VALRC

VAACE
2024-10-21 - 2024-10-23
Save the dates! This year’s annual VAACE conference will be in person in Charlottesville, Virginia. Check back often for updates!

GEDTS Tuesdays for Teachers: Critical Reading and the RLA Extended Response
2024-10-22 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Previous Tuesdays for Teachers sessions on the GED® RLA Extended Response have focused on many aspects of writing including grammar skills, the writing process, and creating effective arguments. Yet the extended response is just as much a reading task as it is a writing one.
In this session, participants will discover strategies for critically reading the source text arguments and using a T-chart to gather evidence. Participants will also learn an effective method for analyzing evidence and where to find other resources to help students practice this task. There will be time at the end to process thoughts and pose questions.
Register here for October’s webinar.
Tuesdays for Teachers is GEDTS’ free professional development series designed for educators. This bi-monthly series takes a deeper dive into classroom strategies and techniques for the GED® test. Find previous webinar recordings on ged.com.

LINCS: Introducing Navigating Today’s Media: A ProLiteracy Student-Facing Course
2024-10-23 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Get ready for Media Literacy Week (October 21-25, 2024) with ProLiteracy’s new course, “Navigating Today’s Media.” Join our guest presenter, Maribel Ojeda, ProLiteracy Director of Professional Development to learn how this course equips adult learners with the essential skills to navigate the complex media landscape. Students will learn how to define media, analyze messages, recognize perspective, evaluate sources, and share media responsibly.
Register Now

International Literacy Association: Differentiating Phonics Instruction to Support All Learners
2024-10-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
Differentiation in education is crucial for meeting the diverse needs of students, particularly in the early years of building foundational knowledge. Join Wiley Blevins in this ILA Webinar, where participants will explore innovative strategies to adapt and scaffold phonics instruction for all learners, ensuring access to grade-level content for every student.
Register Here

LINCS: How West Coast Higher Education Institutions are Removing Barriers to Correctional Education
2024-10-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
The Office of Correctional Education in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) invites you to participate in the Correctional Education Professional Learning Series. This series focuses on delivering relevant, engaging, and innovative experiences where participants learn about strategies, techniques, initiatives, and programs that advance the educational opportunities and outcomes of confined, incarcerated, and justice-involved individuals. The series will include diverse sessions that discuss existing and emerging policies, practices, and resources that provide incarcerated and justice-involved individuals with advanced correctional education opportunities that offer seamless transition processes to postsecondary education or training.
Register Now

LINCS: Media Literacy, Making Sense of It All
2024-10-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Media literacy education provides tools to help people develop receptive media capability to critically analyze messages, offers opportunities for learners to broaden their experience of media, and helps them develop generative media capability to increase creative skills in making their own media messages.
Register Here

Literacy Minnesota: Comprehension Strategies for Intermediate-Level Readers
2024-10-29 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual

Literacy Minnesota: Reading Activities for Beginning Literacy and Beginning English Language Learners
2024-11-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
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.
Register Here

LINCS: Taking a Multilingual Approach to English Language Acquisition Instruction and Program Design
2024-11-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Everyone knows being bi- or multilingual is a wonderful asset! How can adult English Language teachers create the opportunity for English learners to draw upon their primary language to support learning English?
Join the guest presenters, Xavier Muñoz, Director of Academic Programs and Student Services, The English Empowerment Center, Katie Donoviel, Executive Director, English Skills Learning Center, and Alexis Cherewka, Senior Technical Advisor, World Education to learn ways to design and implement a multilingual approach with adult English learners. The presenters will address misconceptions about multilingualism and feature examples of effective strategies. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on how to adapt these ideas to their own context.
Register Here

edWeb: 5 Practical Strategies Connecting Science of Reading to Science of Writing
2024-11-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
The number one concern of almost all teachers is time. So how can we fit everything that literacy research shows to be positive for students into our already busy school days?
Join literacy experts Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift and Leah Mermelstein in this engaging edWebinar as they explore effective handwriting, spelling, and writing strategies that save instructional time and enhance literacy learning. You’ll learn how to seamlessly integrate these vital components to help students become automatic, engaged, and fluent writers and readers, and leave with practical routines and practices to boost engagement and skill integration.
Register Here

Career Pathways PLC #2
2024-11-07 13:00 - 14:30
The second installment of the 3-part 90-minute Professional Learning Community (PLC) series (2nd of 3) for ALL IET, IELCE, workplace literacy, and workforce development practitioners. This PLC will focus on targeted topics related to program design, using data to communicate needs and successes, locating and adapting instructional materials for all skill levels, and engaging employers and other partners to secure supportive services for all learners. Breakouts will focus on targeted topics for specific types of career pathways programming. Details and guest speakers will be announced on the listservs and on the Event Calendar.

