Register by June 4! The 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute is Coming June 13-14

Registration is open until June 4 for the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners. The event is going to be held June 13-14 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Register by June 4 at this link.

Educators will have the opportunity to network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement.

Your featured speaker line-up includes:

• Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELs, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator
• Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population
• Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year
• Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and,
• Our amazing students!

Sessions will focus on:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Registration
Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a team! We hope to see you there!

Register by JUNE 4 at this link

Note for Teachers and Administrators in the Heartland AEA area: Title III will refund the cost of registration ($150), plus an honorarium of $200 (totaling $350) to off-contract individuals for full attendance and participation. Claim forms will be available at the event.

Note for districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners: Districts are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

Come be Inspired at the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute

Registration is open for the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners, June 13-14, 2017 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement.

Featured speakers include:

• Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELs, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator
• Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population
• Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year
• Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and,
• Our amazing students!

Sessions will focus on:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Registration
Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a team! We hope to see you there!

Register by June 4 at this link

Note for Teachers and Administrators in the Heartland AEA area: Title III will refund the cost of registration ($150), plus an honorarium of $200 (totaling $350) to off-contract individuals for full attendance and participation. Claim forms will be available at the event.

Note for districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners: Districts are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

Be Inspired at the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute

Registration is open for the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners, June 13-14, 2017 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement.

Featured speakers include:

Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELs, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator

Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population

Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year

Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and,

And, our amazing students!

Sessions will focus on:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Registration
Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a team! We hope to see you there!

Register by June 4 at this link

Note for Teachers and Administrators in the Heartland AEA area: Title III will refund the cost of registration ($150), plus an honorarium of $200 (totaling $350) to off-contract individuals for full attendance and participation. Claim forms will be available at the event.

Note for Districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners: These districts are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

Come Get Inspired at the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute

Registration is open for the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners, June 13-14, 2017 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement.

Featured speakers include:

Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELs, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator

Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population

Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year

Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and,

And, our amazing students!

Sessions will focus on:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Registration
Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a team! We hope to see you there!

Register by June 4 at this link

Note for Teachers and Administrators in the Heartland AEA area: Title III will refund the cost of registration ($150), plus an honorarium of $200 (totaling $350) to off-contract individuals for full attendance and participation. Claim forms will be available at the event.

Note for Districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners: These districts are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

Registration is Open for the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute!

Registration is open for the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners, June 13-14, 2017 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement.

Featured speakers include:

• Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELs, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator
• Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population
• Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year
• Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and,
• Our amazing students!

Sessions will focus on:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Registration
Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a team! We hope to see you there!

Register by June 4 at this link

Note for Teachers and Administrators in the Heartland AEA area: Title III will refund the cost of registration ($150), plus an honorarium of $200 (totaling $350) to off-contract individuals for full attendance and participation. Claim forms will be available at the event.

Note for Districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners: These districts are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

13th Annual “Our Kids Summer Institute” is June 13-14 - Come Get Inspired!

Don’t miss out on the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners, June 13-14, 2017 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement. Sessions include:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Featured speakers include:

• Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELs, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator
• Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population
• Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year
• Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and
• Our amazing students!

Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Register by June 4 at this link: https://goo.gl/2pXC0m

Note: Districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

13th Annual “Our Kids Summer Institute” is June 13-14 - Come Get Inspired!

Don’t miss out on the 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for educators and administrators of English Learners, June 13-14, 2017 at Waukee High School in Waukee. Network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement. Sessions include:

• Serving English Learners with Disabilities
• Newcomer Considerations
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
• ELs and Literacy Support
• Enhancing EL Instruction through Home Language Connections
• High Yield Strategies for ELs
• Successful District Programs
• First-person student voices

Featured speakers include:

• Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D. - Administrator leader and advocate for ELS, first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District where she began as a bilingual paraeducator
• Fern Westernoff, Ph.D. - Speech language pathologist who earned her doctorate in ELL and merged two areas of expertise to inform her work in Toronto, the world’s largest K-12 EL population
• Amy Hewett-Olatunde, Ed.D. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year
• Major Sean Quinlan - Retired Major United States Marine Corp, ROTC Instructor at Des Moines’ North High School and former football coach featured with his team on ESPN during the 2017 Super Bowl and...
• Our amazing students!

