Pre-Conference Sessions
Pre-conference sessions will be either half-day sessions (three hours– morning or afternoon) or full-day sessions (six hours) in length.
Full-Day Pre-Conference
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; $130.00 (includes lunch)
Half-Day Pre-Conference Morning Sessions
8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.; $65.00 (lunch on your own)
Half-Day Pre-Conference Afternoon Sessions
12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.; $65.00 (lunch on your own)
Full-Day Pre-Conference
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; $130.00 (includes lunch)
Half-Day Pre-Conference Morning Sessions
8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.; $65.00 (lunch on your own)
Half-Day Pre-Conference Afternoon Sessions
12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.; $65.00 (lunch on your own)
Full-Day Pre-Conference Sessions: 8:30-11:30 a.m./12:30-3:30 p.m.
Adding Distance Education to Your ABE/ESL Program
This workshop provides an overview of the key issues in visioning, organizing, and implementing distance learning in an ABE/ESL program. Participants will hear from experts and will also have opportunities to begin planning their own distance program and get feedback from others. Workshop format
Lead Presenter: Jerome Johnson, Project IDEAL
Co-Presenter: Crystal Hack, GED-i Project Director, GED-i
Room: Continental Parlor 8
Current Trends and Issues in Professional Development
This session by the Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD) will address three issues in professional development: social justice, job-embedded professional development, and how technology is changing professional development. The social justice discussion will focus on the sources of our students' failure to thrive educationally and how social issues are connected with individual development. The session will feature roundtable discussions on models of job-embedded professional development, including California's Professional Learning Communities initiative, Minnesota's Numeracy Initiative, as well as projects from several other states. In the afternoon, participants will share round table discussions on a variety of technology topics including Twitter and blogging for professional reflection.
Presenters:
*Debra Hargrove, Ed.D., Florida TechNet Director and Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers
*Federico Salas-Isnardi, M.A., Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning, and Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers
Room: Mason A & B
ESL Workforce Models & Processes
This workshop offers participants an opportunity to interact with experts (practitioners, administrators, and researchers) to plan work-based instruction for adults learning English. Models and processes in planning and teaching work-based classes for beginning to advanced English proficiency levels are explored. Resources and handouts are provided. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Blaire Willson Toso, Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
*Miriam Burt, CAELA
*Robin Carvajal, San Diego Community College
*Anne Kirwan, Upwardly Global
*Brigitte Marshall, Oakland Unified School District
*Dr. Heide Spruck-Wrigley, Literacywork International
Room: Powell A & B
Health Literacy in the 21st Century
This training discusses the new broader scope of health literacy, how it enhances teaching language/literacy skills, and how to apply evidence-based instruction techniques while integrating it into ABE/ESOL curricula. We will explore free online resources for classroom use and teacher training, and focus on a new Learner Web course for teachers. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Julie McKinney, Health Literacy Specialist, LINCS Region III Resource Center/World Education, Inc.
*Meg Schofield, Literacy Solutions, Consultant to LINCS Region III Resource Center
*Paul Heavenridge, Executive Director, LINCS Region III Resource Center/Literacyworks
Room: Continental Parlor 2
The New Science of Learning
Academic achievement is the result of two skill sets--cognitive and noncognitive. This session will focus on recent brain research and best practices for building both cognitive and noncognitive skills with specific attention to native and nonnative English speakers, special learning needs, fast-track, and transition programs. Team presentation
Presenter: Laura Weisel, Ph.D., Executive Partner, The TLP Group, Columbus, Ohio
NAASLN Chairperson for Conferences and Partnerships
National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs (NAASLN)
Room: Continental Parlor 3
State Leadership in a Whirlwind of Initiatives
State Leadership in a Whirlwind of Initiatives: Common core standards, teacher quality, rigorous professional development expectations, increased use of technology (computers, Facebook, Twitter) in instruction, transition to postsecondary efforts, integrated education and training/career pathways models, managed intake and managed enrollment models. In this session we will share resources for state staff members who are or will be charged with leading these initiatives. Participants will identify resources to support the initiatives listed above in their states. Through the development of decisions points for a set of initiatives, participants will pre-plan their leadership roles. They will also learn successful experiences from fellow state staff members.
