ATLAS ABE

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Modeling an In-Class Lesson
2024-02-20 12:30 - 13:15 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/20/24
In this session, we will take a look at a Burlington English lesson plan paired with an In-Class Lesson. Xue will model how to present different strategies for how to complete the activities and how you might complete them in your classroom. Feel free to come with questions and problems you’ve been experiencing and we can brainstorm how you might overcome them!
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Administrators, Where Shall We Begin? Planning & Budgeting for the Coming Year
2024-02-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/20/24
Decisions, decisions… It’s that time again; planning for the coming school year is upon us! Join your colleagues and state staff for a time of discussion and learning around making plans and budgeting strategically for the 2024-2025 school year. State ABE Director Brad Hasskamp will be on hand for questions, and administrators from various contexts from around the state – including Deb McDermott-Johnson (Owatonna) and Susie Evans (Great Rivers) – will share their puzzles and strategies, with ample time for conversation.

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2024-02-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/20/24
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.

Phonics in Beginning ESL: Recommendations, Activities and Resources
2024-02-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 2/21/24
Phonics–the knowledge of the sounds letters make when they are combined to make words–is essential to beginning literacy and beginning level English language instruction. But, many teachers and tutors lack the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach the topic. Attend this session to learn why phonics instruction is important and leave with several ideas for phonics activities and resources to bring back to your teaching and tutoring sessions.
This session will be most useful to tutors and teachers working with beginning literacy, low beginning and high beginning English language learners.

Digital Accessibility Options
2024-02-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 2/22/24
Embracing digital equity, computer companies continue to make efforts to foster an inclusive environment. As users, we must also try to share such technology with students to address individual needs. By exploring these features, we empower ourselves to create a more accessible and equitable digital world. Join us to discover computer and browser features that may benefit your students.

Antiracist Praxis Study Circle
2024-02-23 15:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Online
Application deadline: FRI. 1/19/24
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.
Facilitated by: Wendy Vang-Roberts and Erin Cary
DATES: You are required to attend each date.

Fri. 2/2/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
Fri. 2/9/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
Fri. 2/16/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
Fri. 2/23/24, 3:00-5:00 PM
Fri. 3/8/24, 3:00-5:00 PM

Participants earn 15 CEUs plus a $100 stipend for completing all the requirements of the study circle, including attendance at all 5 meetings. Priority for slots is given to current paid staff of MN ABE programs.
GET MORE DETAILS >>
Meet our facilitators:
Wendy Vang-Roberts (she/her) is a first-generation Hmong American from the Twin Cities who is dedicated to taking action to dismantle racism and inequities through training, storytelling and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue. As the Program Manager of Federal Strategies at Race Forward, she project manages professional development for federal agencies to advance racial equity. Wendy holds a B.S. in Business Management and a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University. Currently, she serves on two working boards – the Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP) Board as Board Chair and the Antiracism Community of Transformation (ACT) Board.
Erin Cary (she/her), has worked in MN ABE since 2009, as teacher, administrator, and in curriculum writing and professional development. She currently teaches beginner ELLs for Metro North ABE in Brooklyn Center, and in her role as CILIA-T Project Coordinator, she coordinates development of a digital skill-building adult ELL civics curriculum project through the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She is a co-founder of the teacher/learner self-advocacy movement #IamABE, which supports equity work and activism in MN adult education. Erin holds a Master of Arts in ESL from Hamline University.

Volunteer Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2024-02-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 2/26/24
Participants will engage in a couple of classroom activities to experience scaffolding, checking comprehension and the gradual release of responsibility. These aspects of teaching and tutoring are then defined, explained further and participants get opportunities to practice them.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2024-02-27 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/27/24
You will be able to join Xue’s open office hour to come with any questions or issues that you have. If you need help with a technical issue, Xue will be able to walk you through and train you in how to resolve the issue. If you need teaching tips or strategies, we can brainstorm in this session. If you need training in a specific area of Burlington English, Xue will be able to help you navigate through the features.

HSE Testing Coffee Talk Series
2024-02-27 13:30 - 14:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: Register up to the date of each Coffee Talk.
This past year, we have added a new option to our testing services, making us a two-test state. We have had and continue to need help with connectivity issues, online proctoring, scheduling availability, student identifications, accommodation issues, etc. This series is intended to begin creating a space for us to come together, discuss, share, and problem-solve.
Coffee Talks will take place from 1:30-2:30 pm on every 4th Tuesday of the month in the 2024 calendar year.
Questions?
Please contact mde.abe@state.mn.us

LGBTQIA+ Topics in ABE Spaces
2024-02-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 2/28/24
What do welcoming spaces in adult education look like? How can we make sure LGBTQIA+ learners, volunteers and professionals feel they belong? In this session, ABE professionals in the LGBTQIA+ community will invite participants to reflect on and discuss topics of gender and sexuality in ESL/ABE classrooms and instruction. Participants will brainstorm how to include more queer representation in adult education curricula, program environments and materials. Presenters will provide lesson examples for teaching gender-inclusive language. It is our intention to create a space where participants are welcome but not required to share aspects of their identity or experiences related to the topic.

