ATLAS ABE

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: Progress and Reports
2023-11-28 12:30 - 13:15 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/28/23
In this session, we will explore how to use the Progress component in Burlington Core and also how to run the different reports available to you.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.

Core Training Module 4: Instructional Best Practices: Working with Materials
2023-11-28 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 11/28/23
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.

Ability to Benefit: An Introductory Overview
2023-11-29 14:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: NONE; please click the Join Webinar link below to join on the day of the webinar:

JOIN WEBINAR: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/99072444305

Meeting ID: 990 7244 4305

This webinar will provide an overview of Ability to Benefit. Ability to Benefit is a federal financial aid rule that allows students without a high school diploma (or an equivalent like a GED diploma or home school diploma) to qualify for financial aid, if they prove they have the “ability to benefit” from a college education.

Exploring the HiSET
2023-11-29 14:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: WED. 11/29/23
An informative webinar designed for educators, support staff, and program personnel who are interested in learning about the HiSET exam and how to navigate the HiSET website. During the one hour webinar, topics that will be covered will include an introduction, test structure, how to register and schedule, study preparation and resources, and a walk through the website.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices for Adult Learners
2023-11-29 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 11/29/23
Learning new languages and skills as an adult is a challenge for most people, and that challenge grows when trauma and stress are present. Trauma and chronic stress can come in many forms, and impact people’s ability to learn new skills and process information in a variety of different ways. In this webinar, learn how stress and trauma can manifest in the adult education classroom, and learn about healing-centered teaching practices that can help to support positive learning behaviors and increase retention and learner comfort.

Hot Topics in Post-Secondary Partnerships Webinar
2023-11-30 13:00 - 14:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 11/30/23
The Times They Are A-Changin’, a wise Minnesotan once said! Maybe you have worked with local colleges a long time, or maybe you are new to this corner of adult education. Come to this webinar regardless, because some changes are afoot! We’ll tackle hot topics in post secondary partnerships including Ability to Benefit, self guided placement and the co-requisite model for Developmental Education. Not sure what those are?! Not to worry! ABE practitioners will share successes and challenges in their college partnership work, and we’ll have time for questions and discussion. Don’t think twice, it’s all right… Just join us on November 30!
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

Articulate the purpose of and how to access Ability to Benefit as a postsecondary resource
Identify the shift toward Guided Self Placement in MN State system and its impact on adult education students and educators
Identify trends and challenges in Co-requisite Models in MN State course offerings and opportunities and puzzles in co-teaching with ABE

If you require ASL Interpretation, please email Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu

Low-Literacy Adult ESL Study Circle
2023-12-01 13:00 - 16:00
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRI. 10/20/23 (registration is now closed)

The Low-Literacy Adult ESL Study Circle I is for teachers of low-literate Adult Basic Education ESL students – those learners with little or no first-language literacy. With a special focus on reading development for these learners, teachers explore relevant research and its implications for best practices in the classroom.
Like our other language instruction study circles, it involves reading a selection of relevant research and completing various classroom-based reflection. During the 3 meetings of 3 hours each, participants discuss the readings and tasks and explore together how research can inform classroom practice.
This fall the study circle will be facilitated by Andrea Echelberger from Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program.
Find out more about the Low-Literacy Adult ESL Study Circle >>
DATES: ALL ARE VIRTUAL ZOOM EVENTS!

Friday, October 27, 1-4 pm
Friday, November 10, 1-4 pm
Friday, December 1, 1-4 pm

Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2023-12-04 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 12/4/23
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.

Cultivating Mathematical Literacy for English Language Learners
2023-12-05 14:30 - 16:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 12/5/23
Wait, I’m not a math teacher! I want to incorporate numeracy into my ESL classroom, but where do I even start?! How do I effectively address literacy and numeracy at the same time? Join Cindy Schultz and Meagan Hymes as they offer insights into these very real questions. You will get to see and experience routines that they have used with their ESL students in addition to hearing an administrator perspective on the hows and whys of supporting numeracy in language classrooms.

2023 VIRTUAL Literacy Volunteer Management Conference
2023-12-08 08:30 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: THU. 12/7/23
The Volunteer Management Conference (VMC) is a one-day professional development opportunity that brings together Adult Basic Education staff who work with volunteers: coordinators, teachers and managers alike. This year, the conference will be virtual, on Zoom.

Event Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Cost: Free for participants in Minnesota; $20 for participants outside of Minnesota
The deadline to register is December 7, 2023.