Presenter: Dr. Lennox McLendon, Executive Director, National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium
Room: Continental Parlor 7
Using Social Media Tools in Adult Education
Confused about all the new social networking and media tools? Learn how other adult educators are using Facebook, Twitter, and Wiggio. Find out how to choose between blogs, wikis, and discussion boards. Then, set up your own account in each of these tools and start experimenting with the help of experts! Workshop format
Presenters:
*Tim Ponder, Ohio Literacy Resource Center
*Nell Eckersley, Moderator, LINCS Technology & Distance Learning Discussion List, Literacy Assistance Center
*Branka Marceta, Coordinator of Technology Projects, OTAN
Room: Taylor A
Working to Ensure Retention and Success for Learning
Higher order thinking or metacognitive skills form essential frameworks in the development of 21st century skills, particularly for struggling adult readers and learners with special needs. Participate in hands-on activities to learn to teach to these skills and use the free online CASAS Universal Design for Learning (UDL) curriculum model. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Nancie Payne, President, Payne & Associates, Inc.
*Virginia Posey, Sr. Research Associate, Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS)
Room: Continental Parlor 1
This workshop provides an overview of the key issues in visioning, organizing, and implementing distance learning in an ABE/ESL program. Participants will hear from experts and will also have opportunities to begin planning their own distance program and get feedback from others. Workshop format
Lead Presenter: Jerome Johnson, Project IDEAL
Co-Presenter: Crystal Hack, GED-i Project Director, GED-i
Room: Continental Parlor 8
Current Trends and Issues in Professional Development
This session by the Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers (AALPD) will address three issues in professional development: social justice, job-embedded professional development, and how technology is changing professional development. The social justice discussion will focus on the sources of our students' failure to thrive educationally and how social issues are connected with individual development. The session will feature roundtable discussions on models of job-embedded professional development, including California's Professional Learning Communities initiative, Minnesota's Numeracy Initiative, as well as projects from several other states. In the afternoon, participants will share round table discussions on a variety of technology topics including Twitter and blogging for professional reflection.
Presenters:
*Debra Hargrove, Ed.D., Florida TechNet Director and Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers
*Federico Salas-Isnardi, M.A., Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning, and Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers
Room: Mason A & B
ESL Workforce Models & Processes
This workshop offers participants an opportunity to interact with experts (practitioners, administrators, and researchers) to plan work-based instruction for adults learning English. Models and processes in planning and teaching work-based classes for beginning to advanced English proficiency levels are explored. Resources and handouts are provided. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Blaire Willson Toso, Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
*Miriam Burt, CAELA
*Robin Carvajal, San Diego Community College
*Anne Kirwan, Upwardly Global
*Brigitte Marshall, Oakland Unified School District
*Dr. Heide Spruck-Wrigley, Literacywork International
Room: Powell A & B
Health Literacy in the 21st Century
This training discusses the new broader scope of health literacy, how it enhances teaching language/literacy skills, and how to apply evidence-based instruction techniques while integrating it into ABE/ESOL curricula. We will explore free online resources for classroom use and teacher training, and focus on a new Learner Web course for teachers. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Julie McKinney, Health Literacy Specialist, LINCS Region III Resource Center/World Education, Inc.
*Meg Schofield, Literacy Solutions, Consultant to LINCS Region III Resource Center
*Paul Heavenridge, Executive Director, LINCS Region III Resource Center/Literacyworks
Room: Continental Parlor 2
The New Science of Learning
Academic achievement is the result of two skill sets--cognitive and noncognitive. This session will focus on recent brain research and best practices for building both cognitive and noncognitive skills with specific attention to native and nonnative English speakers, special learning needs, fast-track, and transition programs. Team presentation
Presenter: Laura Weisel, Ph.D., Executive Partner, The TLP Group, Columbus, Ohio
NAASLN Chairperson for Conferences and Partnerships
National Association for Adults with Special Learning Needs (NAASLN)
Room: Continental Parlor 3
State Leadership in a Whirlwind of Initiatives
State Leadership in a Whirlwind of Initiatives: Common core standards, teacher quality, rigorous professional development expectations, increased use of technology (computers, Facebook, Twitter) in instruction, transition to postsecondary efforts, integrated education and training/career pathways models, managed intake and managed enrollment models. In this session we will share resources for state staff members who are or will be charged with leading these initiatives. Participants will identify resources to support the initiatives listed above in their states. Through the development of decisions points for a set of initiatives, participants will pre-plan their leadership roles. They will also learn successful experiences from fellow state staff members.