A.I. Tools for Teachers
2024-02-29 15:30 - 17:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 2/29/24
Are you a teacher? Do you need MORE TIME for prep work, planning, giving feedback to learners, and creating differentiated materials? (If you said “no,” we don’t believe you.) Join this webinar to learn how you can use generative artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools to support all the behind-the-scenes work of teaching. Panelists Kelly O’Brien, Jill Carlson, and Barbara Gorski will share how they use ChatGPT and Magic School to streamline tasks so they can focus more on…well, actually teaching. There will be plenty of examples as well as time for questions and discussion.

Metro ABE 2024 Spring Regional - In-person event!
2024-03-01 08:00 - 16:00 | Double Tree by Hilton – Roseville, 2450 N Cleveland Ave, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Registration Deadline: FRI. 2/23/24 – Registration is now CLOSED
Schedule and session descriptions:

PROGRAM FLYER>>

If you require ASL Interpretation, contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu.
COST:

$25/person
$15 late fee will be incurred for registrations submitted after 2/23/24 (deadline 2/27/24)

PAYMENT:
Need to pay for multiple registrations at once? Or need to pay for a registration that was already submitted?

By credit card/PayPal: Have your staff mark “Please bill my organization” when registering, and use this payment form.
By organizational check/PO: Have your staff mark “Please bill my organization” when registering, and ATLAS will invoice your program. Please do not send checks until you are invoiced.

SCHEDULE:
See program flyer for sessions and descriptions
8:00-8:45 Check-in & light breakfast
8:45-9:45 Welcome, Announcements, and General Session
10:00-11:30 Concurrent Session 1
11:30-12:30 Lunch
12:30-2:00 Concurrent Session 2
2:15-3:45 Concurrent Session 3

Teaching Reading Vocabulary Remotely or In Person
2024-03-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/4/24
Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension.
But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words? How do you get students to make new words part of their receptive and productive vocabularies? This webinar will focus on the theory and best practice behind choosing, teaching and reviewing reading vocabulary. You’ll get a chance to learn about (and practice) a variety of activities that can be done remotely or in person. Links to great online resources will also be provided.
This workshop will be most useful for instructors working with low-intermediate to advanced readers.

Volunteer Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2024-03-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/6/24
Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards as well as initial and on-going assessment. This session wraps up with learner motivations, barriers and persistence.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices Study Circle
2024-03-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Online
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 2/23/24
To do our work well, educators need to be aware of students’ possible experiences stemming from trauma in a myriad of forms, as well as implications for teaching and learning. In this study circle, a lens of trauma-informed instruction is used to deepen our best practices in working with adult learners in ways that are inclusive and culturally responsive. In this professional learning activity, emphasis is on reading, reflection, and discussion.
Objectives:
– Articulate a working definition of trauma that includes personal, systemic, historical, and other experiences.
– Identify ways that such trauma can impact learning for adult basic education students.
– Implement trauma-informed practices in order to better serve adult learners.
– Connect with fellow ABE practitioners and create a supportive environment that fosters well-being for ourselves, our students, and our workplaces.
Facilitated by: Andrea Echelberger
You must attend all study circle sessions to earn the 20 CEUs:

Friday, March 8, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, March 22, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, April 5, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, April 19, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm

Zoom registration links will be sent to registrants via email.
Note: Priority for slots is given to current paid staff of Minnesota Adult Education programs.
GET MORE DETAILS >>
Meet our facilitator

Andrea Echelberger has worked in the field of adult education as a classroom teacher and an instructional trainer for 20 years, providing training and support for English language teachers on both a state and national level. Andrea has worked extensively with refugee-background adult emergent readers, served as an EL Fellow and EL Specialist with the US State Department, and has developed a wide variety of workshops and classroom instructional materials. Andrea holds a M. A. in Teaching ESL from Hamline University and a MN ABE Teaching License from the University of Minnesota.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2024-03-11 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/11/24
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.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Connecting IET/IELCE to BE
2024-03-12 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 3/12/24
In this session, we will explore the components of IELCE and IET and breakdown how those components can be found in Burlington English. We will talk about ways to implement them in your class.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

First Flight: A Look at Microsoft’s AI Chat Assistant “Copilot"
2024-03-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 3/12/24
Join us for an engaging webinar as we explore the revolutionary Microsoft AI Copilot, an AI powered chat tool designed to enhance productivity. As Microsoft plans on integrating Copilot into all its Office software along with the Bing browser and Windows 11 itself, this will be a great opportunity to see what the future may bring to you and your learners Windows experience.

