questions regarding the OELAS Conference, please reach out via email at [email protected].

The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa

All reservations for attendees will be made individually by guests. Please call the on-site reservations department at 877.800.4888 to make reservations.

*To ensure a smooth reservation process, please share that Arizona Department of Education 2026 OELAS Conference is the group name callers will refer to when making their reservations.

Guests can also confirm their reservation on our website, by following the link below:

• Arizona Department of Education 2026 OELAS Conference Booking Link

• The 2026 OELAS Conference group room rate is $160.00 (or prevailing Arizona state per diem rate) plus applicable taxes per night (subject to availability).
• The group room rate is available until November 10, 2026 or until sold out.
• Please note that Arizona Grand Resort and Spa does not accept purchase orders as a method of payment. If you plan on paying by check or another form of payment, please contact the venue directly.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at [email protected].

English Language Proficiency: Pathway to Possibilities

Hosted by the Arizona Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS)

December 10-12, 2024

Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel and Spa,
9495 W. Entertainment Blvd., Glendale, Arizona 85305

Session proposals will be accepted through October 4, 2024

Session Proposal Submission

Our team is seeking sessions aligned to the following topics:

• Accelerating Learning
• Compensatory Instruction for English Learners (ELs) and Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) Students
• Continued Supports for RFEP Students
• Effective English Language Development (ELD) Programs
• Effective Integrated Instruction
• Effective Targeted ELD Instruction
• Effective Use of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
• Formative Assessment Practices (Principle 4 of the Language Development Approach)
• Language Scaffolds and Linguistic Supports for ELs
• Parent, Family, and Community Engagement, specific to ELs
• Using and Analyzing EL Data

Timeline and Logistics:

• All breakout sessions are 75 minutes in length.
• Proposals are due: 10/4/24
• Selected presenters will be notified: 10/18/24
• All sharable presenter materials are due: 11/15/24
   

For questions regarding the OELAS Conference, please reach out via email at [email protected]. 

Each year at the OELAS Conference, the Arizona Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS) recognizes a group of English learner (EL) students who have demonstrated noteworthy accomplishments in English language acquisition and academic achievement.

Winners of the award are introduced at the annual OELAS Conference in December.  Their stories are shared with conference attendees, and the recognized students are also asked to share their stories with the audience of teachers, administrators, parents, and invited guests. This event is always a wonderful opportunity to highlight the efforts of each EL student and their journey to English language proficiency! 

The Arizona Department of Education invites you to nominate a student who has made noteworthy accomplishments in English language acquisition and academic achievement as a recipient for this award. The nominated student must be a current EL, an EL that reclassified as Fluent Proficient in 2026, or an EL who reclassified as Fluent Proficient and graduated from high school in 2026. If you know of an EL who deserves this honor, please complete and submit the online nomination form. 

Nominations are due by September 26^th, end of the day.

The winners of the 2026 Arizona EL Student Success Stories award will be honored at the 2026 OELAS Conference at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].

During the annual conference, the Arizona Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS) recognizes, honors, and celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of English learner (EL) educators throughout the state of Arizona. The top honor of the Arizona EL Teacher of the Year award highlights and validates the consistent dedication to the success of English learners.

2026 Arizona English Learner Teacher of the Year

The 2026 Arizona EL Teacher of the Year award nomination/application window is now open! 

In an effort to streamline the process and widen the pool of candidates, OELAS has updated the process for the Arizona English Learner (EL) Teacher of the Year award. Starting this year, the nomination and application forms have been merged into one step! District/Charter EL Coordinators or instructional leaders may still nominate an outstanding teacher of ELs for this award.  Teachers of ELs may also nominate a peer or themselves for this award. Please nominate by requesting the teacher(s) to complete the application packet.

Also, new this year, teachers are asked to submit a model lesson plan or a video of the teacher’s classroom instruction.  This is an exciting addition to the process that is embedded in other state and national award processes! The nomination/application packet has a full list of details and a complete checklist for submission.

Please ensure teachers submit the documents by the September 19th deadline! 
 

We look forward to receiving nominations/applications from teachers of ELs from all over Arizona!

2026 EL Teacher of the Year Award presentation will take place at the 2026 OELAS Conference.

December 9, 2026 | Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona

Timeline:

• August 2026  |  Completed Applications accepted
• September 19, 2026  |  Applications and Files Due 
• September 28, 2026  |  Selection panel convenes
• October – November 2026  |  Classroom observation window 
• November 2026  |  Winner notification 
• December 9, 2026  |  Award presentation 

Nomination/Application Documents:

2026 Arizona EL Teacher of the Year Nomination-Application (fillable PDF)

2026 TOY English Learner Data Template (Excel with grade-level/grade-band worksheets)

2025 Arizona English Learner Teacher of the Year

Erin Heath, 5th-grade teacher | Balsz Elementary School District

Erin has been a teacher in the Balsz Elementary School District for a number of years. When she was asked about the rewards and challenges of her teaching experiences with English learners, she shared: “When I began teaching sixteen years ago, I did not anticipate that I would find my home in English Language education. Yet over time, through the relationships I formed with students and their families, and through my growing appreciation for the beauty of language acquisition, I discovered a profound purpose in this work. English Learners have taught me more about resilience, curiosity, and identity than I ever imagined possible.”

Should you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].  

December 9-11, 2026

The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa
Phoenix, Arizona

Call for 2026 Session Proposals

2026 EL Student Success Story Nomination

2026 Arizona EL Teacher of the Year Nomination/Application

Please check back for 2026 OELAS Conference updates! Details are being added regularly.

Throughout the conference experience, our goal is to build the knowledge, capacity, and confidence of educators and leaders of English learners (ELs) as we teach and support our ELs. 

Event Overview:

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in practical and engaging breakout sessions. Session topics will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Continued Support for Reclassified Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) Students
• Dual-labeled ELs: How to Best Provide Both (Special Education and English Learner) Services
• Effective Targeted English Language Development (ELD) Programs
• Effective Integrated Instruction
• Effective Use of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
• Language Scaffolds for ELs

Target Audience:

Teachers of English learners (Targeted ELD and Integrated Instruction teachers), Instructional Coaches, as well as School, Charter, and District Instructional Leaders

APLD Registration Link: (to be added in by August 31,2026)

Please note that ADE's registration system (APLD) does not allow for a waitlist. In the event that someone cancels their registration, a seat will open in the system. These seats will be open on a first come first served basis. 

For questions regarding the OELAS Conference, please reach out via email at [email protected].