Presenter: Dr. Lennox McLendon, Executive Director, National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium
Room: Continental Parlor 7
Using Social Media Tools in Adult Education
Confused about all the new social networking and media tools? Learn how other adult educators are using Facebook, Twitter, and Wiggio. Find out how to choose between blogs, wikis, and discussion boards. Then, set up your own account in each of these tools and start experimenting with the help of experts! Workshop format
Presenters:
*Tim Ponder, Ohio Literacy Resource Center
*Nell Eckersley, Moderator, LINCS Technology & Distance Learning Discussion List, Literacy Assistance Center
*Branka Marceta, Coordinator of Technology Projects, OTAN
Room: Taylor A
Working to Ensure Retention and Success for Learning
Higher order thinking or metacognitive skills form essential frameworks in the development of 21st century skills, particularly for struggling adult readers and learners with special needs. Participate in hands-on activities to learn to teach to these skills and use the free online CASAS Universal Design for Learning (UDL) curriculum model. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Nancie Payne, President, Payne & Associates, Inc.
*Virginia Posey, Sr. Research Associate, Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS)
Room: Continental Parlor 1
Half-Day Pre-Conference Morning Sessions: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Effective Advocacy Strategies
Featuring practical strategies for planning and implementing a successful grassroots advocacy program. Join this session to hear how advocates have run successful campaigns to increase funding and save adult education from cuts. Explore effective advocacy strategies and leave with resources and a plan to implement when you return home. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Kathi Medcalf, Past President, Maine Adult Education Association and Director, Sanford Adult and Community Education
*Marsha L. Tait, National Coalition for Literacy Grant Manager
*Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy and Incoming President-Elect, COABE
Room: Continental Parlor 9
Featuring practical strategies for planning and implementing a successful grassroots advocacy program. Join this session to hear how advocates have run successful campaigns to increase funding and save adult education from cuts. Explore effective advocacy strategies and leave with resources and a plan to implement when you return home. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Kathi Medcalf, Past President, Maine Adult Education Association and Director, Sanford Adult and Community Education
*Marsha L. Tait, National Coalition for Literacy Grant Manager
*Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy and Incoming President-Elect, COABE
Room: Continental Parlor 9
First Steps in Preparing Students for College Math
This workshop was developed for LINCS and explores various strategies to prepare adult education students for success in college-level mathematics. Math anxiety, math journals, goal setting, college placement exams, and math labs are some of the topics that will be explored in this interactive session. Workshop format
Presenter: Pamela Meader, LINCS Math Consultant, LINCS
Room: Union Square 9
This workshop was developed for LINCS and explores various strategies to prepare adult education students for success in college-level mathematics. Math anxiety, math journals, goal setting, college placement exams, and math labs are some of the topics that will be explored in this interactive session. Workshop format
Presenter: Pamela Meader, LINCS Math Consultant, LINCS
Room: Union Square 9
Half-Day Pre-Conference Afternoon Sessions: 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Are Our Work Skills Keeping Up?
Today, more than ever before, it is important that we connect the skills that we are teaching to those required by the 21st century workplace. This interactive workshop will provide you with contextualized reading, math, active listening, and soft skill activities and resources that you can implement in your classroom to help your students succeed in today's world of work. Workshop format
Lead Presenter: Bonnie Goonen, Trainer, Education and Training Connections
Co-Presenter: Susan Pittman-Shetler, Trainer, E-Learning Connections
Room: Union Square 5 & 6
Get a Bigger Bang for your Buck—Maximize the Impact of State and National Professional Associations
Join us for an exciting interactive session designed especially for state association board members. Participants will discuss ways to develop and enhance strategic partnerships between state associations and the state office. Additionally, our team of panelists will share their expertise and provide a state of the art presentation for participants which will highlight innovative techniques for grant writing, building your member base, expanding your advocacy reach and much more!
Presenters:
*Sharon Bonney, Owner, Bonney Business Solutions and COABE Manager
*Jeffrey A. Fantine, M.Ed., Senior Project Director, Kratos Learning Solutions
*Lorene James, President CANDO Consulting and COABE Incentive Grant/Scholarship Chair
*Kathi Medcalf, Past President, Maine Adult Education Association and Director, Sanford Adult & Community Education
*Barbara Salice, Professor and COABE Professional Development Chair
*Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy and Incoming President-Elect, COABE
*Andy Tyskiewicz, Capitol Regional Educational Center Director and COABE President
Room: Union Square 3 & 4
Leveraging Social Media for Grassroots Advocacy
Join this hands-on interactive session on using social media to advocate for adult education. Based on new research in adult education, see how to engage social media activists and impact adult education policy on the Hill. Get peer and expert coaching. Develop your own social media strategy you can use to advance your advocacy goals.