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2024-03-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/13/24
Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2024-03-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/13/24
Participants develop their personal cultural awareness and learn how expectations around school culture shape how people teach and learn. Guiding principles for effectively delivering instruction to adults are also covered. Finally, participants increase their sensitivity to the challenges of learning English and developing literacy as an adult.

Is it SSLO Goin’? The IET Approval Process De-Mystified!
2024-03-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 3/14/24
Single Set of Learning Objectives, also known as SSLOs, are required for an Integrated Education and Training (IET) course approval from the Minnesota Department of Education. If you have written SSLOs, you know that it can be a difficult and tedious process as you try to boil down a complex course into four to six essential competencies. Updates to the IET Application process have been recently made and now ATLAS Transitions Coordinator, Carly Voshell, is reviewing SSLOs for the state. Join this webinar to learn more about writing SSLOs more easily and efficiently, and connect with others who are in the midst of this important work!
If you require ASL Interpretation, contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Culturally Responsive Practices for Diverse Adult Learners with Jimmie Heags
2024-03-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/18/24
Join presenter Jimmie Heags, Jr., MA, LSC, LPCC, LADC, ACS, for this session that explores how cultural identities and experiences impact student-instructor interactions and shape the way we make meaning of the world. Participants will gain awareness of their own cultural perspectives, social location and the need for cultural humility in Adult Basic Education with the goal of enhancing the outcomes of adult learners and educators’ own professional development. Learning will be acquired through the explanation of concepts, anecdotes and stories, videos and participant reflection.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Xue's Office Hour
2024-03-19 12:30 - 13:15 | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 3/19/24
You will be able to join Xue’s open office hour to come with any questions or issues that you have. If you need help with a technical issue, Xue will be able to walk you through and train you in how to resolve the issue. If you need teaching tips or strategies, we can brainstorm in this session. If you need training in a specific area of Burlington English, Xue will be able to help you navigate through the features.

Volunteer Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2024-03-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/20/24
Participants learn how to apply teaching practices that support language and skill development for all learners. These practices include ensuring that instruction is learner centered, using an appropriate level of teacher talk and delivering error correction.

SiD Specialty Classes & Student Tags Webinar
2024-03-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: THU. 3/21/24
We know you’ve got a handle on creating traditional classrooms in SiD where students are working on reading, writing, ‘rithmetic, and ESL skills. There are also classes that have specific Federal reporting requirements. Still others have state guidelines and staff training rules. They can be a little more tricky or confusing. During the session we’ll talk about how to set up some of these specialty classes, including IET, IELCE, and Workplace Literacy. We’ll also touch on a couple of student history items that can have a big impact on reporting.
Target audience: SiD data staff with Admin level logins and ABE program managers
Presenters: Your SiD Support Team, Jenny Schlukebier and Mary Zimmerli
Recording: If you can’t make it to the session, go ahead and register anyway. We’ll send a link to the recording to everyone who registered.

CASAS STEPS and BurlingtonEnglish Prep Conference
2024-03-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Double Tree by Hilton – Roseville, 2450 N Cleveland Ave, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Registration Deadline: WED. 3/20/24
Come learn about the new CASAS STEPS assessment and the new BurlingtonEnglish CASAS preparation materials. We’ll collaborate together in person, sharing strategies learned from states who have already adopted the new CASAS Steps assessment, gaining confidence with the English Language Proficiency standards, and receive training on the new BurlingtonEnglish CASAS preparation materials (coming spring 2024).
All are welcome, whether you use CASAS, BurlingtonEnglish, or both.
Registration is free. Lunch, coffee, and donuts provided.
Schedule (subject to change)
9am- 11am: Learn from CASAS’s National Program and Online Training Specialist, Astrid Robitaille and BurlingtonEnglish’s Director of Educational Partnerships Robert Brietbard about the new CASAS Steps Assessment.
11am-12pm: Dig into the English Language Proficiency Standards with JennaRose Dahl and Sherri Quesnel from BurlingtonEnglish.
12pm- 1pm: Lunch
1pm- 3pm: Learn about the new BurlingtonEnglish CASAS materials with Xue Xiong and Olia Tomski from BurlingtonEnglish. Discuss ways to ease student test anxiety and give them the tools they need to be supported.
Questions?
Email JennaRose: jennarose.d@burlingtonenglish.com

Refining Your Teacher Talk
2024-03-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Online
Registration Deadline: FRI. 3/22/24
Many tutors know they should limit their talking time, but struggle to do so. In this webinar, revisit the importance of reducing teacher talking time and learn ways to improve it to maximize learner engagement and comprehension.

Writing Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2024-03-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Online
Registration Deadline: MON. 3/25/24
While most in our society take the ability to write for granted, it can be laborious for ESL learners with little experience with this skill. Attend this webinar to learn about and try out engaging, interactive activities for English Language Learners in Beginning Literacy and Beginning level classes. Ideas for in-person, remote, one-on-one, all-class, as well as low-tech and no-tech options will be covered.
