"To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold." - Aristotle

Professional Development...

Below is a list of upcoming ATDN courses/meetings:

 

December 15 | 9 - 11:30 AM | CCS Review for Educators

This session will review the importance of the CASAS Assessments, identify key skills that our students need to be successful in their future endeavors, and analyze relevant information from the Assessment reports supporting the lesson planning process. The information covered in this session covers some of the points that are discussed in module 4 on the CASAS website.

Audience: NEDP Advisors/Assessors and Teachers

Objectives: Present the information on the reports to students in a constructive manner, and identify key information from TOPS reports supporting lesson planning and student instruction.

______________________________________________________________________

 

On-Demand, Self-Paced Video Training:

  • CCRS ELA 101: Instructional Shifts, Text Complexity & Vocabulary

  • CCRS ELA 102: Instructional Shifts, Evidence & Building Knowledge

  • CCRS Math 101A: Introduction & Key Instructional Shifts

  • CCRS Math 101B: Key Instructional Shifts

  • CCRS Math 102A: Standards for Mathematical Practice

  • CCRS Math 102B: Standards for Mathematical Practice

  • CCRS ELP Standards I: Introduction to the ELP Standards

  • CCRS ELP Standards II: Meeting the Demands of Today's World Through High-Leverage Instructional Practices

Below is a list of upcoming Digital ATDN courses:

 

December 12 | 3 - 4 PM | Creating Collaborative Opportunities in the Blended Learning Classroom

Collaborative learning is critical for student success and engagement. Digital learning tools, such as Jamboard, can enhance participation, collaboration, and creativity, both inside and outside the classroom. In this training, we will discuss the benefits of collaborative learning, explore strategies using Jamboard, and design learning opportunities ready to be implemented in your in-person or online classroom.

Goal: Introduce educators to collaborative tools that can be utilized within a virtual or in-person classroom setting.

Audience: Directors, Program Facilitators, and Teachers

Objectives: Review the benefits of collaborative learning and best practices, discuss the collaborative features of Jamboard, draw connections between Jamboard and other Google For Education apps, demonstrate how Jamboard can be used on its own, or integrated into an LMS (such as Google Classroom), and create a collaborative learning activity using Jamboard.

 

December 19 | 3 - 4 PM | Use Nearpod to Build an Interactive and Collaborative Class

Nearpod offers a library of interactive lessons and activities on a variety of topics. In this training, we will provide a brief overview of Nearpod including navigating the site, adding and creating lessons/activities, and best practice tips and tricks in managing your Nearpod dashboard.

Goal: Prepare educators to utilize Nearpod in their classrooms and curriculum.

Audience: Teachers

Objectives: Introduce the benefits of using Nearpod for self-paced, virtual, and in-person learning, understand how to add existing lessons to your dashboard, create Nearpod activities and lessons, understand how to facilitate Nearpod lessons for live participation or self-paced, and discuss best practices in managing your Nearpod dashboard.

Digital ATDN...

Northstar Digital Literacy Toolbox

Getting Started with Northstar Digital Literacy! Here you can find a list of valuable resources, instructions, links, and much more to benefit you and your agency as you begin to use or continue using Northstar.

Do you need assistance registering for courses in ProTraxx or accessing them in Canvas?

Are you looking for support in implementing a digital resource into your program or classroom?

 

Schedule a Technical Support session with one of our specialists today!

Announcements...

As we continue with the CSDE two-year sustainability plan, we move into the second phase of compiling stipend-based, local practitioner SIA Math and ELA Curricula Review teams. By sharing expertise and collective wisdom, the teams will collaborate to:

 

✦ Identify existing curriculum and resources used by Adult Education agencies throughout Connecticut through a statewide survey;

✦ Evaluate/analyze curriculum and resources as identified through the survey and focus groups and how they align to the Standards-in-Action dimensions (using the SIA curricula review tool);

✦ Use the SIA curricula review tool to make suggestions about modification of the curriculum or resources for adult learners; and

✦ Prepare reviewed curriculum and resource suggestions for review by the Connecticut State Department of Education - Office of Adult Education and posting on goopenct.org.

 

The Curricula Review Teams will be comprised of no less than five (5) certified Adult Education teachers. The Math team will meet a total of six (6) times and the ELA team will meet a total of seven (7) times (an estimated 30 hours total). In addition to the team meetings, each Curricula Review Team member will be required to do “independent work” outside of scheduled meetings.

 

Visit Standards-in-Action Curricula Review Team Application / Selection Process

to apply or view additional information/requirements.

 

The deadline for applications is Friday, January 20, 2023!

CAREER NAVIGATOR TRAINING

 

CSDE would like to know who each Director plans to send to the formalized online Career Navigator Training. Please identify the information through this Google Form by the end of the week!

 

Note: It is a requirement that all providers send at least one person to participate.

A second person may participate if space allows

What's Happening...

IMPORTANT DECEMBER 2022 DATES...

 

01 | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | Disability Focus Group Meeting

05 | 1:30 - 2:30 PM | Pep Mid-Year Report Meeting*

06 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Director Data Meeting*

12 | 3 - 4 PM | Creating Collaborative Opportunities in the Blended Learning Classroom

13 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Data Admin Meeting*

15 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM | Regional Director's Meeting (Eastern)*

15 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM | Regional Director's Meeting (North Central)*

15 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM | Regional Director's Meeting (Southwest)*

15 | 1 - 3 PM | Regional Director's Meeting (Northwest)*

15 | 1 - 3 PM | Regional Director's Meeting (South Central)*

15 | 9 - 11:30 AM | CCS Review for Educators

19 | 3 - 4 PM | Use Nearpod to Build an Interactive and Collaborative Class

20 | 2 - 3 PM | School Counselor Meeting*

21 | 11 AM - 12:15 PM | Racial Equity Director's Meeting*

 

*CSDE meetings with an "*" do NOT require registration and links will be emailed. If required, click on the course to be directed to the registration site to register or visit www.atdnct.org.

