ABOUT UPRIVER EDUCATION
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”
— ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
OUR MISSION
Aligned Professional Development for Educators of Multilingual Learners
UpRiver Education exists to help educators and district leaders build stronger support for multilingual learners. The work is rooted in a simple but important shift: moving beyond fragmented professional development and disconnected materials toward professional learning and instructional systems that are coherent, practical, and sustainable.
As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once observed, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” UpRiver’s work is grounded in that same belief — helping districts address the deeper systems that shape multilingual learner success.
Through district partnership, UpRiver brings thoughtful expertise, implementation-minded support, and learning experiences that remain relevant long after the workshop ends.
FOUNDER & LEAD CONSULTANT
Meet Dana Gastich French
Dana Gastich French, founder of UpRiver Education, is a leading voice in multilingual learner professional development. Known for bringing deep field expertise, practical clarity, and a steady, educator-centered approach to her work, Dana helps districts navigate the challenges of multilingual learner instruction with greater confidence and coherence.
OUR VALUES
Increasing Equity for Multilingual Learners
Multilingualism is the gold standard of education.
Professional development should be full of clarity and joy.
Aligned educators and supported MLs contribute to a greater humanity.
Build a shared instructional foundation
UpRiver begins by helping districts align around a clear, research-backed vision for multilingual learner success — creating coherence across schools, roles, and classrooms.
Deliver sustained professional learning
We prioritize ongoing, practical learning experiences over one-time events, giving educators the clarity and confidence to apply what they learn in real time.
Integrate into existing systems
Our work fits seamlessly into your current structures — supporting standards-aligned instruction, reducing variability, and strengthening teacher expertise without rigid programs.
Scale consistency and impact
With a shared language and approach in place, districts are able to create more consistent, equitable experiences for multilingual learners across the entire system.
EDUCATOR TESTIMONIALS
What Educators Say About UpRiver’s Multilingual Learner Professional Development
Hear how teachers and leaders are improving multilingual learner instruction through practical, high-impact support.
"UpRiver Education has done phenomenal work to advance equity, accessibility and inclusion through their work with schools and districts. Their thought leadership has advanced my teaching strategies and caused me to be more intentional and impactful with my multilingual students."
Melanie B.
"Dana's teaching style is engaging and fun! I especially appreciate the many helpful resources given to us as well. She is a skilled and knowledgeable presenter!"
Kathy M.
"Dana Gastich French and her team bring deep experience and specialized knowledge in the field of ESL. They are responsive to work with and have always demonstrated a commitment to quality work. Dana understands the policies and regulations, bringing her direct experience in the field to her firm."
Jennifer R.
“As a brand-new ESL teacher, it was incredibly helpful to have Dana share her wealth of knowledge and have the support of other ESL educators. I gained clarity around my new role which increased my confidence."
Rebecca D.
"UpRiver Education has always provided quality work...the content has always proved to be extremely meaningful whether the educators are taken through case study scenarios or having small and/or large group discussions based on the presentation material. On another note, UpRiver Education’s presentation slides always look professional and visually appealing."
Amanda A.
“The content was fantastic. I got so much out of it, even as a ‘veteran’ EL Teacher.”
