2018 WITESOL Fall Conference

Stand Up, Speak Out: Standing With Our Students

Saturday, 27 October 2018

Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI

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The 2018 WITESOL Conference Committee Conference Chair: Dr. Sheryl Slocum, Alverno College Publicity Chair: Kari Johnson, School District of Fort Atkinson Registration Chair: Pam Dennis, Whitewater Unified School District Commercial Partnerships Chair: Kathy Stamos, Northcentral Technical College

The 2018 WITESOL Board

President: Dr. Sheryl Slocum, Alverno College President-Elect: Vacant Past-President: Tim Dalby, UW-Madison Treasurer: Kathy Stamos, Northcentral Technical College Secretary: Lori Menning, CESA 6 Members-at-Large: Pam Dennis, Whitewater Unified School District

Dr. Susan Huss-Lederman, UW-Whitewater Kari Johnson, School District of Fort Atkinson Adela Larson de Guerrero, UW-River Falls Graduate Student

Committee Chairs: Advocacy: Lori Menning, CESA 6 Membership: Dr. Sheryl Slocum, Alverno College Newsletter, Website, Publicity: Kari Johnson, School District of Fort Atkinson Writing & Art Contest: Anjie Kokan, UW-Whitewater

Acknowledgements: Session Presenters:

Thank you for volunteering to share your knowledge and expertise in order to make this conference a success. We are privileged to work with and learn from you.

Sponsors and Commercial Partners:

American College of Education New Readers Press Burlington English Oxford University Press Cambridge University Press Pearson Easy English News Robotel Get This Write Sargy Letuchy iTEP International TESOL International Association National Geographic Learning WIDA

For updates visit: Website: www.witesol.com Twitter: @WITESOL

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Schedule of Events 8:30 – 9:30 Registration / Book Displays / Commercial Exhibits – Rotunda, Sister Joel Read Center (RC) 9:30 – 10:45 Welcome & KEYNOTE

Welcome – Sheryl Slocum (WITESOL President) John Segota (TESOL) – Federal Education Policy in 2018 and What it Means for TESOL

Alverno College Conference Center (RC 100) Room: RC 100 RC 102E RC 112 FO 309 FO 310 SESSION 1 11:00 – 11:45

John Segota, Lori Menning Lift Your Voice and Be the Change for You and Your Students

COMMERCIAL SESSION: Elizabeth Neblett, National Geographic Learning English in Action Prepares Students for Success in the 21st Century

Susan Huss-Lederman, Ellen Latorraca Academic Literacy for All: Using BadgerLink Resources to Enhance Instruction

Gitte Frandsen, Brooke Haley Advocating for the Needs of ELLs on U.S. University Campuses

Cassandra Pilarski, Ilana Seidman Strategies for Teaching Adult ELLs Soft Skills for Workforce Readiness

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and Regional Networking Please check the maps on the easels and sit with others from the region where you work

Alverno College Conference Center (RC 100) SESSION 2 1:15 – 2:00

Tim Boals Unpacking the Role of Advocate in Contentious Times

COMMERCIAL SESSION: Burlington English The Burlington English Blend: Your Answer to WIOA, IET, and IEL/CE in One Comprehensive Program

Rossitza Ivanova, Anjie Kokan, Brianna Deering, Mohammed Al Khathlan, Natalija Krsteva Standing with Our Students through a Community Based Project

Allegra Troiano Teach Abroad with the English Language Fellow Program

Carolyn Nason Critical Thinking, Math, and Digital Literacy for Beginning Adult ELLs

2:00 – 2:15 Coffee and Cookies available in the Rotunda SESSION 3 2:15 – 3:00

Anjie Kokan, Brianna Deering, Mohammed Al Khathlan Stand up and Say Cheese: Project-Based Learning through a Cheese Tasting

COMMERCIAL SESSION: Lindsey Klein, Robotel Let’s Talk! English Curriculum

Kristi Weisenburger, Joy Lehman Helping Adult Learners Speak out (with Evidence)!

Panel Discussion Meeting Wisconsin’s English Learner Needs through School District and University Partnerships

3:15 – 4:00 CLOSING PLENARY

Timothy Boals (WIDA) – Teaching “English” in Contentious Times Alverno College Conference Center (RC 100)

4:00 – 4:15 Closing / Prize Drawing (RC 100)

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Sister Joel Read Center

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John Segota, TESOL John Segota, MPS, CAE, is Associate Executive Director for Public Policy & Professional Relations at TESOL International Association (TESOL). John’s responsibilities at TESOL include government relations, policy analysis, media relations and communications, oversight of standards development, and management of TESOL’s advocacy activities. John works closely with TESOL’s senior leadership on policy management, strategic planning, public relations, and governance issues.

