ATLAS ABE

ABE-DevEd Affinity Group
2022-01-14 10:00 - 11:15 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: NONE; please click the Join Zoom link below to join on the day of the meeting:

JOIN ZOOM (the passcode is Partners!)

The ABE-DevEd Affinity Group was established in academic year 2020-21 and will continue in 2021-22, meeting via Zoom. The group consists of Minn State (Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system) faculty and staff, ABE teachers and administrators currently engaged in DevEd classroom partnerships, and educators with an interest to establish successful partnerships.
The group shares effective practices, including the creation of a partnership toolkit, and discusses topics of common interest. The intent of the collaborative work is to increase the quality and quantity of partnerships to improve Dev Ed student outcomes and help students to advance to credit-bearing courses in the most expedient fashion, having gained the confidence and competence to move forward with their higher education goals. This statewide effort is led and funded by the Northwest Transitions Region.
Note: The Affinity Group meeting schedule for 2021-22 includes 5 sessions starting in late September and ending in late April. Each of the five sessions offers two options (same topics) – one on Thursday from 2:00-3:15 pm and one on Friday from 10:00-11:15 am – as follows:

Session One – Sep. 30 or Oct. 1
Session Two – Nov. 18 or 19
Session Three – Jan. 13 or 14
Session Four – Mar. 3 or 4
Session Five – Apr. 21 or 29

In all cases, use this JOIN ZOOM link to join the meeting; the passcode is Partners!
Interested in more Information? Contact Russ Fraenkel, Regional Transitions Coordinator, at rwfraenkel@gmail.com

MN Lunch & Learn: Pronunciation Feature in Burlington English
2022-01-18 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/18/22
In this session, we will explore the speech and pronunciation features in Burlington English. We will go over the Speech Trainer, speech in the Vocabulary Practice, and the tutorials.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

CCRS Support Webinar: Exploring the Power of Math Language Routines
2022-01-18 14:30 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/18/22
Literacy and numeracy are often interwoven, so why do we tend to treat them solely as isolated subjects? Join us for an interactive webinar where we will continue to explore the powerful relationship between literacy and numeracy! We will discuss math language routines that highlight reading, writing and speaking skills as an integral part of the math classroom. During this webinar, participants will get to experience a math language routine as a student, hear from an instructor who has implemented this routine with learners, and discuss the relevance of these routines in different teaching contexts. Whether you identify as a math or literacy instructor, you won’t want to miss this webinar!

Core Training Module 3: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Learners
2022-01-18 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/18/22
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.

ABE Federal Grant Application Informational Webinar
2022-01-19 09:30 - 11:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/18/22
This webinar will go over the ABE Federal Grant Application and address questions from participants about the process. It is open to any eligible Minnesota entity planning to apply for federal ABE funding (as part of a consortium or directly).
About the ABE Federal Grant Application
The Minnesota Department of Education has posted the competitive grant application materials for federal adult education funding. Any entity wanting to receive federal adult education funding from the Minnesota Department of Education must either apply directly or apply as part of a consortium application.
Federal Adult Basic Education Grant Opportunity (Formula FIN 438, CFDA 84.002A-State Fiscal Year 2023) application materials can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website on the grants page: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/DSE/PROD047197
Submit all required application documents to mde.compgrants@state.mn.us by March 25, 2022, 3:30 p.m. Central time.
Questions and Answers
If you have questions about this grant, please email your questions to the MDE Program Representative Neill Allard at neill.allard@state.mn.us by February 11, 2022. Questions and answers will be published on the MDE federal adult education grant posting page (https://education.mn.gov/MDE/DSE/PROD047197) on February 18, 2022.

Tips and Strategies for Adult Education Math Tutors
2022-01-19 10:00 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: WED. 1/19/22
Join us for this interactive session and pick up some ideas that will maximize your impact as a math tutor. This webinar will be appropriate for volunteers assisting a teacher in a math classroom as well as those leading their own classes, small groups or one-to-one sessions. Topics covered will include:

Levels of Math Knowing.
Procedural vs Conceptual Understanding.
Strategies for Fostering Independent Learning.
Asking Facilitating Questions.
Productive Struggle.

