Megan Budke is the Immersion, Indigenous, and World Languages Coordinator for St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS). She has 16 years of experience working with students, families, and staff in language education as a teacher, TOSA, and coordinator. She leads curriculum, instruction, and program design for 5 dual language immersion programs, 13 indigenous and world language offerings, and the Bilingual Seal program at SPPS. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Spanish, Spanish Education, and International Studies from North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND) as well as a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN). She served as the 2020 President of Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures (MCTLC) with a focus on amplifying marginalized voices and narratives. She is passionate about curriculum development, equitable grading and reporting practices, and supporting less commonly taught languages.
Publications
Budke, M., Nickel, K., and Strauss, S. (2024). Learner feedback for language growth: A guidebook for evaluating learner work using performance domains and indicators. ACTFL.
Budke, M. and Nickel, K. (2022). Turning obstacles into stepping stones: A cohort model to navigate the pathway to teacher licensure. The Language Educator, 17 (2), 45-49.
Budke, M. and Nickel, K. (2022). ALL aboard! Destination: Minnesota Bilingual Seal with performance at proficiency levels along the way. The Language Educator, 15 (4), 22-26.
Budke, M. (2021). Exploring how culture impacts our food choices. In American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, World-Readiness Standards for Learning Spanish, (pp.71-73). ACTFL.
Budke, M. and Nickel, K. (2018). PLCs make it possible: Providing an equitable student learning experience through the power of Professional Learning Communities. The Language Educator, 13 (3), 29-33.
Media Features
Najarro, I. (2024). Amid political attacks on Ohio immigrants, how schools can support newcomers. Interview and online article in Education Week.
Najarro, I. (2024). How a district used the Biliteracy Seal to expand language instruction. Interview and online article in Education Week.
Domzalski, K. (2024). How a state seal of biliteracy inspired this district to teach a new language. Interview and video by Education Week.
Noak, C. (2024). SPPS students embrace their heritage with Bilingual Seals program. Interview and online article featured by SPPS Communications.
Dernback, B. Z. (2023). Banned for 60 years in Myanmar, Karen language classes make public school debut in St. Paul. Interview and online article for Sahan Journal, Minnesota.
Lonetree, A. (2023). St. Paul Public Schools already eyeing expansion of groundbreaking Karen language program. Interview and printed front-page article in the Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Cleland, M. (2019). How to cultivate a socially conscious classroom. Interview and online article with GlobalGiving.
Performance, Proficiency, Possibilities 