Registration is $150 and includes lunch, snacks, Go To Strategies, OELA Newcomer Toolkit and OELA English Learner Toolkit. Seating is limited to the first 500 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Register by June 4 at this link: https://goo.gl/2pXC0m

Note: Districts implementing Corrective Action Plans (CAP) for English Learners are required to send a team in accordance with the Technical Assistance Requirement under Title III. Contact your AEA Title III Consultant for additional information and financial support.

Line-Up Announced for Our Kids Summer Institute on June 13-14

The 13th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute for teachers and administrators of English Learners is set to take place at Waukee High School in Waukee on June 13-14. This local conference, which features national and local experts presenting on K-12 strategies specific to English Learners, includes strands for both teachers and administrators. Drawing around 500 educators statewide, the conference encourages attendance by school teams with an emphasis on non-ESOL educators in order to build much-needed capacity.

This year’s impressive line-up includes:

• Trudy Arriaga, EdD - The first female superintendent of Ventura Unified School District for 14 years and co-author with well-known Corwin equity and cultural proficiency expert, Randall Lindsey, Ph.D.

• Amy Hewett-Olatunde, EdD. - Minnesota’s 2015 Teacher of the Year and an English Learners teacher at LEAP High School

• Fern Westernoff, Ed.D. - A speech-language pathologist with almost 30 years of experience working with children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Toronto District School Board

We invite you to join us at Waukee High School in June for this excellent learning opportunity and a few surprises designed to support English Learners and their families in a variety of ways.

One licensure renewal credit will be available. Registration coming soon!

Save the Date! Our Kids Summer Institute 2017

Start early to identify your EL/general education teams who would like to attend this conference and watch for more information about Title III supports for attendees.

All Districts Invited to Attend the 12th Annual “Our Kids Summer Institute”

The 12th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 “Trip the Light” is an opportunity for education professionals to network with their peers, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.

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.

All Districts Invited to Attend the 12th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute

The 12th Annual Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 “Trip the Light” is an opportunity for education professionals to network with their peers, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.

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.

Check Out the Speaker Lineup for Our Kids Summer Institute!

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

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.

Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 is Open for Registration

Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 registration is OPEN! The 12th Annual Institute, “Trip the Light,” is an opportunity for education professionals to network with their peers, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.

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.

Registration is Open for Our Kids Summer Institute 2016

Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 registration is OPEN! The 12th Annual Institute, “Trip the Light,” is an opportunity for education professionals to network with their peers, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.

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

Read more about the conference
Register for the conference

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.

Register Now for Our Kids Summer Institute 2016

Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 registration is OPEN! The 12th Annual Institute, “Trip the Light,” provides participants an opportunity to network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.

Title III will reimburse Heartland AEA district educators for their registration fees, plus provide a stipend for attendance and full participation in either/both the pre-conference workshop on June 15, and/or the full two-day Our Kids Summer Institute on June 16 and 17, 2016. Claim forms will be available at each event. (Please note that this reimbursement through Heartland AEA does not include Des Moines Public Schools).

Date: June 15-17, 2016
Location: Waukee High School, 555 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
Read more about the conference
Register for the conference

Save the Date: Our Kids Summer Institute, June 16-17

Save the date for the annual Our Kids Summer Institute on June 16-17. This institute provides participants with the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners throughout Iowa.

Remember that districts writing Corrective Action Plans are required to send a team, so early registration is recommended. Registration for this outstanding professional development opportunity will be capped at 400. Keep watching for more information!

Save the Date: Our Kids Summer Institute, June 16-17

Save the date for the annual Our Kids Summer Institute on June 16-17. This institute provides participants with the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners throughout Iowa.

Remember that districts writing Corrective Action Plans are required to send a team, so early registration is recommended. Registration for this outstanding professional development opportunity will be capped at 400. Keep watching for more information!