Convening Focused on College Partnerships
2021-10-26 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 10/26/21
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is hosting a convening focused on college partnerships and creating a pathway for underserved learners into college programs. The convening will provide information on college processes, credit for prior learning, as well as be an opportunity for you to share your partnership experiences, ask questions, and provide suggestions on how collaboration could better serve learners.
This convening is especially designed for those providing workforce training, adult basic education, and college readiness instruction, as well as navigators supporting learners transitioning to college. The convening is remote, with a morning option on the 26th and an afternoon option on the 28th of October.

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2021-10-26 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 10/26/21
Research shows that explicitly teaching a set of comprehension strategies is a great way to help intermediate-level readers maximize their understanding of texts. Come learn a handful of great comprehension tools that will help students develop critical thinking skills and comprehension skills.

Manager Meet-Up: Technology Planning & Purchasing
2021-10-26 13:30 - 14:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 10/26/21
Many ABE managers have decided to invest a portion of their COVID Relief funds on technology for classrooms or for students to use at home. Others are investing in technology-enhanced curriculum and materials development. In this webinar, we will hear from a panel of ABE managers about how they are using these funds to build their capacity and advance digital equity for their students. In breakout rooms, all participants will be invited to discuss their own technology plans and share ideas for computer lending programs, HyFlex models, digital literacy instruction, and other innovative programming.

Volunteer Foundations Training – Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2021-10-27 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 10/27/21
Participants learn about the types of materials that they may be working with, including prepared texts and realia. Participants also learn about the practice of explicit instruction, how to effectively give instructions, and suggestions for extending worksheets to maximize understanding and practice.
Learn more about Literacy Minnesota’s Volunteer Foundations Training at https://www.literacymn.org/volunteer-foundations-training.

Volunteer Foundations Training – Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2021-10-28 10:00 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 10/28/21
Participants learn about the types of materials that they may be working with, including prepared texts and realia. Participants also learn about the practice of explicit instruction, how to effectively give instructions, and suggestions for extending worksheets to maximize understanding and practice.
Learn more about Literacy Minnesota’s Volunteer Foundations Training at https://www.literacymn.org/volunteer-foundations-training.

Convening Focused on College Partnerships
2021-10-28 13:00 - 15:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 10/28/21
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is hosting a convening focused on college partnerships and creating a pathway for underserved learners into college programs. The convening will provide information on college processes, credit for prior learning, as well as be an opportunity for you to share your partnership experiences, ask questions, and provide suggestions on how collaboration could better serve learners.
This convening is especially designed for those providing workforce training, adult basic education, and college readiness instruction, as well as navigators supporting learners transitioning to college. The convening is remote, with a morning option on the 26th and an afternoon option on the 28th of October.

Antiracist Praxis Study Circle
2021-10-28 14:30 - 16:30
Application Deadline: WED. 10/6/21
APPLY NOW >>

NOTE: Participation will be limited to keep the group a manageable size.

Study Circle Meetings: ONLINE via Zoom, on Thursdays from 2:30-4:30 PM as follows:

October 28
November 4
November 11
November 18
December 2

Facilitator: Cydnee Sanders
Description: Many of us have heard the terms antiracist and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), but how do we actually implement these large frameworks into our adult English classrooms? This study circle goes beyond defining antiracism and explores how the research around Translanguaging by Ofelia García and Culturally Responsive Teaching by Zaretta Hammond provide us with tools to change the way we approach teaching.
The study circle is not intended to be a basic “what is racism” professional development activity, so we have some working assumptions and hope those interested in joining can agree to start with these foundational beliefs:

Racism is systemic. White supremacy and systemic racism are leading problems in our education system. These systems are especially harmful to people of color and the English language learners we serve.
Identifying and addressing implicit bias is paramount to this work. It is a personal journey, and we all enter this work together from different places.
It is not enough to be “not racist” but we have to be intentionally antiracist.
We are willing to work in a collaborative environment and to hold each other accountable.

Time Commitment: 5 two-hour meetings, plus an expected 1-2 hours per week of preparation by reading, viewing, and reflecting on assigned tasks
CEUs: 20 for those who attend ALL 5 meetings and complete all study circle activities
Stipends: $100 for those who attend ALL 5 meetings and complete all study circle activities

Responding to Community Trauma in the Classroom (Part 2 of 2)
2021-10-28 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-11-04 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-11-11 16:00 - 17:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 5/27/21
NOTE: If you were unable to attend Part 1 (on May 20), please watch the recording prior to this meeting.
The second part of the training will consist of small group discussions led by ABE teachers that will focus on adapting the practices for adult classrooms to better serve ABE learners of all backgrounds and levels.
If you require ASL Interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Teaching Phonics to Adult English Learners
2021-10-29 10:00 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 10/29/21
Phonics is a crucial part of becoming a reader, yet many adult ESL learners lack sufficient decoding skills to be able to sound out and recognize new words, and don’t get adequate phonics instruction in their beginning level classes. Learn phonics activities to help learners with blending, segmenting, and developing phonemic awareness skills. Participants will leave with multiple activities and suggestions for making phonics relevant and engaging to learners.