Presenters:
* Cheryl Contee, Partner, Fission Strategy
* Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy and Incoming President-Elect, COABE
* Marsha L. Tait, Dollar General Grant Manager, National Coalition for Literacy
* Cassandra M. Brown, Senior Specialist, Communications & Marketing, GED Testing Service
* Laura Porfirio, Civic Program Advanced Program Coordinator, Pima Community College Adult Education
* Regina Suitt, Pima Community College, Advanced Program Manager, Adult Education Services
* John Segota, Director of Advocacy, Standards and Professional Relations, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.
Room: Continental Parlor 9
Managing Managed Enrollment
Mandated to move to managed enrollment? Discover how an adult education program, serving a diverse population in Kentucky, successfully embraced managed enrollment. Learn about their trials and tribulations as the presenters share the challenges, successes, techniques, and data. Participants will receive tools to aid their own program's transition. Team presentation
Presenters:
*Renae Harrison, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Sandra Singleton, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Thomas Dube', Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Phyllis Lynn, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Dian Kelley, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
Room: Union Square 15 & 16
Providing a Clear Path to Successful Job Placement
Current economic conditions require adult education providers to more fully prepare students for transition to employment and career training. Discover how you can support students with limited job experience and education utilizing an employer-driven Workforce Skills Certification System that contextualizes workforce skills training. Team Presentation
Lead Presenter:
*Joan Polster, Senior Associate, Strategic Planning & Policy Implementation, CASAS
Co-Presenters: Alan Lesure, President, Learning Resources Inc.
*Kay Hartley, Principal, Vallejo Adult School, California
*Tricia Ouellette, Instructor, Vallejo Adult School, California
Room: Union Square 19 & 20
Taking ABLE Students Beyond the 5 Paragraph Essay
Students at all levels can benefit from research-based writing instruction. After a brief overview of LINCS and general writing research, participants will learn about LINCS resources to support writing instruction. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and discuss selected resources in-depth and engage in hands-on activities. Team presentation
Presenters:
*Dr. Dianna Baycich, Literacy Projects Coordinator, Ohio Literacy Resource Center, Kent State University
*Drucie Weirauch, Family Literacy specialist for the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy and the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy at Penn State
Room: Union Square 9
Teaching Adult English Language Learners
This interactive workshop will prepare teachers to work effectively with English language learners who have had limited formal schooling. The session will engage participants in research-based, authentic teaching techniques. Hands-on activities will focus on teaching basic literacy skills to teach in age-appropriate ways. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Martha Bigelow, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
*Dr. Susan Finn Miller, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13
Room: Union Square 17 & 18
Tools for Unlocking Texts
When helping students read authentic texts, teachers often work on strategies like guessing from context and using prior knowledge. An often overlooked tool for unlocking meaning in texts is grammar. This workshop gives you text analysis and teaching tools to help students make sense of complex sentences and understand text cohesion. Workshop format
Presenter: Julia Reimer, Associate Professor, Hamline University
Room: Union Square 14
Today, more than ever before, it is important that we connect the skills that we are teaching to those required by the 21st century workplace. This interactive workshop will provide you with contextualized reading, math, active listening, and soft skill activities and resources that you can implement in your classroom to help your students succeed in today's world of work. Workshop format
Lead Presenter: Bonnie Goonen, Trainer, Education and Training Connections
Co-Presenter: Susan Pittman-Shetler, Trainer, E-Learning Connections
Room: Union Square 5 & 6
Get a Bigger Bang for your Buck—Maximize the Impact of State and National Professional Associations
Join us for an exciting interactive session designed especially for state association board members. Participants will discuss ways to develop and enhance strategic partnerships between state associations and the state office. Additionally, our team of panelists will share their expertise and provide a state of the art presentation for participants which will highlight innovative techniques for grant writing, building your member base, expanding your advocacy reach and much more!
Presenters:
*Sharon Bonney, Owner, Bonney Business Solutions and COABE Manager
*Jeffrey A. Fantine, M.Ed., Senior Project Director, Kratos Learning Solutions
*Lorene James, President CANDO Consulting and COABE Incentive Grant/Scholarship Chair
*Kathi Medcalf, Past President, Maine Adult Education Association and Director, Sanford Adult & Community Education
*Barbara Salice, Professor and COABE Professional Development Chair
*Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy and Incoming President-Elect, COABE
*Andy Tyskiewicz, Capitol Regional Educational Center Director and COABE President
Room: Union Square 3 & 4
Leveraging Social Media for Grassroots Advocacy
Join this hands-on interactive session on using social media to advocate for adult education. Based on new research in adult education, see how to engage social media activists and impact adult education policy on the Hill. Get peer and expert coaching. Develop your own social media strategy you can use to advance your advocacy goals.
