MN ABE Connect Archive

Recent Newsletter Articles

To “Packet” or Not to “Packet”? That Isn’t the Question.

To “Packet” or Not to “Packet”? That Isn’t the Question.

Many teachers and programs are putting learning packets together right now to mail to students or to have on hand for pickup. However, packets are not a new learning tool in ABE. In this two-part article, we will take a look at learning packets and share some best practices we’ve collected from twenty-five teachers around the state. Read More

ABE Voices Across the Distance: Snapshot of the New Normal from a Beginning Level ESL Teacher

ABE Voices Across the Distance: Snapshot of the New Normal from a Beginning Level ESL Teacher

MN ABE Connect is featuring a series of interviews with Minnesota ABE practitioners on how they are delivering instruction and support during this time. This week, we hear from Amy Van Steenwyk, a Beginning Level teacher working at the Cedar-Riverside Adult Education Collaborative in Minneapolis. Read More

Updates and Information from the Distance Learning Support Team

Updates and Information from the Distance Learning Support Team

The DL Support Team is working to help ABE staff make a successful transition to serving learners online. Read on for resources and updates which can help you and your students be successful in this new and challenging environment. Read More

ABE Voices Across the Distance: Snapshot of the New Normal from Neighborhood House

ABE Voices Across the Distance: Snapshot of the New Normal from Neighborhood House

MN ABE Connect is featuring a series of interviews with Minnesota ABE practitioners on how they are delivering instruction and support during this time. This week, we hear from three teachers working in the Neighborhood House ESL/GED program: Cara Berger, Kaija Bergen, and Eva Moline. Read More

Thinking About Getting an ABE License?  Good News from Hamline!

Thinking About Getting an ABE License? Good News from Hamline!

Heard the rumor?? It’s true! Hamline University is pleased to announce that it’s now offering the ABE initial license (for those who don’t hold a teaching license in another field already). You can start as soon as this summer! Plus, your previous coursework may help you get there sooner. Read More

COVID-19 and Stress Management Tips for ABE Staff

COVID-19 and Stress Management Tips for ABE Staff

The COVID-19 pandemic has created fear and uncertainty in Minnesota and around the world about our safety, health and future which may be impacting people’s mental health. There are many healthy methods to help cope with stress during these uncertain times.  Read More

Virtual CCRS Instructional Leadership Summit: We Got This!

Virtual CCRS Instructional Leadership Summit: We Got This!

Here we are, 6 years into CCRS implementation work in Minnesota! If you are someone who is involved with CCRS leadership in your program (or hope to be), please plan to spend Friday, May 8 with us for the first ever virtual CCRS Instructional Leadership Summit. Spend the day (online!) with us to strengthen your skills to facilitate meetings and workshops and give CCRS guidance to your colleagues. Presenters are CCRS leaders from various contexts and are eager to share their expertise and resources with you! Read More

ABE Voices Across the Distance: Snapshot of the New Normal from a Pre-GED / High-intermediate ESL Teacher

ABE Voices Across the Distance: Snapshot of the New Normal from a Pre-GED / High-intermediate ESL Teacher

Minnesota schools are closed; how are MN ABE educators responding? MN ABE Connect is featuring a series of interviews with Minnesota ABE practitioners on how they are delivering instruction and support during this time. This week, we hear from Jessica Jones, a High Intermediate/Pre-GED teacher working at Open Door Learning Center in St. Paul. Read More

Using Zoom for Teaching or Meeting Virtually? Secure Your Sessions with These Simple Steps

Using Zoom for Teaching or Meeting Virtually? Secure Your Sessions with These Simple Steps

Do you feel like you're scrambling to navigate new online tools as the necessity to move to virtual communication has turned "business as usual" on its head? Are you worried about recent security concerns with various online meeting platforms such as Zoom? Shore up the security of your online meetings with these simple steps. Read More

The 3rd “C” in CCRS – Focusing on Community Right Now

The 3rd “C” in CCRS – Focusing on Community Right Now

College & Career (and Community) Readiness Standards are very much in play right now as we all help our students to navigate this landscape of COVID-19. This article has links to several MN-created math and ELA instructional activities and ideas for how to use them with your own students! Read More