Archived Webinars

Enrique's Journey: Traumas Immigrant Children Bring to the Classroom

Nearly all immigrant children have been separated from a parent in the process of coming to the U.S. The conditions that pushed them out of their home countries, and the modern-day odyssey many of these children go on to reach the United States, are just a few of the difficulties they encounter once they settle into the United States. Many of these students also face enormous conflicts with parents who have become strangers to them.

In this webinar, Nazario will show how critical it is to understand and address these traumas if immigrant children are to learn. She’ll also share the story of one boy, Enrique, whose mother leaves him in Honduras when he is just 5 years old to go work in the U.S. After not seeing his mother for 11 years, Enrique braves unimaginable hardship and sets off on his own to find her. Enrique's Journey is a timeless story of families torn apart and yearning to be together again, of determination, and of what so many students have gone through.

• What traumas immigrant children bring to the classroom
• How to address and understand these traumas
• Enrique’s incredible story
• Nazario’s personal experience in Latin America
• What can be done to help immigrant children learn

Sonia Nazario is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Enrique's Journey, a national bestseller about immigrants that is among the most widely adopted books for common and freshman reads at colleges and high schools across the United States. The book, about a Honduran boy's struggle to find his mother in the U.S., won three book awards and more than a dozen journalism awards, among them the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing and the Grand Prize of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award. Nazario has spent more than 20 years writing about social issues, most recently as a projects reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Nazario grew up in Kansas and in Argentina and has written extensively from Latin America and about Latinos in the U.S. She has been named among the most influential Latinos by Hispanic Business Magazine. In 2012 Columbia Journalism Review named Nazario among "40 women who changed the media business in the past 40 years." She is now at work on her second book.

Where's the Money? Find More Funding for Programs and Projects

In the light of shrinking resources, how can educators find the additional dollars they need to best serve their learners? These are questions every school district needs to ask.

In this encore funding webinar, former superintendent Dr. Marc Liebman and grants and funding specialist Dave Markov examine many different sources of funding, and identify avenues to locate them. They cover everything from websites that give away free computers to how one district funded their technology plan with car sales.

• The interest-free federal bonds few districts know about
• Where to find free training for grant writing
• The crucial question to ask foundations before completing an application
• How to find which foundations have funded neighboring districts
• The hidden goldmine in your independent studies department
• And many more real-world ideas

Dr. Marc Liebman, Chief Academic Officer, is a former superintendent, IBM education consultant, and deputy superintendent over curriculum and instruction. As an administrator in numerous California schools and districts, Dr. Liebman successfully implemented technology-based programs that increased student learning and minimized drop-out rates. As superintendent of Berryessa Union School District, Dr. Liebman restructured the district’s English language learner programs to improve student achievement, and in 2010, students in his district were recognized among the highest achieving English language learners in California. Dr. Liebman holds an MEd from Pacific Oaks College and a PhD in educational administration from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dave Markov, Grants and Funding Specialist, has a wide-ranging career in education. A graduate of Concordia Teachers College, he got his start in education teaching middle school life science in Des Plaines, Illinois. He soon began writing video curriculum that both entertained and educated middle school students for Concordia Publishing House. Dave then settled into educational technology, working as both a software trainer and a product specialist. He now serves as the grants and funding specialist for Imagine Learning.

A Holistic Approach to Serving Your Newcomer and Refugee Students

English is a second language to about 30 million people in the United States, and over 11 million are children ages 5 to 17. According to 2011 Statistic Abstract (U.S. Census Bureau), there are 10.9 million children in the U.S. who speak a language other than English at home. Taking into account the estimated growth in the school-age population, it's projected that the number of school-age children of immigrants will increase from 12.3 million in 2005 to 17.9 million in 2020-and a significant portion of these children will likely require ELL services. As we help to create a stage where students can consider their futures, we must thoughtfully acknowledge how future possibilities may be informed by the past.

In this webinar, presenters Mia Allen, Curriculum Specialist at Imagine Learning, and Jason Barbosa, Assistant Principal at Place Bridge Academy, will describe the concrete ways in which administrators, educators, and community-based organizations are addressing the unique social-emotional and academic needs of the refugee students and their families.