LINCS: An Open Discussion Coffee Break
2024-11-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Virtual
Adult educators say they seldom have the chance to talk with their colleagues in a relaxed setting. This open discussion, facilitated by LINCS Moderators Steve Schmidt (LINCS Community Reading and Writing Group) and Erin Vobornik (LINCS Community Teaching and Learning Group) will provide adult educators an opportunity to talk with your professional colleagues about adult education issues in a relaxed setting.
Come prepared to share and learn challenges, successes and valuable resources you use in the classroom. This session rests on the premise that “none of us is as smart as all of us.”
Register Here

Learn About SPOTLIGHT
2024-11-07 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
This webinar will provide an over of the SPOTLIGHT publication, with information for teachers, tutors, and program administrators about how their learners can be part of our next issue. Educators interested in SPOTLIGHT, teaching writing, and elevating adult learners’ voices should attend.
Register here.

EdTech Strategy Session: Digital Tools for Integrated Education and Training (Sponsored by Ellii)
2024-11-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Join EdTech every month on the second Friday to hear practical strategies and innovative approaches to the use of educational technology and the implementation of digital inclusion in education. Each EdTech Strategy session includes:

two lightning talks
a breakout room for small group discussion

Register Here

LINCS: Tribal Cultural Services and Support: Responsive Approach Working with Indigenous Individuals with Disabilities
2024-11-12 16:15 - 17:15 | Virtual
Join the guest speakers, Wendy Parent-Johnson, Executive Director of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center and Professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, and R. Joshua Drywater, Training and Technical Assistance Associate at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for a discussion of the cultural considerations of working with learners with disabilities from native and indigenous communities. Wendy and Joshua will share best practices for supporting full inclusion of learners in their education, as well as culturally sensitive strategies and resources for supporting access and providing accommodations.
Register Here

Literacy Minnesota: Teaching Reading Vocabulary
2024-11-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
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.
Register Here

VALRC: Disabilities and the Adult Learner Webinar Series, Session 2: Instructional strategies for working with adults with disabilities
2024-11-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Disabilities can occur across the lifespan, affecting academic performance, work, and daily living. Individuals with disabilities can have challenges with learning but can exhibit strengths in some areas. This session will provide instructional strategies for working with adults with disabilities, with a focus on incorporating evidence-based strategies into reading instruction.
Register

Switchboard: Bridging the Gap: Strategies and Insights for the Career Advancement of Internationally Educated Newcomers
2024-11-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Join this insightful webinar on supporting internationally educated newcomers in navigating career pathways in the U.S. World Education Services (WES), a nationally recognized credential evaluation agency, will facilitate a discussion alongside grantees of ORR’s Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) program in Idaho. Speakers will discuss how RCP-funded programs are supporting internationally educated ORR-eligible clients by helping them navigate career pathways that leverage their existing education, skills, and experiences.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how skill underutilization impacts refugees and immigrants, as well as learn about federally funded programmatic solutions that seek to promote successful outcomes for internationally educated newcomers.
Register Here

VALRC: Differentiated Science of Reading Instruction for Multilingual Learners
2024-11-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Do you want to tackle the challenges of teaching multilevel ESOL classes? Are you looking to address the varied learning needs of individual students within one classroom and become an effective multi-level teacher?
This session will focus on ways to provide differentiated instruction to multilingual learners, with a focus on incorporating alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Participants will engage in hands-on activities from the perspective of a learner. Activities will include examples of and materials for differentiating learning content, process, and product.
Register Here

LINCS: ALL IN: Understanding Access to Adult Literacy Skills
2024-11-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Literacy is critical to greater equity for adults and families. It enables the power to communicate, access resources and opportunities, and make informed decisions about health, children’s education, and civic engagement, for example. Join the LINCS PD CoP with guest Sarah Cacicio of the Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network to glean insights from new market research to understand the diverse lived experiences and perspectives of adults who struggle with literacy, generating innovative, cross-sector solutions.
Register Here

2024 Families Learning Conference
2024-11-18 - 2024-11-20 | LOUISVILLE MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN, 280 W Jefferson St, Louisville, KY, United States
WHO ATTENDS THE FAMILIES LEARNING CONFERENCE?

