Honoring Dr. Lily Wong Fillmore: Inaugural Inductee into the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame
Summit K12 is proud to announce the inaugural class of the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame created to recognize pioneers and leaders who have significantly shaped the field of multilingual learner education. This esteemed Hall of Fame was established to celebrate and preserve the contributions of those who have profoundly impacted research, policy, advocacy, and classroom practices that support bilingual and multilingual learners. The inaugural induction ceremony was held at the National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE) 2025 annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Among these distinguished honorees is Dr. Lily Wong Fillmore, a preeminent linguist and educator whose research and advocacy have significantly shaped the field of multilingual education. A professor emerita from the University of California at Berkeley, Dr. Fillmore has dedicated her career to studying language learning and development among linguistic-minority children in school settings. Her research has profoundly influenced educational practices, particularly in understanding second language acquisition, language loss among immigrant and Indigenous students, and the role of literacy in language development. Dr. Fillmore’s contributions to multilingual education have been celebrated through numerous accolades, and her work continues to shape the field today. Her advocacy for rich and meaningful language instruction, as well as her unwavering dedication to educational justice, has inspired generations of teachers, researchers, and policymakers.
Dr. Fillmore’s impact extends beyond academia. She has been a relentless advocate for multilingual learners, ensuring that English learners receive high-quality instruction that prepares them for college and career success. Throughout her tenure at UC Berkeley from 1974 to 2004, she contributed groundbreaking research on how children learn societal languages as a second language, the impact of language acquisition on primary language retention, and the effects of language shift and loss on families and communities. Her commitment to educational equity has empowered countless educators to implement linguistically and culturally affirming instructional strategies in their classrooms.
Even after retiring from UC Berkeley, Dr. Fillmore continued her mission by collaborating with school districts. Her work has helped to enhance academic language and literacy instruction for English and multilingual learners, ensuring they have access to rigorous and engaging educational experiences. She remains a powerful advocate for the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures, emphasizing the crucial role families and communities play in language revitalization efforts.
“Children are a family’s link to the future, just as families are a community’s promise for the future. It will take families working with communities to give new life to Indigenous languages and cultures.” – Dr. Lily Wong Fillmore
Her pioneering efforts in language acquisition, bilingual education, and culturally responsive teaching have left an indelible mark on the field, making her a most deserving inductee into the Multilingual Education Hall of Fame.
Summit K12 congratulates Dr. Lily Wong Fillmore on this well-earned recognition. Her lifelong commitment to multilingual learners and her dedication to advancing educational equity serve as an inspiration to all who seek to create inclusive and effective learning environments for linguistically diverse students.
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