ABE Foundations at a Distance Webinar (3 consecutive dates)
2021-11-01 13:30 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: SEE BELOW
Due to the virtual Summer Institute conference this year, we were unable to hold the in-person ABE Foundations Workshop, but the online course is a great option for those new to ABE! It’s a lot of information, and we recognize that having the in-person workshop allows you to ask questions, meet key leaders in the field, and build relationships with other colleagues new to ABE. So to add to the online course experience, we are offering 3 webinars to support your entry into the field:

Monday, October 18 – Webinar 1 (registration available through October 18)
Monday, October 25 – Webinar 2 (registration available through October 25)
Monday, November 1 – Webinar 3 (registration available through November 1)

October 18 is the FIRST webinar in the series. Participants are expected to complete the first two modules of ABE Foundations Online Course prior to the webinar:
Webinar 1:

Introduction to ABE Students
MN Adult Secondary Credentials

Webinar 2:

MN ABE Model & Delivery System
MN ABE Policy & Accountability

Webinar 3:

Introduction to MN Content Standards for ABE
Volunteers
Professional Development Resources

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2021-11-01 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 11/1/21
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Afghan Culture and Best Practices for Workforce Providers
2021-11-02 13:00 - 14:30
Registration Deadline: NONE; please click the Join Webinar link below to join on the day of the webinar:
JOIN WEBINAR
Join us for an overview presentation on Afghan culture and best practices for workforce providers by Naweed Ahmadzai. Naweed is the Human Resource Engagement Coordinator for Hennepin County. He is an Afghan-American who grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2009 as a political asylee. Naweed speaks from personal experience with insight for those working with and supporting newly arriving Afghan evacuees coming to Minnesota.
The presentation will address the following topics of interest:

the context out of which Afghan evacuees are arriving to Minnesota
the diverse demographic of over 15 different ethnic groups in Afghanistan
language and communication tips for better cross cultural connecting
some of the main differences between Western and Eastern interactions and concepts of time
overview of gender and family structure and implications for the workforce

NOTE: The same presentation will be given Thursday, October 28 at 3:00 PM and Tuesday, November 2 at 1:00 PM.

Volunteer Foundations Training - Core Training Module 1: Overview of MN Adult Education & Program Accountability
2021-11-02 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/2/21
Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards, initial and on-going assessment and other accountability measures.
Learn more about Literacy Minnesota’s Volunteer Foundations Training at https://www.literacymn.org/volunteer-foundations-training.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2021-11-08 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 11/8/21
Come and review the important role of fluency in reading instruction. We will discuss the three key components of reading fluency and look at a variety of activities tutors and teachers can try. We will talk about the mechanics of doing fluency practice via Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or any other remote tutoring tool (including the phone!). Participants will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share resources.

People with Disabilities Are the Best Teachers: Start Unlearning the Curriculum of Ableism
2021-11-09 10:00 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/9/21
Educators are welcome to join us to slow down, reflect and consider how we could lessen the ways that ableism affects our teaching and our students in both the classroom and across our larger educational systems. Let’s examine why and how, despite modern disability rights legislation, ableism persists as an oppressive system that treats certain abilities, bodies and minds as if they are superior to others.
By re-centering people with disabilities as the best teachers, we aim to “trouble the waters” of ableism and resist the myth of Normal that is harming not only people with disabilities, but also any people not seen as “ideal learners.” Alternative frames and practical strategies will be shared as tools that benefit us all: human-centered design, strengths-based differentiated learning, elevated expectations, neurodivergence, deep empathy and radical inclusion. Our goal is that participants leave with action steps to help transform classrooms into welcoming spaces for all abilities, minds and bodies.

Forward Together Ambassador Training
2021-11-09 12:00 - 12:45, 2021-11-10 12:00 - 12:45
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/9/21
The Graduate! Network will be hosting a virtual Forward Together Ambassador training on November 9 and 10 from 12:00-12:45 pm.
This training is a part of the Minnesota Forward Together initiative. Minnesota has partnered with The Graduate! Network to recruit and train local volunteer ambassadors to encourage their friends, neighbors, and colleagues to enroll in or to return to college or workforce training and complete their programs.
With support from the National Governor’s Association Innovations Grant, the Ambassadors will be trained on not only higher education, but also Adult Basic Education integrated programs, state supported workforce training programs, and accessing workforce or career services – ensuring a centralized source of information for Minnesotans. For staff currently working with adult learners, the training and toolkit provide great resource links and information that can be integrated into our daily work
Ambassadors will have training and support in this work. Being an Ambassador might involve face-to-face conversations, sharing information via social media, or exploring other ways that make sense for their community. The program is flexible and the possibilities for making a real impact are almost limitless!
Get more information >>
Forward Together Ambassadors flyer (click to view)

MN Lunch & Learn: Teaching in a Multi-Level Class
2021-11-09 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/9/21
In this session, we will go over strategies for teaching multi-level classes as well as share and brainstorm things that have worked for other teachers in their classes.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Administrator Webinar #2 - Building the Ship While Sailing It! Learning Models: How to Make Decisions and Shift as a System
2021-11-09 15:00 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/9/21
If you require ASL Interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu
This webinar is the second in our ABE Administrators Webinar Series this year! We are pleased to be offering more targeted support to those coordinating, managing, and otherwise leading adult education programs in Minnesota. Join us to talk about learning models (blended, hybrid, HyFlex, etc.) – specifically how to make decisions and shift as a system. The last year and a half has given us a glimpse of our technological capabilities and potential when it comes to the programming we offer. How can administrators lead their programs in making decisions about learning models and guiding their staff as they make system shifts? Join us to learn more and to share your insights!