Educators and teachers
School administrators
Librarians
Community program staff
Literacy practitioners
Literacy coalition members
Researchers
Policymakers
Funders

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM ATTENDING:

→ Innovative learning strategies and resources
→ Practices to create equitable learning experiences
→Cutting-edge research in family learning
→Exposure to a national network and community
→ Inspiration from industry experts and learners

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ATTEND OUR CONFERENCE?
Engaging families in education is integral to achieving greater literacy and learning outcomes for families, higher attendance rates for children, and overall positive benefits to communities. The Families Learning Conference is laser-focused on best practices and innovative strategies for engaging families in educational settings with an emphasis on equity and inclusivity.

Register Here

Bimonthly Program Managers Meeting
2024-11-18 13:30 - 15:30
This year’s bimonthly program managers meetings will be held on Mondays at 1:30p – 3:00p with an optional 30 minutes for discussion. Registering once will enable you to join ALL of the meetings for the 2024 – 2025 year.
Please save these dates on your calendars for the meetings:

September 16
November 18
January 13
March 17 (wear green!)
May 12

Register here

Career Coaching #1: Creating Follow-Up Programs for 1 Year+ After Completion
2024-11-19 15:00 - 16:00
VAACE Career Coaching Virtual CoP Session #1: Tues Nov. 19th 3-4 PM Eastern
Creating Follow-Up Programs for 1 Year+ After Completion: This focuses on maintaining engagement with participants after program completion to support ongoing success.
Join here.

GEDTS Tuesdays for Teachers -- AI Literacy: Preparing Students for Success in a Digital Age
2024-11-19 15:30 - 17:00 | Online
This presentation explores the critical role of AI literacy in modern education. By helping students and educators distinguish between AI-generated and human-created content, we enhance digital competency and foster critical thinking. The session with special guest presenter Vi Hawes includes interactive activities such as image and text analysis, creative writing, and real-world applications of AI. Participants will leave equipped with practical strategies to integrate AI tools responsibly into the classroom, encouraging innovation, ethical use, and continued learning in an AI-driven world.
Register here.

Career Coaching #2: Building Partnerships
2024-12-03 12:00 - 13:00
Session #2: Tues. Dec 3 12-1 PM
Building Partnerships: Engaging community partners is vital for creating collaborative opportunities and resources that enhance program effectiveness and participant outcomes.
Join here.

VALRC: Certified Guest Service Professional: A Versatile IET for English Language Learners
2024-12-03 15:00 - 16:15 | Virtual
Learn about the Guest Service Gold®- Making Connections curriculum and its adaptability for all English language learners at an intermediate or advanced level.
Engage in an interactive preview of activities focused on one of the seven key guest service elements, demonstrating how language and employability skills are seamlessly integrated.
The session will also share effective practices for implementing this curriculum to prepare learners to obtain the Certified Guest Service Professional credential.
Register Here

NEDP Leadership Meeting
2024-12-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Online
This semi-annual meeting allows Virginia educators involved in the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) to meet with leaders from across the state and to share information and promising practices. Registration information will be shared by email; contact Hillary Major (hmajor@vcu.edu) with any questions about accessing the virtual session.

Literacy Minnesota: Working with Literacy and Beginning Level English Language Learners
2024-12-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
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.
Register Here

Career Pathways PLC #3
2024-12-05 13:00 - 14:30
The third and final installment of the 3-part 90-minute fall Professional Learning Community (PLC) series (3rd of 3) for ALL IET, IELCE, workplace literacy, and workforce development practitioners. This PLC will focus on targeted topics related to program design, using data to communicate needs and successes, locating and adapting instructional materials for all skill levels, and engaging employers and other partners to secure supportive services for all learners. Breakouts will focus on targeted topics for specific types of career pathways programming. Details and guest speakers will be announced on the listservs and on the Event Calendar.

COABE: Success Stories – Integrating Entrepreneurship in ABE/ESOL Programs
2024-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Come be inspired by three success stories of COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute graduates who are positively changing the lives of adult learners (and families) in ABE/ESOL programs around the country by offering entrepreneurship classes, virtual pitch challenges, mentorships, apprenticeships, resources fairs, field trips, and more! These adult education and literacy programs culminate with the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination. Instructional strategies and resources to get started will be shared, including syllabi, lessons, assignments, vocabulary lists, etc.
Register Here
