Our Kids Summer Institute Registration Open for Those Serving English Learners

For the past 12 years, Our Kids Summer Institute has provided a high-quality professional development opportunity for teachers and administrators who work with English learners. Historically, premier presenters from the U.S and Canada have shared their expertise. Networking opportunities and multicultural experiences have been provided and various conference strands have met a range of needs and interests among participants.

In addition, Our Kids prides itself on highlighting cultures of students and families in Iowa by incorporating culturally and linguistically diverse voices in panels, cultural performances, planning, etc.

Speakers at this year’s event include:

• Mawi Asgedom, author and national motivational speaker, former child refugee and Harvard graduate
• Paula Markus, Program Coordinator of the world’s largest ESL/ELD program
• Andrea DeCapua, national expert and developer of the Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm (MALP®)
• Linda New Levine and Laura Lukens, authors and national ELL experts, K-12 Go To Strategies
• MaryAnn Strawhacker, MPH, R.N., Special Education Nurse Consultant, ELLs and Special Education issues, 504 and trauma
• Deb Vail, Media/Instructional Technology Consultant and Google for Education Certified Trainer with educator-friendly technology tips and resources for ELLs
• Izzy Schrock, Iman Darem, Stephen Wonbenyakeh, Amos Ceu, Noble Atubra, Diverse ELL Panel of First Person Voices (students)

Our Kids Summer Institute “Trip the Light”
Date: June 16-17, 2016
Location: Waukee High School, 555 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA

Conference brochure (for Heartland AEA participants)
Registration

Heartland AEA educators are reimbursed $150 for registration via Title III claim form, plus $150 honorarium, for full attendance and participation in the full two-day conference. Claim forms will be available onsite June 17.

Come a day early for the pre-conference workshop!
Grades 3-12 teachers are invited to explore evidence-based practices that support English learners and striving students in making gains in academic oral language and literacy to access the demands of the Common Core standards.

Our Kids Pre-conference Workshop: Using the Academic Vocabulary Toolkit for ELLs in Grades 3-12
Date: June 15, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Register here for the pre-conference 
*Registration includes Academic Vocabulary Toolkit materials by Kate Kinsella, National Geographic and lunch.

Heartland AEA educators are reimbursed $150 for registration via Title III claim form, plus $100 honorarium, for full attendance and participation in the workshop. Claim forms will be available onsite.

New ELL PD Opportunities: Language Objectives & GO TO Strategies

Course registration is now available for this foundational English Language Learners (ELL) learning opportunity that focuses on how to infuse language objectives into content classrooms and introduces basic strategies that enable teachers to plan scaffolded, yet rigorous and relevant content lessons for ELLs.

Choose to attend either the Elementary or the Secondary session. Both sessions will be co-facilitated by Laura Lukens and Linda New Levine, Ph.D. of GO TO Educational Services.

Language Objectives and GO TO Strategies for Elementary ELLs
Date: March 21, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Rooms 152 A/B/C
Register: Here

Language Objectives and GO TO Strategies for Secondary ELLs
Date: March 22, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Rooms 152 A/B/C
Register: Here

Other Information:

• Participants will leave with abundant resources for scaffolding instruction for ELLs, including the complete GO TO Strategy materials and handouts of workshop activities.
• ESL and non-ESL teachers and administrators are encouraged to attend.
• District Claim Forms: Title III funds are available to cover the cost of substitute teachers. District claim forms will be available at the event.
• Individual Claim Forms: If off contract due to spring break, an individual stipend of $200 will be provided. Individual claim forms will be available at the event. This stipend is only available to participants whose spring break coincides with this training.
• Lunch will be on your own from 11:30-12:45, with morning and afternoon breaks.