• Characteristics of the SIFE student
• Factors that impact academic success
• Successful programming
• Language skills required to traverse academic, social, and cultural environment
• Research-based instructional strategies
• Place Bridge Academy: a case study

Mia A. Allen is a former dual language elementary school teacher, earned her master's degrees in elementary education with an emphasis in second language acquisition from the University of Northern Colorado, and Bilingual Special Education from the University of Colorado-BUENO CENTER. Mrs. Allen is an Ed.D. candidate in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. Prior to working with Imagine Learning as a Curriculum Specialist, Mrs. Allen taught Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in the Denver Public Schools for 13 years. She has also worked as a district English language development curriculum facilitator and an evaluator of multicultural special education programs. She currently serves on the board of the Colorado Association of Bilingual Educators.

Jason Barbosa began his career in San Diego where he taught social studies, health sciences, special education, and English language learners. Mr. Barbosa received his BA from San Diego State University, his MA from Chapman University, and his Administrative Training at The University of Denver. He has been a building leader for five years, with experience in ECE-12. His passion in education includes working with lower socioeconomic families, students with special needs, English language learners, and teachers. Mr. Barbosa has developed RTI models that are used in K-12 schools with target reading and writing strategies. His interests are in K-8 schools, middle schools, and high schools with a focus on Title I Education.

A Better Foundation to Build On: Imagine Learning Español

Many Spanish-language software products are literal translations of the original English versions. Imagine Learning Español was developed specifically for young children learning to read Spanish. A balanced approach to literacy in Spanish is applied with correct modeling and sufficient practice. Letters and sounds are taught strategically. Vowels are taught first, followed by consonants, according to frequency. Syllabication is contextualized through authentic reading experiences, giving students a full picture of what reading is all about.

While standard Spanish is used for instruction and modeling, multiple accents are strategically used to expose students to the nuanced differences of the Spanish-speaking world. Highlighting the cultural and linguistic richness of Spanish-speaking countries provides students with a more meaningful educational experience. This webinar gives a preview of this new and innovative software program which will be released to schools in January.

The modern history of educational accountability

Many researchers believe that Texas’ enviable educational accountability system served as the model for the landmark No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation that was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2001, which impacts millions of K-12 children in the U.S. However, the history of Texas’ educational accountability movement is not widely known, and Dr. Maria Reyes revisits the modern history of educational accountability and its impact on K-12 students with a focus on the Latino (primarily Mexican origin) student population.

In this presentation, Maria explains her assessment of academic gains for minority populations, as indicated by NAEP scores, and discusses why NCLB appears to be unpopular legislation among many educators in Texas. In addition, Maria spells out possible reasons why some middle-class parents criticize this legislation that diverts resources and attention away from their children, and why some school administrators, fearing loss of their jobs, put undue pressure on teachers and students to improve students’ test performance.

Academic success for English learners

This practical webinar provides background and information on English learners, the fastest-growing student population in K-12. Today, seventy-five percent of all teachers have at least one English learner in their classroom; by 2025, at the current growth rate, one in four students nationwide will be an English learner. These students are all required to demonstrate grade-level achievement in academic subjects, in English. However, academic achievement data suggests that they lag far behind their peers in reading, math, and science. Hispanic students, who comprise nearly 80% of all English learners, trail their white peers by an average of more than 20 test-score points on the NAEP math and reading assessments at 4th and 8th grades. This gap has not narrowed for 20 years.

To help school districts close the achievement gap, webinar viewers will learn about the unique challenges of English learners in reading, math, science, and social studies, and the critical importance of effective professional development and family engagement programs directed at these students.

Academic language and conceptual knowledge: The building blocks of academic success

Academic language is essential for academic success, yet many English learners are not exposed to this level of language. This presentation focuses on the use of academic discussions based on rich text to support English learners in developing academic language and conceptual knowledge. The research base for practices is provided as well as language and literacy practices that can be implemented across content areas.

