News

Afterwork Showcase Features Virginia Educators (August 9, 2010)

The Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center website has added Featured Extension Work from the Virginia Adult Educator Certification program to our website at: http://www.valrc.org/trainings/certify/featured/index.php

This showcase features the exemplary work done by program managers, ESOL teachers, and ABE/GED teachers as part of their participation in the certification program. Reviewers working with the Virginia Adult Educator Certification program nominate excellent work for inclusion on the website; all work is published with the permission of the author.

The showcase is an indicator of the extraordinary work being done by Virginia's adult educators. You'll find reflections, lesson plans, innovative products, practitioner research, and suggestions for technology use, all contributed by your colleagues from around the state. Topics of interest include:

• Integrating cell phone use in ESOL classrooms
• Creating an informational video about literacy and adult education providers
• Researching current events for an ABE/GED writing lesson
• Developing an advisory board
• Creating a teacher observation/evaluation tool
• And more!

To access these exemplary afterwork projects, visit the Training area of the Resource Center website, select Certification Program from the left-hand sidebar menu, and then choose the Featured Extension Work option. This section of our website will continue to grow as more of you contribute your plans, experiences, and reflections.

Certification Level Two Debuts at VAILL: Richmond, July 28-30

The Virginia Institute for Lifelong Learning (VAILL) will be held July 28-30, 2010, on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Our focus for VAILL this year will be the rollout of Level Two of the Virginia Adult Educator Certification Program for ABE/GED instructors, ESOL instructors, and program managers.

Because most workshops offered will be part of Level Two, participants will need to have met some eligibility requirements before their registrations can be processed.

ABE/GED Instructors: Option 1

The primary “course package” for ABE/GED instructors at VAILL 2010 will be Level Two, Sessions 1 & 2 of the certification program. To be eligible for this package, a participant MUST have:

• Attended Level One, Sessions 1, 2, and 3.
• Submitted all afterwork for Sessions 1 and 2 and had both sets of afterwork approved.
• Submitted afterwork for Level One, Session 3.
• The participant’s Session 3 afterwork does NOT need to have been approved.
• The participant does not need to have taken a self-selected workshop.

ABE/GED Instructors: Option 2

We understand that Level 1, Session 3 may not have been available to all instructors who have begun the certification program and would like to participate in VAILL 2010. Therefore, we will be offering instructors a second course package consisting of Level One, Session 3 & Level Two, Session 1. To be eligible for this package, a participant MUST have:

• Attended Level One, Sessions 1 and 2.
• Submitted afterwork for Sessions 1 and 2 and had both sets of afterwork approved.
• The participant does not need to have taken a self-selected workshop.

The primary “course package” for ESOL instructors at VAILL 2010 will be Level Two, Sessions 1 & 2 of the certification program. To be eligible for this package, a participant MUST have:

• Attended Level One, Sessions 1, 2, and 3.
• Submitted all afterwork for Session 1 and had afterwork approved.
• Submitted Action Plan for Session 2 and had Action Plan approved.
• The participant does not need to have taken a self-selected workshop.

ESOL Instructors: Option 2

We understand that Level 1, Session 3 may not have been available to all instructors who have begun the certification program and would like to participate in VAILL 2010. Therefore, we will be offering a second course package consisting of Level One, Session 3 & Level Two, Session 1 . To be eligible for this package, a participant MUST have:

• Attended Level One, Sessions 1 and 2.
• Submitted Action Plans for Sessions 1 and 2 and had both Action Plans approved.
• The participant does not need to have taken a self-selected workshop.

Program Managers

For program managers, VAILL 2010 will consist of Level Two, Sessions 1 & 2 of the certification program. To be eligible for this package, program managers MUST have:

• Received certificates for completing Level One, Sessions 1 & 2.*
• * Exception: Program managers who attend Level One, Session 2 training in May 2010 may attend VAILL if they have submitted their Action Plan. Plans do NOT need to have been approved.
• Program managers do not need to have taken a self-selected workshop.

We hope to see you in Richmond this summer!