ANNOUNCING...

 

✔ Professional Development Opportunity

The San Francisco State University (SFSU) is offering a stipend professional development opportunity for adult educators (broadly defined- could be organizers, too) on how to infuse into our work the development of data literacy and communicative justice to support social change.

What do they mean by this? It’s how we teach adult immigrants, refugees, and other adult learners to understand data that affects them and learn to visualize/communicate it back to their communities in ways that make sense and move people to action. Such action might be protecting themselves -e.g., from COVID- or working collectively for social justice. This work involves developing the ESOL, communication, digital literacy, media/information literacy, and leadership skills of adults.

 

Sign up ASAP for more information on the study circle (with stipends for participants) running December 2022 - May 2023 through this form, and please help disseminate this opportunity.

 

✔ CareerConneCT: Training Money

FREE, short-term certificate training programs for industry-recognized credentials in as little as 5-12 weeks. This a great opportunity for students to connect to employers. Additional supportive services are available, such as childcare, transportation, and technology. For more information - visit your local American Job Center!

 

CareerConneCT offers reskilling and upskilling in:

  • Manufacturing

  • Healthcare

  • IT

  • CDL Licensing

  • Green Jobs

  • Infrastructure / Construction

  • Life Science

  • Business Services

 

✔ The Change Agent - November 2022

 Issue 57, November 2022 - Creating New Community is now available and features an article submitted by Juliana Duque from Shoreline Adult Education - "Columbian vs. US Schools".

 

Visit https://changeagent.nelrc.org/ to access the latest issue (username: connecticut and password: changeagent)

REMINDERS...

 

🞾 2023 GED Registration Center Agreement - required the signatures of the adult education agency Director, lead GED Registrar, and any alternate registrars. Please return your completed agreement by December 31, 2022, to Amy Ferrari (ferrari@edadvance.org).

 

🞾 Intake Forms - All students should be asked “How did you hear about Adult Education?” and the data should be entered into LACES for all students. This information is valuable to agencies to determine if your marketing efforts have been working. There was also a state initiative done by CAACE advertising through Telemundo. Many agencies are not reporting this data accurately. It is also suggested (not required) to include a “Why enroll?” question on your intake form as well to know the main reason why the student enrolled. Both questions can be located in the student record, under the Education tab > Education panel.

  • Source Type: lists all the ways the student may have heard about adult education (the list of options can be modified)

  • Why Enroll: lists all the potential reasons why a student might have enrolled (the list of options can be modified)

Meet Our Team...

Nancy Hill

Citizenship / IELCE Consultant

nhill12@gmail.com

Nancy is the granddaughter of a naturalized citizen and a former Peace Corps volunteer who has a passion for welcoming and orienting immigrants to the U.S. Her original teacher certification was in Social Studies and she has been teaching English as a Second Language for more than thirty years. Nancy didn't hesitate in 1998 when West Hartford Adult Education offered her the chance to teach a Citizenship class.

 

During the past 24 years, the 100 questions have been revised, the names of politicians have changed and the application fee has increased, but Nancy has noticed that the student's eagerness to learn and their determination to succeed has remained constant. Benefits of being a Citizenship teacher include attending swearing-in ceremonies and receiving phone calls from grateful and excited newly naturalized citizens.

 

Nancy currently teaches Citizenship classes in Farmington. 

How to Register...

To register...

 

❶ Course Name - Select the course you would like to register for, directly linked to the course information page in ProTraxx.

 

➋ ATDN Website - visit www.atdnct.org and select "register" in the upper left-hand corner.

To be able to register, you need to have a ProTraxx account.

 

To create a NEW account, visit www.atdnct.org and select the REGISTER button in the top left-hand corner, which will direct you to the ProTraxx registration site. Once there, you can either 1) Select the "person" in the upper right corner. Select "Login" from the dropdown menu. This will bring you to the login page where you can register as a "New User", or 2) Once you select "Enroll" for your desired course, you will be directed to the login page where you can register as a "New User".

Certificate of Completion

 

Don't forget to download or print your Certificate of Completion after the successful completion of a PD or completing the on-demand, self-paced, video training. Refer to the Course/Meeting Registration, Access & Certificate Instructions to learn how to do this!

Need Assistance? Contact Us...

Amy Ferrari

Astrid Robitaille

Jose Adorno

Dalia Assem

Lysa Napoli

Connie Rivera

Jody Lambert

Rachel Spinks

Nancy Hill

Stefanie Montejano

ATDN Coordinator

Prof. Development Specialist

Distance Literacy Coordinator

ESL / ELP Consultant

Disability Consultant

Math Consultant

Teacher Evaluation Consultant

ELA Consultant

Citizenship Consultant

Career Navigator Consultant

ferrari@edadvance.org

robitaille@edadvance.org

jadorno@edadvance.org

assem@edadvance.org

napoli@edadvance.org

rivera@edadvance.org

lambert@edadvance.org

rachel.spinks@meridenk12.org

nhill13@gmail.com

smontejano@norwichpublicschools.org

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