Heidi Goertzen

Partnership Lead for Alabama Research Partnership on Improving English Learner Outcomes

About

Heidi Goertzen serves as the Partnership Manager on the Alabama Improving English Learner Outcomes Research Partnership. Dr. Goertzen is also a Senior Research Associate at RMC Research Corporation’s Tampa office. Dr. Goertzen’s work focuses on providing evaluation, professional learning, and technical assistance at state, district, and school levels. In her role at RMC, Dr. Goertzen serves as the Region 7 Comprehensive Center Deputy Director, where she supports state leaders in the region with the implementation of state-identified priorities. Dr. Goertzen has practiced extensively at state and district levels, providing leadership and expertise related to building the capacity of educators to improve and develop equitable practices and policies through the implementation of evidence-based practices. Her areas of focus include multilingual learners, teacher quality, and school improvement. Dr. Goertzen can be contacted at hgoertzen@rmcres.com.

Associated IES Content

resource Tool/Toolkit

Supporting Classroom Teachers with Implementing the IES Practice Guide Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle Schools: Part 1 of 4

Part one of this four-part infographic series introduces Recommendation 1 from the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide, Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle Schools, emphasizing the importance of teaching a focused set of academic vocabulary words intensively over several days using varied, evidence-based instructional activities.
Jan 28, 2026

About REL Southeast

Regional Educational Lab (REL) Southeast partners with key stakeholders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina to develop evidence that can inform consequential decisions about policy, programs, and practice.
Blog

A Model of Collaboration Between REL Southeast and the Region 7 Comprehensive Center to Strengthen Alabama's English Learner Outcomes

This blog describes how the REL Southeast and Region 7 Comprehensive Center collaborate to provide support to the Alabama State Department of Education on initiatives that focus on English learner students.
Date published:
Dec 07, 2023
Blog

Using Professional Learning Communities to Implement Evidence-Based Practices for English Learner Students in Alabama

To align with the new State initiative, Alabama teachers must use high-leverage instructional practices to help EL students increase their literacy and language skills...
Date published:
Aug 02, 2022