In this episode of Literacy Mindset, we sit down with Kristopher Macias, Director of Instruction and Professional Learning at Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools. Kristopher shares a transformative perspective on literacy instruction—one rooted in the needs of adult learners, many of whom are immigrants seeking not just a high school diploma, but a new beginning.From classroom culture to biliteracy and the nuanced difference between translation and interpretation, Kristopher offers a front-row look at how adult education challenges conventional thinking. He discusses the emotional and pedagogical balancing act required to teach foundational literacy skills to students in their 30s, 40s, and beyond—while respecting their lived experiences and cultural identities.Whether you’re an educator, instructional leader, or edtech innovator, this conversation will shift how you think about literacy, learning environments, and equity in education.Key Moments00:00 Biliteracy and Workforce Readiness Education06:21 Teaching Multilingual ELD Students07:39 Bridging Language Gaps in Education11:39 Highlands District Technology Integration14:48 Respectful Adult Language Education17:06 Strategic Student Placement Approach21:48 Intentional Teaching for Student Confidence23:28 Hiring Teachers for Adult Education27:57 Language Learning: Bridging Contextual Gaps30:50 Promoting Literacy and PracticeWhy You’ll Love This Episode:You’ll discover what it takes to build a classroom culture where adult learners feel safe enough to make mistakes—and confident enough to grow.Kristopher unpacks what true biliteracy support looks like, and why it’s so much more than translation.You’ll gain insight into the delicate art of teaching foundational phonics and fluency to learners well beyond the K-12 age range.The discussion highlights real-world applications of technology (including AI) in bridging literacy gaps—and where current tools still fall short.Connect with Kristopher MaciasLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-macias-563046180/Website: https://hccts.org/Follow & SubscribeHost LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-pendleton-2a614b26/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindplayeducationCompany Website: https://mindplay.com/Enjoyed this episode?Subscribe to The Literacy Mindset Podcast and leave us a review!Share this episode with educators, district leaders, and literacy advocates who are passionate about student success.

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