John has presented both nationally and internationally on public policy as it relates to English language education, and has written extensively on issues of education policy. John has a BA in Political Science with a concentration in International Studies from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, a Master’s of Professional Studies in Public Leadership from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Dr. Tim Boals, WIDA Tim Boals is the founder and director of WIDA. He holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an emphasis in the education of multilingual learners. His background includes language education, curriculum and instruction, educational policy, and Spanish language and literature. At WIDA, Tim oversees the vision and operations, long range planning, research and development, and consortium outreach efforts.

Tim frequently presents at conferences in the USA and internationally on increasing the opportunity to learn for multilingual learners. WIDA projects he is particularly excited about include WIDA’s Spanish Academic Language Standards and CAN DOs, WIDA’s Early Years and International programs, a native Alaskan language proficiency assessment development grant project, and professional learning on formative assessment.

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER – RC 100, 9:45 – 10:45 Federal Education Policy in 2018 and What it Means for TESOL John Segota, TESOL Abstract: The past 18 months have brought sweeping changes across Washington, DC. What has been the impact upon K-12 and adult education? Where do things stand with immigration policy? This session will deconstruct the federal policy climate for education and present an overview of recent Congressional and administrative actions impacting TESOL educators and English learners.

Are you interested in joining the WITESOL Board?

Is there a Professional Development session you would like to organize?

Would you like to help organize the 2019 WITESOL Conference?

Is there some other way you would like to be more involved?

Contact: witesolboard@gmail.com for more details.

CLOSING PLENARY – RC 100, 3:15 – 4:00 Teaching “English” in Contentious Times Dr. Tim Boals, WIDA

Abstract: It’s a difficult time to be an educator, but even more so when the students and families we serve are multilingual learners, culturally diverse, and often recent immigrants. While we may have signed on to “teach English,” we now see our job as so much more than that. What is our role in educating and advocating for our students? What knowledge and skills are required to be effective advocates of multilingual learners? Who must we partner with in our efforts to advocate? And what will we do differently tomorrow to respond to our students’ needs? We are tasked, not merely with teaching English, but with building bridges that lead to success for our students when too many around us seem intent on building walls.

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Concurrent Session 1. 11:00 – 11:45 RC 100 Lift Your Voice and Be the Change for You and Your Students John Segota, TESOL; Lori Menning, CESA 6 Abstract: All teachers play a critical role in improving the lives of their students; however, this is especially true for TESOL educators. What is the best way to be an effective advocate? This presentation will identify ways that educators can shape the policies that impact their programs, their jobs, and their students’ lives.

RC 102E

Commercial Presentation: English in Action Prepares Students for Success in the 21st Century Elizabeth Neblett, National Geographic Learning Abstract: How can you prepare adult ESL students for work and academic readiness while keeping them engaged and motivated? English in Action is a standards-based, integrated language learning program featuring authentic National Geographic content. Learners will improve their English proficiency while learning 21st century skills for further education or career pathway. RC 112 Academic Literacy for All: Using BadgerLink Resources to Enhance Instruction Susan Huss-Lederman, UW-Whitewater; Ellen Latorraca, UW-Whitewater Abstract: BadgerLink is Wisconsin's Online Library. It includes access to magazine and news articles, literature reviews, teaching supplements, sound collections, Spanish-language encyclopedias and more. In this practice-oriented session, a librarian and an ESL specialist introduce Badgerlink through the lens of TESOL, sharing how select resources can be used to customize instruction. FO 309 Advocating for the Needs of ELLs on U.S. University Campuses Gitte Frandsen, UW-Milwaukee; Brooke Haley, UW-Milwaukee Abstract: The needs and behaviors of English Language Learners are often misunderstood at U.S. educational institutions. This workshop presents how two UW-Milwaukee instructors identified a need to better serve and stand up for ELLs on their campus. The presenters will solicit their peers’ related experiences advocating for ELLs at their institutions. FO 310 Strategies for Teaching Adult ELLs Soft Skills for Workforce Readiness Cassandra Pilarski, Literacy Network; Ilana Seidman, Literacy Network Abstract: Adults across the nation preparing to enter the workplace or even academia must know how to navigate the professional world, which requires more than just technical competency. This workshop will provide strategies to design effective soft skills training materials for adult ELLs.