Using the New SLEDS ABE Reports
2022-01-20 14:30 - 15:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 1/19/22

Learn how to access and use consortium-specific SLEDS reports about your learners’ achievements before, during and after participating in adult education (ABE).
What is SLEDS? The Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System, SLEDS, bridges relevant data to identify the most viable educational and career pathways for Minnesotans to achieve successful outcomes. It blends data from multiple state agencies and entities.
Minnesota is one of the first states to add Adult Basic Education data to the SLEDS system. A secure report has been developed through EDIAM. This data can help programs demonstrate their effectiveness and make program management decisions. Join us for an overview of the secure report.

Responding to Community Trauma in the Classroom (Part 2 of 2)
2022-01-20 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-01-27 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-02-03 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-02-10 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 Reading Vocabulary Remotely or In Person
2022-01-21 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 1/21/22
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.

MN Lunch & Learn: The Teacher's Zone and the Admin Zone
2022-01-25 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/25/22
In this session, we will cover the different functions of the Teacher’s Zone tile and the Admin Zone tile and what the differences are.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2022-01-25 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/25/22
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.

United States Citizenship & Immigration Services: Adult Citizenship Education Program & Naturalization Test
2022-01-26 14:00 - 15:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/25/22
Join us for the following overviews:

Overview of the USCIS Adult Citizenship Education Program Development Guide
Overview of the U.S. Naturalization Test
Overview of the Citizenship Resource Center
Overview of the Interagency Strategy to Promote Naturalization

Get more information about USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/

Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2022-01-26 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 1/26/22
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.

Language & Literacy Institute 2022 - Virtual Event
2022-01-27 08:30 - 2022-01-28 16:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 1/27/22
If you require ASL interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu
The PROGRAM SCHEDULE contains the daily schedule (also shown below), session descriptions, and presenter biographies.

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2022-01-31 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 1/31/22
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.

Google Suite Webinar Series #1: Introduction and Resources for Educators
2022-02-02 14:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: WED. 2/2/22
In this kickoff to our spring webinar series, participants will get an overview of Google Suite applications and resources for educators. Learn how to become a Google Certified Educator, explore the Google Applied Digital Skills Curriculum and the Northstar Digital Literacy Google Docs modules, and find resources in Google’s Educator Training Center.
Presenters: Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt (Literacy MN), Jason Brazier (Literacy MN), Shari Brunes (Hutchinson ABE)

Core Training Module 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2022-02-02 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 2/2/22
Participants learn about Adult Basic Education programming in Minnesota, demographics of learners, instructional content standards, initial and on-going assessment and other accountability measures.

IET Treasures! Unlocking the Integrated Education and Training (IET) Toolkit
2022-02-03 14:30 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: THU 2/3/22
Heard about IET but don’t know where to start? Interested in offering IET? Come learn how to get started with designing an IET with tools and resources to make the process easier to navigate. The Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) recently announced and released the IET Design Toolkit. The IET Design Toolkit “guides users through a team-based approach to developing customized IET solutions that address the needs of adult learners and local businesses through four iterative phases: Research and Assess, Design and Plan, Develop and Implement, and Evaluate and Improve.” Join us to learn more about utilizing the IET Design Toolkit to further your current IET or to begin an IET in your program. This is the second in a series of webinars focused on Integrated Education and Training (IET) for 2021 – 2022, facilitated by Heather Turngren.
If you require ASL interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan

LGBTQIA+ Topics in ABE Spaces
2022-02-04 10:00 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 2/4/22
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, participants will be invited 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. Erin intends to create a space where participants are welcome but not required to share aspects of their identity or experiences related to the topic.

Refining Your Teacher Talk
2022-02-08 10:00 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/8/22
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.

MN Lunch & Learn: English in America
2022-02-08 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/8/22
In this session, we will be going over the English in America curriculum and how you can teach with this strand along with Burlington Core.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Getting Started with CASAS eTests (Online)
2022-02-08 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: NONE; please click the Join Zoom link below to join on the day of the meeting:

JOIN ZOOM
Meeting ID: 937 44226770
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Please join us virtually on Tuesday, February 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for an interactive presentation on getting started with CASAS eTests for Minnesota agencies. This presentation will cover the following topics:

Understanding basic CASAS eTests terminology
How to add new users (staff members) to eTests/TOPSpro Enterprise
How to add sites to your account
Understanding the CASAS default testing sessions
How to administer CASAS eTests
How to access student performance reports and test records

The presenter will allow plenty of time for questions.
For more information, please contact Marty Olsen at martha.olsen@gmail.com.

Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2022-02-09 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 2/9/22
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.

PELSB Cultural Competency Training - PART 1
2022-02-11 08:30 - 12:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 2/10/22
(This registration is for BOTH February 11 and February 25; you do not need to submit a separate registration for each meeting.)
Eligibility: Minnesota adult education practitioners only

This Cultural Competency training is only open to Minnesota adult educators. Our apologies if you are located outside of Minnesota! Please note that you are welcome to access our Cultural Competency resource library.

There is a great deal more to cultural competency than using the right words or choosing multicultural readings. This training will introduce adult educators to concepts and skills needed to start on the journey to becoming a more culturally competent educator. Per MN Statutes 122A.181 and 122A.182, and MN Administrative Rule 8710.7100, every teacher in Minnesota who is seeking relicensure needs to complete the cultural competency training requirement. This PELSB-approved cultural competency training is aligned to MN Administrative Rule 8710.0310 Subpart 1D and provides Minnesota adult educators the opportunity to learn together through dialogue, activities, and reflective practices. Come join us in advancing your skills and knowledge for a more culturally responsive adult teaching and learning environment. Facilitated by Dr. Rose Wan-Mui Chu and Andrea Echelberger.
Note: This is a two-part training from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm on BOTH February 11 and February 25. You must attend both days in full to meet the PELSB requirement. The training will not be recorded.
If you require ASL Interpretation, please contact Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Dr. Rose Wan-Mui Chu has dedicated her professional life to the tireless pursuit of education equity and excellence for children and youth. Rose brings almost 30 years of rich and diverse cross-sector experiences.
Founder and President of Plum Blossom Strategy LLC, Dr. Chu is an experienced educator and consultant, a fierce advocate for elevating, demystifying and strengthening the teaching profession. Rose has a diverse professional portfolio: such as designing and facilitating community engagement activities or Minnesota state-approved Cultural Competency Training for educators, supporting community based organizations in youth development efforts, and being a thought partner for organizational leaders on systems thinking and systems change.
A first generation immigrant from Hong Kong and a first generation college graduate, Rose’s original Industrial Engineering background and work experience, coupled with her most honored role as a classroom teacher have continued to ground her life’s work in educational reform and transformation. She is professor emerita at Metropolitan State University​, where she has previously been a faculty and department chair at the Urban Teacher Program. Rose also held executive leadership positions as Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, and as interim Dean of Urban Education at Metropolitan State University.
Rose was elected to the school board of the Roseville Area Schools and began her first term in January 2020.

In 2004, Andrea Echelberger began a two-year AmeriCorps position in St. Paul teaching adult refugees and immigrants English, and she’s never looked back. Throughout her teaching career, she has worked with a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and language levels, and while she’s loved every class that she’s taught, literacy level learners are her favorite group to teach. After five years of teaching with Literacy Minnesota, she left in 2013 to work with the U.S. English Language Fellowship program in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Andrea returned in the fall of 2015 to take up a position teaching the Basic English Class at the Open Door Learning Center – Lake Street. In 2016, Andrea became the ESL Training Coordinator at Literacy Minnesota, where she conducts interactive and engaging professional development for Minnesota teachers and tutors. She received her MAESL from Hamline University and holds an ABE Minnesota Teaching License from the University of Minnesota.
Andrea is continuously humbled and inspired by the lessons and stories that she hears from her learners every day, and is passionate about helping the people that she works with develop their voices in English so that they and their families are able to thrive in Minnesota.

MN Lunch & Learn: Career Exploration and Soft Skills
2022-02-15 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/15/22
In this session, we will explore the Career Exploration and Soft Skills curriculum strand and how you might incorporate it in your lessons.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

HyFlex Community of Practice Group
2022-02-15 14:00 - 15:00
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 is 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 next meeting is set for February 15 at 2:30 and 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!

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2022-02-15 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/15/22
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.