Volunteer Foundations Training – Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2021-11-09 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/9/21
Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Motivations and barriers to learning are also covered, as well as guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults. Participants also increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English/developing literacy as an adult.
Learn more about Literacy Minnesota’s Volunteer Foundations Training at https://www.literacymn.org/volunteer-foundations-training.

Edmentum Courseware: New & Refresher Teacher Training
2021-11-10 14:00 - 15:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 11/10/21
In this session we will cover what new teachers need to know to get up and running with Edmentum Courseware, one of Minnesota Adult Education’s state-supported distance learning options. New teachers can request an account using the request form on the Distance Learning website at: literacymn.org/distancelearning/dl-platforms/edmentum.

Please Say That Again: Pronunciation Instruction for Adult ESL Learners
2021-11-11 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 11/11/21
English pronunciation is a challenge, but important to teach! In this training, learn about three different pronunciation features that can be taught and practiced during virtual and in-person instruction. Participants will learn how the three features impact speakers’ intelligibility, and explore activities designed to help learners practice using these features in their daily speech.

Fall 2021 Managers Meeting
2021-11-16 09:30 - 12:30
Registration Deadline: FRI. 11/12/21
Registration is now open for the Fall Adult Basic Education (ABE) Managers Meeting. Each Minnesota ABE consortium is expected to send at least one representative to this workshop.
Agenda topics will include:

Opening announcements
Programming models
Recruitment and marketing
Partners and collaborations
Accountability
HiSET

MN Lunch & Learn: English for Specific Careers
2021-11-16 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/16/21
In this session, we will explore the English for Specific Careers section and brainstorm ways to incorporate this into your classroom for your students.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

HyFlex Community of Practice Group
2021-11-16 14:30 - 15:30
Registration Deadline: NONE; please click the Join Meeting link below to join on the day of the webinar:
JOIN MEETING >>
Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) classes (classes that are taught synchronously in-person with a remote synchronous option) offer students the opportunity to participate online or in the classroom, but can be intimidating for teachers to implement. Literacy Minnesota and the Support Services Distance Learning team would like to invite you to join a new HyFlex Community of Practice facilitated by Cathy Grady from Hubbs Center (Saint Paul Public Schools) and Kirsten Collins from Literacy Minnesota.
This informal group will be a fun place to share and build on our collective knowledge and experience in this new and growing area. We will decide as a group areas for future exploration, but some options are: exploring HyFlex technology options, hearing from teachers currently using HyFlex, and classroom management tips for the HyFlex class.
This group will meet online periodically throughout the school year and our second meeting is set for November 16 at 2:30. As discussed at our initial meeting, this meeting will focus on sharing resources and include a “show and tell” from teachers using HyFlex in the classroom.
All meetings will be held in Google Meet and are open to both teachers and managers. No need to sign up, just use the link above to join! We look forward to seeing you then!

Teaching Them to Fish: Using ACES/TIF to Support CCRS Instruction
2021-11-16 14:30 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/16/21
Join Stephanie Sommers, ATLAS ACES Coordinator, and Kristine Kelly, ATLAS Literacy Coordinator, to identify connections between basic skills and soft skills instruction, practice incorporating ACES/TIF skills to support students with ELA academic tasks and reflect on how building ACES/TIF skills with learners allows for more rigorous CCRS instruction and increases student self-direction!

Volunteer Foundations Training – Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2021-11-16 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/16/21
Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include checking comprehension of all learners, using an appropriate level of teacher talk, delivering error correction and feedback, facilitating learner questions, and ensuring that instruction is learner centered.
Learn more about Literacy Minnesota’s Volunteer Foundations Training at https://www.literacymn.org/volunteer-foundations-training.

2021 ABE Support Staff Conference
2021-11-18 09:00 - 2021-11-19 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 11/12/21
Please join SPARC (Support Professionals Resource Advisory Committee) this November as we present the annual Support Services Conference – Reflecting on the Past While Reimagining the Future – virtually via ZOOM.

Thursday, November 18, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm: CASAS and TABE Implementation trainings (intended for anyone who is not CASAS or TABE certified, or anyone new to ABE)
Friday, November 19, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Keynote address by the Minnesota State Adult Education staff, plus a full day of concurrent sessions on topics important to ABE support staff

We will provide CASAS and TABE Implementation Trainings on Thursday, November 18, and a Keynote address by the Minnesota State ABE staff along with a full day of concurrent sessions on topics important to ABE support staff on Friday, November 19.
For more information, visit https://www.mnabeassessment.com/support-services-conference
