PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
ATLAS provides professional development in many areas, including English as a Second Language, culture and language in the adult classroom, learner-centered teaching, work skills, and more. Click
HERE for a list of sessions provided by ATLAS facilitators.
Trainings are coordinated by Regional Professional Development Coordinators operating in nine regions across Minnesota. Through ATLAS, ABE teachers and administrators statewide have access to high-quality, practical training and support. In addition, ATLAS/ Hamline University provides opportunities for training attendees to receive additional CEUs and/or earn graduate credit.
ATLAS staff members also participate in the planning and/or implementation of other workshops and conferences, such as the Transitions to Post-Secondary/Workforce Conference, the ABE Support Staff Conference, and EL/Civics Workshops for EL/Civics grantees.
Adult ESL Institute
Each year, ATLAS hosts a two-day intensive training at Hamline University for ESL instructors and administrators from across the state. ATLAS collaborates with the Minnesota Department of Education to identify topics of greatest need/interest, and to develop and deliver worshops addressing those areas.
PEER MENTORING
In 2008-2009, ATLAS piloted a peer-mentoring program with teachers of transitions-level ABE classes in the Twin Cities. To make this activity more accessible across Minnesota, Professor Betsy Parrish designed and will facilitate an online peer mentoring course starting in fall 2009.
PRACTITIONER RESEARCH
Practitioner Research is an intensive, innovative, and interactive staff development activity in which ABE providers:
- 1) Learn about current reading and writing research.
- 2) Participate collaboratively in a practitioner research process.
- 3) Determine data-based findings and conclusions that may change their teaching practice, students, and program or consortium.
The training activities are based on a practitioner research guide from the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL).
Click here to view research reports written by Minnesota practitioners!
STAR (STudent Achievement in Reading)
New for ATLAS in 2008, STAR is a project from the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) that provides training and support for teachers of intermediate reading students in effectual, evidence-based practices. In FY09, 11 ABE programs from across Minnesota participated in this reading reform initiative that includes professional development, tools and resources that expand participants' knowledge of effective reading instruction for adults.
A new cohort of 35 teachers and administrators is participating in STAR during FY10.
TRANSITION TO POST-SECONDARY/WORKFORCE
One important focus for ATLAS is to work with the Minnesota Department of Education to facilitate training and projects to address the gap between ABE and post-secondary education. Projects include an annual Transitions Conference and a curriculum/ instructional practices alignment initiative.
ATLAS is a partnership between the Hamline University School of Education and the Minnesota Department of Education/Adult Basic Education (ABE). ATLAS is funded as an approved state ABE supplemental services provider.
