Joe Wiemelt

Joe Wiemelt is the Director of Bilingual & Multicultural Programs for Urbana School District #116 in Urbana, Illinois, where he oversees and leads the bilingual, ESL, and migrant education programs in the district.  He is a former bilingual and ESL teacher and has experience teaching in grades K-8.  Joe received his undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Millikin University, his ESL/Bilingual certification from Illinois State University, his master's degree in Educational Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and he is currently a 3rd year doctoral student in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Joe's research interests include transformative leadership for culturally and linguistically responsive education for emerging bilingual students.  In addition to his current position, Joe also works as a consultant for the Regional Office of Education for Champaign and Ford Counties in Illinois, where he provides professional development for districts and other organizations with ELL student populations and program development.