Get Ready To:

Learn new strategies and ideas through 12 concurrent session offerings.
Get practical resources you can use right away.
Be inspired by this year’s award winners for Excellence in Volunteer Engagement.
Network and share your professional wisdom with colleagues.
Earn CEUs.

Questions? Contact Sophie at sphan@literacymn.org or 651-251-9063.

Tips and Strategies for Adult Education Math Tutors
2023-12-11 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: MON. 12/11/23
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.

Racial Equity 201 with Jimmie Heags
2023-12-11 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 12/11/23
Please note, it is recommended that you take any basic diversity, equity and inclusion class or training before you take this session, but it is not required.
This class will define and explore the origins of the white supremacy class and caste systems in the United States and the racial trauma caused as a result of these systems. The session will provide learners with a mental model for understanding and disrupting white supremacy classism and its impact on mental health. Participants will be introduced to mindfulness activities discussed in Resmaa Menakem’s book My Grandmother’s Hands for processing internalized racial embodied reflexes and trauma.
Learning Objectives:

Explore global caste systems of oppressions.
Define and explore the origins of the white supremacy class and caste system in America.
Examine the origins of internalized racial reflexes and trauma.
Develop a mental model for disrupting class systems of oppression.
Practice mindfulness activities for processing internalized racial embodied reflexes and trauma.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Recorded Webinar Training – DEADLINE
2023-12-15
Registration Deadline: EXTENDED – FRI. 12/15/23
Universal Design for Learning is an approach that minimizes barriers and maximizes learning for all students. Based on scientific insights into how humans learn, UDL can help refine why you teach, what you teach and how you teach.
Training details:

Recorded UDL Webinar
Access to the recording will be available throughout the month of January. Take it at your own pace, at your convenience! Viewing the webinar and stopping to do some recommended activities should take approximately one to two hours.
Classroom Implementation Assignment
The assignment enriches the training and involves implementing UDL principles into your teaching practice and classroom. A short reflection paper about your experience is required. The assignment is due in February.
Follow-up Live Webinar
Participate in a one-hour live webinar to share what you learned with other UDL participants. The live webinar occurs in March.
Upon Successful Completion
Sixteen CEUs intended to address the re-licensure area of Positive behavior interventions and accommodating, modifying, and adapting curriculum, materials and strategies will be awarded upon completion.\n
ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED; don’t wait to register!

Reading Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2023-12-15 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 12/15/23
Teaching and tutoring very beginning level ESL readers can be intimidating for volunteers and professional teachers alike. Attend this webinar to get practical activities and ideas for one-on-one, remote and in-person instruction with tech and no-tech options. Leave feeling ready to provide your learners with meaningful and effective reading activities.

More than Alphabet Soup: ACES/TIF 2.0 Lessons and Strategies (Part 1)
2024-01-11 13:00 - 14:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 1/11/24
Event Description: All the many Adult Education acronyms can feel like swimming in alphabet soup! Join Stephanie Sommers and Carly Voshell to learn more about ACES (Academic, Career and Employability Skills), which are part of the MN ABE Content Standards, and the TIF (Transitions Integration Framework). We will explore 2023 TIF 2.0 revisions and lessons that align to three of the ACES categories: effective communication, learning strategies and critical thinking. These lessons are ready-to-use and available now on the ATLAS website. No matter what level you teach, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of ACES-TIF and some fresh ideas for integrating these important skills into instruction.
Note: This is part 1 of an ACES-TIF webinar series that continues on Feb 15, but you can come to one or both! Register for Part 2 here >>
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

Understand how ACES skills can be implemented at various levels and educational settings
Articulate TIF 2.0 revisions involving DEI and social emotional learning
Locate lessons on ACES categories available on the ATLAS website

Working with Literacy and Beginning Level ESL Learners
2024-01-12 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: FRI. 1/12/24
Learners with limited English and literacy skills have unique needs for in-person and remote instruction. Participants will learn best practices and tips for success at this level. They’ll also get several ideas for routines, activities and resources to use in their classes and tutoring sessions.

Volunteer Core Training Module 2: Understanding Adult Learners
2024-01-17 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: WED. 1/17/24
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.

