Beyond Basics: Multilevel ESOL Classes (Online Course)
2023-04-06 - 2023-05-17
This course is designed for teachers who want to tackle the challenges of teaching multilevel classes. It is for teachers who want to address the varied learning needs of individual students without planning individual lessons and burning out. It is for teachers who want to become highly effective multi-level classroom teachers by using strategies that work.

LINCS Digital Storytelling for Better Writers
2023-05-25 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
From the LINCS Reading & Writing Community: How can we use multi-media storytelling to build better writers? What role does storytelling have in Adult Basic Education? In this live session on May 25 at 2 PM ET, Laura Porfirio will share an overview of the digital storytelling process and important elements to consider when writing a personal narrative script. We will practice sample writing activities and share resources for accessing existing digital stories as a guide for inspiring more authentic and relevant story sharing in our classes.
Register here for the training, which runs from 2-3:15 p.m. ET.

TSTM: Digital Literacy PLC Wrap Up
2023-05-25 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
This session is for educators who are participating in the Spring 2023 TSTM: Digital Literacy PLC. This session is an opportunity for educators to share how they have been applying the Teaching the Skills that Matter (TSTM) Toolkit and approaches in their own planning and practice.
If you have questions about TSTM or the TSTM: Digital Literacy PLC, contact Hillary Major at VALRC.

LINCS: Supporting Job-Embedded Professional Development for ELA Instructors
2023-06-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Join LINCS to learn how one program teaching English learners is supporting high quality job-embedded professional development for instructors. Laura Smith-Hill will share practical strategies to nurture a team culture among instructors, involve them in collaborative curriculum development, and provide accountability to the most rigorous research available to the field.
Register Here

LINCS Discussion: How Can Writing Improve Reading Comprehension?
2023-06-08
LINCS hosts educator and researcher Charles MacArthur of the University of Delaware for an asynchronous discussion of how writing can improve the reading comprehension of adult education students! Ask your questions on this topic and comment on the recommended strategies for answering questions, taking notes, summarizing, and responding to texts.
Join this special discussion and the LINCS Reading and Writing community.

COABE: NEW MEASURABLE SKILL GAINS MODELS ARE COMING: ARE YOU READY?
2023-06-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Satisfied with current NRS tests? Probably not. Come learn what the future of Measurable Skill Gains assessment looks like. Assessment researchers and leading adult education practitioners will describe how revolutionary new methods are being applied to support the next generation of NRS assessments under a Department of Education project. Skills developed in IET and workplace learning tasks are hard to measure. This webinar will describe how future assessments will be closely aligned to close this gap.
Register Here

LINCS: Learn the Skills Needed to Transform, Personalize, and Empower Learning in the Classroom
2023-06-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
The ISTE Standards for Educator Certification can transform, personalize, and empower learning in the adult education classroom. Join Ginette Chandler of Second Start to consider the challenge and share lessons learned for how to make digital citizenship a positive practice rather than a list of don’ts.
Register Here

VDOE Data Office Hours
2023-06-20 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-06-27 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-07-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-07-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
This session will offer additional technical assistance with end-of-year data reporting.
Register Here

LINCS: Culture in the Adult Education Mathematics Classroom
2023-06-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Join Dr. Carmine Stewart to discuss the importance of acknowledging and valuing students’ diverse cultures and experiences in the mathematics classroom. We’ll explore ways to incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices by using examples and problems that are relevant to students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences, and how to create safe and inclusive learning environments where students feel comfortable sharing.
Register Here

DARS Windmills: Employment Disability Inclusion Training, Assistive Technology and Reasonable Accommodation
2023-06-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
In this interactive exercise, participants are asked to evaluate the potential needs of persons with disabilities and to formulate possible creative solutions. Participants learn the interactive communication process to develop reasonable accommodations.
Register Here

VDOE June Open Conversation
2023-06-26 13:30 - 15:00 | Online
The VDOE team will host a June open conversation about the conclusion of the current year and start of the new year. This is not mandatory.
Use this link to join
Meeting ID: 858 1354 2792
Passcode: [REDACTED]

LINCS: Developing Curriculum Using an Equity Lens (Asynchronous Discussions)
2023-07-10 - 2023-07-15 | Virtual
Discover strategies to develop Adult Education curricula through a robust dialogue with guest experts in the Teaching and Learning, Reading and Writing, Math and Numeracy, Program Management, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Communities of Practice. This round robin discussion will involve multiple groups with a specific focus each day to aid you in developing a solid understanding of connecting standards based instruction that prepares learners for postsecondary education. Follow us every day in a new Community group as participants provide a deep and rich dialogue.

July 10: Join the Teaching and Learning Community to focus on Standards in Action.
July 11: Join the Reading and Writing Community to continue the discussion as our Guest Expert, Leecy Wise, will help define equity as it applies to adult education instruction and encourage a dialogue sharing IET Reading and Writing activities that align with the Standards in Action and focus on Equity in instruction.
July 12: Join the Math and Numeracy Community as Leecy Wise continues the dialogue on sharing math focused Integrated Education and Training activities that are aligned with Standards.
July 13: Join the Program Management Community to discuss oversight of designing curriculum.
July 14: Wrapping up in weeklong discussion in the DEI Community to close the loop on conversations and connect all the pieces to DEI work.