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Concurrent Session 2. 1:15 – 2:00 RC 100 Unpacking the Role of Advocate in Contentious Times Dr. Tim Boals, WIDA Abstract: In this workshop we will explore in greater detail some of the themes in the upcoming plenary Teaching “English” in Contentious Times. Specifically, we will unpack the idea of advocacy in varying environments and talk about strategic ways to take on that role without, hopefully, losing our job (remember, what’s said at WITESOL stays at WITESOL!). How do we respond to the expectation that we serve as the resident coach, the translator, the provider of direct services, the family liaison, the fixer, et cetera? What is the role for mainstream teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals and how does the ESL or bilingual teacher avoid becoming a de facto paraprofessional? What are the challenges you face in your school? We will talk about local realities many of us share and brainstorm effective approaches for dealing with them. Remember we are “in Vegas in this session” but without the slot machines. RC 102E

Commercial Presentation: The Burlington English Blend: Your Answer to WIOA, IET, and IEL/CE in One Comprehensive Program Margo Hernandez Rainwater, Burlington English Abstract: The BurlingtonEnglish Blend—Your Answer to WIOA, IET, and IEL/CE in One Comprehensive Program. As Adult Education and the learning goals we have for our students evolve, schools are looking for programs to meet their growing needs. BurlingtonEnglish is a blended, digital program created specifically for the adult English language learner and for those teachers and administrators who service these students. Come see how Burlington’s multiple courses and levels will help you address WIOA with Integrated Education and Training (IET) and Integrated English and Civics Education (IEL/CE). Participants will get a look at Burlington’s comprehensive suite of programs to understand how the program works in the classroom, lab, distance learning, and mobile settings. We will highlight how to use BurlingtonEnglish to respond directly to the demands of WIOA.

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RC 112 Standing with Our Students through a Community Based Project Dr. Rossitza Ivanova, UW-Whitewater; Anjie Kokan, UW-Whitewater; Brianna Deering, UW-Whitewater; Mohammed Al Khathlan, UW-Whitewater; Natalija Krsteva, UW-Whitewater Abstract: Participants will learn about a Community Based Learning (CBL) project between UW-Whitewater international students and 4th grade elementary students at a local school which enrolls a high percentage of ELLs. The project involved culture sharing activities and “Where I’m from” poems and posters. The workshop shares research that supports the activity, methodologies used, samples of students’ work, and inspiration and ideas for similar CBL projects. RC 309 Teach Abroad with the English Language Fellow Program Allegra Troiano, The U.S. Department of State English Language Programs Abstract: Learn how you can enhance English language teaching capacity abroad through 10-month paid teaching fellowships designed by U.S. Embassies for experienced U.S. TESOL professionals. As an English Language Fellow, you can provide English language instruction, conduct teacher training, and develop resources. Join us to hear from program staff and alumni. RC 310 Critical Thinking, Math, and Digital Literacy for Beginning Adult ELLs Carolyn Nason, Milwaukee Area Technical College Abstract: Supporting our beginning adult ELLs’ path to college, career or civic readiness means developing more than just their English proficiency. Learners need to develop critical thinking, math, and digital literacy skills, too. Participants explore various tasks, activities, and strategies that move beginning learners closer to their short and long-term goals.

Did you enjoy the conference?

Do you have feedback for us?

You can complete a conference evaluation survey on paper at the conference, or on our online version at:

witesol.com/fall-conference/evaluation/

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Concurrent Session 3. 2:15 – 3:00 RC 100 Stand up and Say Cheese: Project-Based Learning through a Cheese Tasting Anjie Kokan, UW-Whitewater; Brianna Deering, UW-Whitewater; Mohammed Al Khathlan, UW-Whitewater Abstract: Review the advantages of project-based learning and find out how a student-hosted cheese tasting event gave a group of ELLs a chance to practice authentic language skills while sharing about cultures. Participants will interact with facilitators and an international student. There will be time for idea sharing, discussion, and questions. RC 102E

Commercial Presentation: Let’s Talk! English Curriculum: Get your students extra speaking opportunities with exciting new technology! Lindsey Klein, Robotel Abstract: Curriculum meets technology. We can offer you a complete multi-media solution to get your students speaking English more often, in less time and with more accuracy. The Let’s Talk! English system could be what you have been searching for as a one-stop resource for all of your teaching needs. RC 112 Helping Adult Learners Speak out (with Evidence)! Kristi Weisenburger, Milwaukee Area Technical College; Joy Lehman, Milwaukee Area Technical College Abstract: Supporting information and arguments with evidence is a key skill in the updated WTCS curriculum. Citation is not just an advanced skill, but one that can be developed over time, through informal classroom practice. Participants explore teaching strategies for finding evidence in texts and citing sources at various levels. FO 309 Meeting Wisconsin’s English Learner Needs through School District and University Partnerships Panel Discussion: Dr. Melanie Schneider, UW-Whitewater; Audrey Lesondak, Department of Public Instruction; Rosamaría Laursen, Delavan-Darien School District; Dr. Douglas Margolis, UW-River Falls Abstract: Wisconsin faces teacher shortages in bilingual, dual language, and ESL education, leaving many English Learners with inadequate resources to support their academic and English skills development. This presentation explores collaborations between institutions of higher education and school districts to address this issue. Panelists hope to inspire collaborations with attendees.

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