Tips and Strategies for Online Instruction
2024-01-22 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 1/22/24
During the early days of the pandemic, remote instruction was a necessary evil that many begrudgingly endured. But as the options for in-person instruction opened up, many learners chose to continue to learn in an online environment. Join this session to learn and see modeled tips and strategies for teaching and tutoring online, and determine how to bring them back to your context. This session is appropriate for educators working with both English language learners and adult education students. (Note: This session does not include technical how-to skills for using Zoom or other platforms.)

Developing and Practicing Reading Fluency
2024-01-23 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/23/24
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.

HSE Testing Coffee Talk Series
2024-01-23 13:30 - 14:30
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

Update ABE Hotline information on SiD
2024-01-24 13:00 - 14:00
Registration deadline: WED. 1/24/24
If you’re a new program coordinator or teacher, or just need a refresher on updating your program classes and information, this training is for you! Literacy Minnesota is partnering up with SiD to show you how to update the your information in SiD. he hotline page is an essential resource as the first point of contact for students and learners to connect with an ABE program in their area. This training is for new ABE staff who uses SiD to update program service, and any other staff that needs a refresher for updating program information in SiD. This training is free for all Minnesota ABE staff.

Language & Literacy Institute 2024 - VIRTUAL
2024-01-25 08:30 - 15:30, 2024-01-26 08:00 - 16:00
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: THU. 1/25/24
NOTE: You must register for EACH day in order to receive the Zoom Join link and Flyer. The Flyer has all of the join links for the afternoon sessions and will be provided to all registrants the week of Jan. 22.

Day 1 – Thu. 1/25/24 – REGISTER >>

Day 2 – Fri. 1/26/24 – REGISTER >>

If you require ASL Interpretation, please email Gail Rutan at grutan01@hamline.edu
PROGRAM SCHEDULE (includes complete session descriptions and presenter biographies)

KEYNOTE – DAY ONE – Thursday, January 25, 2024: Creating a Healing-Centered Environment through Cultivating Educator Resilience
Since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an increased interest and awareness of mental health and the impact of stress and trauma. However, as educators there is a persistent focus on the health and wellbeing of learners rather than ourselves. Research has shown us that we cannot have a healing or trauma-informed learning environment without our own wellness and self-awareness. Join us as we dive into the impact of stress, trauma, and compassion fatigue on all professionals and organizations in adult education. We will define the different types of compassion fatigue, the trauma re-enactment triangle, and parallel process and discuss what we can do to build our resilience and foster our own wellness.
Lucille Rosario, MSW, LICSW, is the Supervisor of Special Services for the Brooklyn Center Community School District, a community faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, Senior Fellow at the Minnesota Institute for Trauma Informed Education, and runs her own supervision, professional development, and consulting business. Previously, Lucille has worked as a clinician/therapist, trainer, and leader in the social work, education, and mental health fields with a specialization in trauma, healing, gender based violence, and anti-racist practice. She has developed and run programs focused on youth development, healthy relationships, family violence, parenting, trauma, mental health, and nutrition in Mexico, South Bronx, Minnesota. She recently worked as a School Social Worker in a specialized high school program working with students that had severe emotional and behavioral challenges. In this position she served on the district Trauma Leadership Team, Mental Health Task Force, Equity Leadership Team, and Alternatives to Suspension and Restorative Practices Committee where she worked to create healing and equitable educational environments. Lucille has her Bachelors in Social Work from St. Olaf College and her Masters of Social Work from Columbia University in New York City. She is currently working towards an Ed.D. in Leadership in Educational Administration at Bethel University in Minnesota.
KEYNOTE – DAY TWO – Friday, January 26, 2024: Reading, Writing, and Thinking Across the Curriculum: Strategies for Success

In our ever-evolving world, critical reading, effective writing, and analytical thinking across content areas are essential components of success. How can we help our adult learners to develop these sustainable lifelong learning skills? Join us to explore a diverse range of materials, writing tasks, and analytical exercises that will equip our students with the necessary tools to thrive and excel in today’s dynamic landscape, fostering their continual growth and success.
Lizelena Iglesias is the Director of Adult Literacy Professional Development Services at the Literacy Assistance Center. Currently, Lizelena provides training and coaching for adult and youth educators in best practices in adult basic education and high school equivalency instruction. Lizelena has developed curricula for the Queens Public Library TASC Transition Curriculum project, developed and co-facilitated the Foundations of Adult Education course and the Culturally Responsive Adult Education Institute at the Literacy Assistance Center. She has presented at national, state, and regional conferences and is an active member of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the International Literacy Association (ILA). Lizelena is also a national trainer and the science community moderator for the national LINCS project.
Daily Schedule:

Thu. January 25, 2024

Fri. January 26, 2024

8:30-8:45
Announcements
8:30-8:45
Announcements

8:45-9:45
Keynote Part I
8:45-9:45
Keynote Part I

9:45-10
Break
9:45-10
Break

10-11:00
Keynote Part II
10-11:00
Keynote Part II

11-11:15
Break
11-11:15
Break

11:15-12
Keynote Reflection
11:15-12
Keynote Reflection

12-12:45
Lunch
12-12:45
Lunch

12:45-2
Workshop 1 (75 min)
12:45-2
Workshop 3 (75 min)

2:00-2:15
Break
2:00-2:15
Break

2:15-3:30
Workshop 2 (75 min)

2:15-3:30
Workshop 4 (75 min)

Graduate Credit
Are you interested in earning graduate credit through Hamline University? If so, attend BOTH days of the Institute and complete a follow-up assignment, and you can earn 1 elective graduate credit at a reduced rate! Register HERE.
Check out the syllabus and register for BOTH days above. A description of the follow-up assignment is on p. 4 of the syllabus. Learn more about ABE licensure at Hamline here: https://atlasabe.org/news/considering-that-abe-license-see-what-hamline-has-to-offer/

Understanding the Somali People: History, Culture and Migration to Minnesota Presented by CAIR-MN
2024-01-30 13:00 - 15:00
Registration Deadline: TUE. 1/30/24
Presenter: Jaylani Hussein is currently the executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN). Hussein worked as the Community Liaison Officer at Metro State University and as a Planner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. In 2013, he created Zeila Consultants to develop and offer cross-cultural training workshops on East African cultures. Hussein has presented on the Somali Culture to diverse public and private organizations across the US. He specializes in the areas of urban planning, community development, youth development (with over 8 years’ experience in working in juvenile treatment centers for court adjudicated youth), legal and civil rights.
Description: Somalis are estimated to be the largest African immigrant group in Minnesota with approximately 75,000-100,000 residing in the state (source: McKnight Foundation).
This training covers:

Pre- and post-modern history of the Somali people.
Culture.
Migration to Minnesota.
Cultural gaps between the Somali and American communities.
Recommendations for outreach to Somali community members.

DevEd-ABE Partner Affinity Group Meeting
2024-02-01 14:00 - 15:15, 2024-02-02 10:00 - 11:15
No registration necessary: Contact Russ Fraenkel, rwfraenkel@gmail.com, to receive the direct Zoom link.
February 2024 dates:

February 1 from 2:00-3:15pm
February 2 from 10:00-11:15am

NOTE: The meetings on February 1 and 2 cover the same topics. Participants have the option to attend either one of the similar sessions.
All are welcome to participate in the engaging presentations and discussions of the DevEd-ABE Partner Affinity Group. This year, the Affinity Group’s 75-minute virtual meetings (in November, February, and April) will focus attention on the co-req classroom format within Guided Learning Pathways. Minnesota State campuses are required to implement the co-req format in stages of partial implementation to full implementation by fall 2026.
Affinity Group background
2023-24 marks the fourth academic year in which Minnesota State Developmental Education and Adult Basic Education teachers and administrators join ranks to ensure college enrolled students are academically ready for the rigors of credit-bearing coursework at Minnesota State campuses. Many students are in need of additional math, English, organization, navigation, and study skills to thrive in college. The DevEd-ABE Affinity Group was formed three years ago to focus on the effectiveness of new and existing classroom partnerships to support Dev Ed enrolled students. To this end, numerous tools and resources have been created and utilized.
Contact Russ Fraenkel, rwfraenkel@gmail.com, for further information.

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics
2024-02-01 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: THU. 2/1/24
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.

Antiracist Praxis Study Circle
2024-02-02 15:00 - 17:00
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 1: Overview of Minnesota Adult Education and Program Accountability
2024-02-05 18:30 - 20:30
Registration Deadline: MON. 2/5/24
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.

Burlington English Lunch and Learn: How to Lead Student Orientations for Your Own Class
2024-02-06 12:30 - 13:15
Registration Deadline: TUE. 2/6/24
In this session, we will go over tools and resources for how you can lead your own student orientations for your class/program when onboarding new students to using Burlington English. We will go over important features to focus on and common Q&As.
NOTE: Attendees must have current login credentials for their BE account.