Presenters:
* Cheryl Contee, Partner, Fission Strategy
* Jackie Taylor, Advocacy Chair, National Coalition for Literacy and Incoming President-Elect, COABE
* Marsha L. Tait, Dollar General Grant Manager, National Coalition for Literacy
* Cassandra M. Brown, Senior Specialist, Communications & Marketing, GED Testing Service
* Laura Porfirio, Civic Program Advanced Program Coordinator, Pima Community College Adult Education
* Regina Suitt, Pima Community College, Advanced Program Manager, Adult Education Services
* John Segota, Director of Advocacy, Standards and Professional Relations, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.
Room: Continental Parlor 9
Managing Managed Enrollment
Mandated to move to managed enrollment? Discover how an adult education program, serving a diverse population in Kentucky, successfully embraced managed enrollment. Learn about their trials and tribulations as the presenters share the challenges, successes, techniques, and data. Participants will receive tools to aid their own program's transition. Team presentation
Presenters:
*Renae Harrison, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Sandra Singleton, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Thomas Dube', Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Phyllis Lynn, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
*Dian Kelley, Hardin County Adult and Community Education
Room: Union Square 15 & 16
Providing a Clear Path to Successful Job Placement
Current economic conditions require adult education providers to more fully prepare students for transition to employment and career training. Discover how you can support students with limited job experience and education utilizing an employer-driven Workforce Skills Certification System that contextualizes workforce skills training. Team Presentation
Lead Presenter:
*Joan Polster, Senior Associate, Strategic Planning & Policy Implementation, CASAS
Co-Presenters: Alan Lesure, President, Learning Resources Inc.
*Kay Hartley, Principal, Vallejo Adult School, California
*Tricia Ouellette, Instructor, Vallejo Adult School, California
Room: Union Square 19 & 20
Taking ABLE Students Beyond the 5 Paragraph Essay
Students at all levels can benefit from research-based writing instruction. After a brief overview of LINCS and general writing research, participants will learn about LINCS resources to support writing instruction. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and discuss selected resources in-depth and engage in hands-on activities. Team presentation
Presenters:
*Dr. Dianna Baycich, Literacy Projects Coordinator, Ohio Literacy Resource Center, Kent State University
*Drucie Weirauch, Family Literacy specialist for the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy and the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy at Penn State
Room: Union Square 9
Teaching Adult English Language Learners
This interactive workshop will prepare teachers to work effectively with English language learners who have had limited formal schooling. The session will engage participants in research-based, authentic teaching techniques. Hands-on activities will focus on teaching basic literacy skills to teach in age-appropriate ways. Workshop format
Presenters:
*Martha Bigelow, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
*Dr. Susan Finn Miller, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13
Room: Union Square 17 & 18
Tools for Unlocking Texts
When helping students read authentic texts, teachers often work on strategies like guessing from context and using prior knowledge. An often overlooked tool for unlocking meaning in texts is grammar. This workshop gives you text analysis and teaching tools to help students make sense of complex sentences and understand text cohesion. Workshop format
Presenter: Julia Reimer, Associate Professor, Hamline University
Room: Union Square 14
Pre-Conference Formats
Pre-conference sessions will be presented in the following formats:
Panel Discussions: At least three presenters, each with a unique perspective on a topic, will use approximately ½ of the session to present their views. Participants will have open discussion, moderated by the lead presenter, for the remainder of the session.
Lecture Presentation: One presenter will utilize approximately 2/3 of the session to deliver information to the participants. The remaining 1/3 of the session will be devoted to interaction between the presenter and the participants.
Team Presentations: Two (or more) presenters will share information in an informal style, involving participants throughout the session. This format is suited well to demonstrations of learning tools, assessment strategies, etc.
Workshop Format: The presenter(s) will provide hands-on activities, demonstrations, development of materials, and/or application of practice.
Panel Discussions: At least three presenters, each with a unique perspective on a topic, will use approximately ½ of the session to present their views. Participants will have open discussion, moderated by the lead presenter, for the remainder of the session.
Lecture Presentation: One presenter will utilize approximately 2/3 of the session to deliver information to the participants. The remaining 1/3 of the session will be devoted to interaction between the presenter and the participants.
Team Presentations: Two (or more) presenters will share information in an informal style, involving participants throughout the session. This format is suited well to demonstrations of learning tools, assessment strategies, etc.
Workshop Format: The presenter(s) will provide hands-on activities, demonstrations, development of materials, and/or application of practice.