Where’s the Money? Finding More Funding for Programs and Projects

In this webinar, former superintendent Dr. Marc Liebman and grants and funding specialist Dave Markov look at strategies for locating needed dollars to fund educational priorities and technology. Using a practical and educated approach, districts can learn how to rise above their funding crunch and find out where the money is. Strategies include: how to establish the funding-finding mindset; how to use free and low-cost Internet resources to aid your search; and how to write grant applications that motivate the funder.

Along with these strategies, you’ll also learn tips to maximize existing resources, how to increase donations from the private sector, and discover why “you can always find money for your highest priorities.”

Removing Barriers to Learning for Long-Term English Learners

Long-term English learners often struggle to reach proficiency in literacy and writing. So what can you do to help this growing student population jump-start the developmental process and acquire the literacy skills necessary for academic success? Join renowned educator and author Lily Wong Fillmore as she addresses key questions related to long-term English learners, a growing group of students who rarely receive the support they need to attain true proficiency and succeed in secondary grades.

In this presentation, you’ll learn why so many English learners appear to stall in their efforts to learn English as a second language. You’ll also learn how academic English instruction, combined with the right kind of instructional support, can help long-term English learners overcome obstacles to reaching proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.

Turning the Tide: Strategies for Closing the English Learner Achievement Gap

Recent findings from the National Center for Education Statistics show that despite numerous policies and programs designed to help English learners catch up with their native-speaking peers, the English learner achievement gap has continued to grow over the last ten years.

In this webinar, former superintendent Marc Liebman and dual language educator Mia Allen share essential strategies for keeping English learners motivated in the classroom, as well as valuable insights into the issues and roadblocks that can prevent this growing student population from finding success. You’ll learn how to implement technology-based approaches that are proven to help English learners overcome obstacles and succeed in school. You’ll also leave with strategies you can implement right away to start narrowing the achievement gap for your English learners.

Dual Language Education: Designing and Implementing Effective Programs

What’s the secret to implementing an effective dual language education program?

In this webinar, Executive Director for Dual Language Education of New Mexico David Rogers answers your most pressing questions concerning successful dual language education programs. You’ll learn essential strategies for creating and implementing a dual language education program, like identifying key criteria and objectives, applying proven best practices in both 50/50 and 90/10 programs, and ensuring success for students, educators, and parents.

A Quality Education for All: Your Guide to Achieving Educational Equity

In this webinar, you’ll become an educational equity guru with help from Charlene Lui, director of educational equity for Utah’s most diverse school district. You’ll learn equity audit strategies that can help teachers and administrators provide equal educational opportunities and create a climate that fosters high academic achievement for all students. You’ll also learn about eliminating educational barriers based on gender, race, national origin, color, disability, age, or other protected group status. And you’ll leave with ideas for implementing proven strategies for ensuring that underrepresented populations meet the same rigorous standards for academic performance expected of all students.

Six Strategies to Help You Find More Funding

The “funding cliff” is approaching, and stimulus funds are disappearing. You need to find more funds now.

In this webinar, grants and funding specialist Dave Markov shares six strategies to help you secure additional funding dollars for your school or district:

• Gearing up for your funding hunt
• Writing successful grant applications
• Accessing free and low-cost resources to boost grants and donations
• Increasing community donations
• Maximizing existing district resources
• Optimizing a neglected district resource to bring in extra dollars

You’ll leave this practical presentation with actionable ideas you can implement right away. Don’t miss your chance to find funds before they’re gone.

Diversity or Disability? Finding the Right Intervention for Your English Learners

In this webinar, experienced dual-language educator Mia Allen shares strategies for addressing language diversity and learning disability issues. You’ll learn about the challenges of correctly identifying learning disabilities in English learners, as well as literacy-based RTI strategies you can implement with your students to better meet their needs.

The Art of RTI: Discover How Principals Make It Work

In this webinar, presenter Clydie Wakefield shares insights from principals who are using RTI to accelerate student progress and close the achievement gap. You’ll learn how to identify resources, develop tools, and overcome obstacles as you implement an RTI program that will work for your students, teachers, and administrators.