Access Discussions Here

LINCS: COABE Follow-Up for Digital Lit & Tech Strand
2023-07-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Join Rachel Riggs and Nell Eckersley for the conversation started a few months ago at COABE 2023!

How have we navigated new technologies over the years?
What lessons can we carry into the future?
What’s next for Digital Literacy and Technology in the coming year?

Register Here

LINCS: ADVANCE IET Connecting Jail-Based IET Programs to Career Pathways Webinar
2023-07-11 15:30 - 16:30 | Virtual
Representatives from the Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Corrections federal initiative, Michelle Tolbert and Jessie Stadd from RTI International, will share how to partner with jails to design and deliver Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs. They will present an overview of educational programs in jails and describe how jail-based IET programs can connect learners to career pathways as their correctional status changes. Panelists currently offering programs in jails will also share their partnership experiences and lessons learned from IET development and delivery.
Register Here

VDOE July Open Conversation
2023-07-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join an open conversation which will answer questions about this year’s reporting.
Use this link to join
Meeting ID: 898 4096 4263
Passcode: [REDACTED]

LINCS: Supporting Learners with Disabilities
2023-07-19 14:00 - 15:00
Join LINCS for an information-packed hour with Dr. Monica McHale-Small of the Learning Disabilities Association of America. This is an opportunity to learn about an important demographic in adult education–students with disabilities. Dr. McHale-Small will discuss learning disabilities and related disorders, and share strategies and resources to help us support better adult learners.
Register Here

LINCS: What's the Difference Between Professional Development and Technical Assistance?
2023-07-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join LINCS for a discussion on the differences between professional development and technical assistance, and share your take on their characteristics, effectiveness, and more!
Register Here

EdTech: Maker CampGPT (Session 1)
2023-07-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
CampGPT is an engaging opportunity to learn more about generative AI tools. While collaborating with other educators, campers will have the chance to engage in a variety of activities that offer practice with new tools and targeted exploration to see how generative AI can be applied to support teaching and learning. Following the summer camp theme, EdTech will embark on an adventure to see how generative AI can boost creativity (arts & crafts!), save teachers time (show & tell!), and assist in content creation (cooking class!) – all while keeping responsible use of AI in focus (mindfulness!).
Register Here

DARS Windmills: Disability Fact or Fiction
2023-07-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
This diversity disability inclusion module is an exercise wherein participants complete a questionnaire and review their knowledge about disabilities. The goal is to become more comfortable and effective in our workplace interactions with people with disabilities. Participants become aware of respectful etiquette and language for creating a comfortable work environment and they learn the basics of disability employment law.
Register Here

EdTech: Maker CampGPT (Session 2)
2023-07-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual

Summer 2023 Spanish HSE Open Discussion (Session 1)
2023-08-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
This discussion series is a space for discussion and sharing of best practices for supporting Spanish-language HSE preparation.
Register Here

Career Pathways Virtual Meeting
2023-08-15 09:00 - 11:30, 2023-08-17 09:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
The VDOE and VALRC will offer sessions to review and discuss the PY2022-23 data for indicators of IET quality. There will be breakout sessions for networking and sharing of ideas based on industry-specific groups including the topics of credentials; workplace literacy; Types 3, 4 and 5 MSGs; and career coaching.
*Representation from each funded program is mandatory, but not each position is required to attend. We ask that the representatives that can attend take the information back and present to the rest of your IET team.

Summer 2023 Spanish HSE Open Discussion (Session 2)
2023-08-29 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual

Canvas Countdown for Virtual Virginia
2023-09-01 08:00 - 2023-09-29 17:00
The Virginia Department of Education has partnered with Virtual Virginia to develop 9 online courses for adult learners in 3 content areas:

English Language Arts
Mathematics
English Language Acquisition

For each content area, there are 3 courses targeted toward beginning, intermediate, and advanced level learners.
JOIN US for a 4-week lightly facilitated online course to learn all about accessing the virtual courses, building and adapting the courses in Canvas, and providing feedback.
This is a special adult education teachers’ cohort that I (Steven Sproles, Virtual Va) will be facilitating.
The course moves from setting individual user preferences, managing files, and adjusting course settings to help educators manage the course.
Participants will gain knowledge of customizing course homepages, utilizing the rich content editor to enhance assignments, discussions, and quizzes.
Additional resources will be provided to allow the self-paced course to meet the needs of all levels of learners.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the four-week course, teachers will be able to:

Login to their Canvas account
Update their profile/notification settings
Create and edit instructional content (including VVA-authored adult education resource courses)
Create and edit assessments

ProLiteracy: Where Do I Start? Planning the First Month of Lessons with a Low-level ELL Student
2023-09-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
For a new tutor or teacher, getting started with a low-level English language learners can seem overwhelming. They may worry about the first few weeks of lessons when the students speak almost no English. In this webinar, learn what your very first lesson should look like and how to build from there to make your first month of lessons a success for you and your student(s).
Register
This webinar is part of the ProLiteracy Teacher Training Plus Series

VALRC: Reading, Writing, and Relevance: Teaching with Adult Learners’ Published Writing
2023-09-13 15:30 - 16:30
In this webinar, find out how to access SPOTLIGHT, Virginia’s annual publication for writing by adult learners, and The Change Agent adult education magazine for social justice. Gain ideas for using writing by adult learners to teach reading and language skills at multiple levels, as models to guide learners through the writing process, to combat learners’ writing anxieties, and to amplify student voice.
Register here.
