Joan R. Lachance

Dr. Joan Lachance is an Associate Professor of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she directs graduate and undergraduate TESL programs. She is the co-author of the National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards, the Director of the CAEP Specialized Program Association in Dual Language Education called “EMMA: Education for a Multilingual Multicultural America” and with the Collaboration and Co-Teaching for Dual Language Learners book, now a best-selling author with Corwin. Her research agenda includes collaboration and co-teaching in dual language, teacher preparation for working with multilingual learners, and authentic assessment for multilingualism. Woven into her work she supports dual language education for the revitalization of Native American languages, currently and most-honorably collaborating with dual language programs serving the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians [EBCI].

Dr. Lachance, in her role as a consultant, facilitates professional learning for educators across the US. Her sessions are designed to inform education agencies, districts, and schools. In turn, educators are more prepared and empowered to better support multilingual learners, creating more linguistically and culturally rich communities.