As I write this, I look out my window for the first sights and sounds of spring. Hope is in the air. At the same time, I’m half-listening/half-watching the news – in Japan, Libya, Wisconsin, New Jersey – events forcing me to think about people I don’t know around the world, across our country, as well as here at home. It’s all unsettling, and yet, there is promise in the idea that, were it not for technology, we would not know half of what we do about what’s happening “out there”. In-the-moment exchanges on
Twitter and Facebook, the sharing of experiences via blogs, Skype, and other social media, have connected us like never before.
Globalization is indeed changing the world. As an organization that advocates for the diverse citizens in our schools, we must embrace the tools that will help us to teach, learn, and connect – locally and globally. This year’s Spring Conference theme –
Creating Global Learning Communities for ELLs – represents the initiative of NJTESOL/NJBE to support and encourage educators across the state to take advantage of learning and advocacy opportunities made possible by the
Web, and by the enriching kinds of exchanges that link learners and educators near and far. This year’s conference continues a long-standing tradition of providing attendees with a broad variety of workshops, as well as tailor-made selections for every Special Interest Group.
Featured Presentations:
An important part of my PLN (Personal Learning Network) and sure to become part of yours is
Keith Schoch. He’ll share exciting information about how to use Picture Books with ELLs during two workshops on Wednesday, May 25.
Monica Schnee – a PBS Teacher Innovation Award Winner – will share her expertise in using Web 2.0 tools with our youngest ELLs on Tuesday, May 24. Well-known and regarded as mentors to many NJ educators,
Elizabeth “BJ” Franks and Barbara Tedesco will share information on the WIDA and its alignment with standards, curriculum, and instruction. Have you heard of the website
www.ColorinColorado.org? Lydia Breiseth will be at our conference on both days, to share this amazing website’s wealth of resources for both teachers and parents of ELLs.
We’ve got the winning team of Debbie Zacarian and our own
Judie Haynes scheduled to present; they’ll give an informative session on strategies for meeting the needs of beginning ELLs.
Kevin LaMastra will speak about transforming ELLs into successful students and global citizens, and
José-Luis Orozco, children’s author and recording artist, will sing his way in to your hearts during his very lively sessions presented on both days of the conference. We’re looking forward to hearing from
Raquel Sinai, Lori Ramella, and Ericka Reed, who will provide us, on both days of the conference, with the Department of Education’s most current information on state and federal requirements for bilingual, ESL, and Title III of No Child Left Behind.
Since Dual Language programs have increasingly become a topic of interest and discussion, we have
Dr. Vivian Rodriguez and Dr. Geraldine Oades-Sesa, who will share the exciting results of a study they conducted in an early childhood setting. Those who work in bilingual settings will benefit from
Ana Mistral’s expertise, and those who seek advice about differentiating instruction will want to hear what
Rebecca Freeman Field has to say. Lisa Rose Johnson will be on hand to talk about co-teaching, and
April Ponticello and teaching partner, Elisabete Mazzeo, will show you what successful team-teaching and sheltered instruction look like.
While there are several technology workshops being offered this year, it’s not required that you bring your own laptop. Internet service will not be available for conference participants. We do, however, encourage you to follow us on
Facebook (NJTESOL-NJBE) and on Twitter (@NJTESOL_NJBE) where we’ll update you on the latest news both prior to, and during, the conference. To add to the excitement of the conference, make the most of your cell phone and post your thoughts and experiences to our Facebook page and/or Twitter during the event. Who knows? There may be a surprise or two in store for conference participants who connect with us virtually during the conference!
We urge you to use a personal email address for all correspondence with NJTESOL/NJBE. Many of you have provided us with a school email address. However, most schools have established security blocks, so you may have missed important news as well as notices regarding the conference. Please take a moment to update your membership details with us. There will be a table for you to do so at the conference.
On Tuesday, May 24, we will be hosting our first
Higher Education Mini-Conference. A series of concurrent workshops will be held, addressing the specific needs and interests of our Higher Ed population. Make sure to look at the schedule on our website for a listing of these workshops. This event marks the beginning of a collaborative effort between NJTESOL/NJBE and our Higher Ed membership.
Our liaison, Dave Greer, has worked diligently to gather a great group of exhibitors for this year’s conference. Be sure to visit the hotel atrium, where you can peruse the materials and resources at the exhibitors’ tables. This time well spent will earn you an extra hour of professional development.
Be sure to join us on Tuesday evening, May 24! Our keynote speaker,
Dr. Nancy Cloud, will discuss essential research-based practices that teachers can implement in their classrooms. Our annual awards presentations will take place at this event. An “Around the World” dinner buffet, complemented by a Middle Eastern and Spanish dance presentation, will top off your conference experience. See you there!
[Be sure to check your program for any last minute scheduling changes.]
Cassandra Lawrence is Vice President of NJTESOL/NJBE and Spring Conference Chair; she may be reached at
clawrence@njtesol-njbe.org. She is a bilingual elementary teacher in the Perth Amboy School District.
