Professional Development
TESOL 2017 International Convention & English Language Expo
March 21-24, 2017
Description: The 2017 TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Expo is tailored specifically toward English language teaching for speakers of other languages. The conference showcased current research on issues and teaching methodologies in ELA (English Language Acquisition). As student motivation, cell phone use, and low literacy in students' L1 (First Language) were reoccurring issues within my classroom, I attended lectures on "English Language Motivation Between Gender and Cultures," "Empowering Teachers to Engage Students With Learning Disabilities," "Using Cell Phones to Create Student-Powered Podcasts," and "Shaping Better Learners and Citizens Through Project-Based Learning".
Western Washington University (WWU) Student Practicum Mentor
May 2017- February 2018
Description: Met weekly with a WWU student obtaining a TESOL certificate to discuss trainer & trainee observations, course plans, expectations, and possible topics for her to develop lessons and activities. Provided feedback on conducted lessons taught Mondays and Thursdays over spring quarter 2018.
Translanguaging Pedagogy in TESOL Classrooms
October 19, 2016 (7:30-9:00)
Description: Tatyana Kleyn, Kate Menken, and Maite Sanchez presented on translanguaging theory. The webinar: (a) provided an in-depth overview of the theory, (b) demonstrated examples of students translanguaging in different contexts and (c) discussed drawbacks and benefits of translanguaging in the classroom.
Reading Apprenticeship Workshop
October 9, 2016
Description: A one-day interactive workshop that provided techniques and resources to enrich texts, help students make connections to texts and their lives, and increase student reading engagement and independence to master subject matter and optimize understanding.
Using Formative Assessment in the Classroom to Monitor Student Learning
January 13, 2016 (7:30-9:00)
Description: Lorraine Valdez Pierce presented on two different forms of assessment: formative and summative. In this webinar, she distinguished the differences between the two forms, and discussed the importance of assessment as means to guide and increase student learning.
Open Education Resource Course
September 16, 2015
Description: The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) provided a two-week online experiential course on integrating Open Education Resources (OER) into one's teaching practice. The course: (a) distinguished different types of licenses; public domain, all rights reserved, copyrights, (b) provided resources to public domains, and (c) guided teachers how to contribute work to the Creative Commons.
Introduction to Canvas Training
September 10, 2015
Description: A three-week course provided by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to help familiarize faculty with the digital management system. The course guided faculty in designing a professional, organized, and user-friendly course webpage.
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Training
September 9, 2015
Description: A one-day training to better understand Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) and English language education standards within the state of Washington.
Teaching Modals Across the Levels
April 22, 2015 (7:30 - 9:00)
Description: Professor Colin Ward presented on issues in teaching and learning grammar for facilitating academic language development. The webinar: (a) showed how modals and related structures are used in written vs. spoken language, (b) provided helpful ways to approach teaching modals at different levels, (c) explored subtle distinctions among similar modals and the use of modals in constructions such as passive sentences and conditional clauses, (d) explained how modals are used for hedging in academic language and (e) provided a number of exercises and activities for helping ESL students practice modals.
Crossing the Border: Helping Students Reach Advanced-Level Proficiency
March 6, 2015 (14:00 - 16:00)
Description: Professor Eileen Glissan discussed factors involved in building proficiency at advanced college-level study, including building a discourse community in language courses; the use of meaningful contexts such as current events, literature, and film; and out-of-class activities. The importance of ongoing proficiency assessment for formative and summative purposes were also highlighted.
Steinbeck Writing Coach Volunteer
March 2, 2015 (11:00 - 13:45)
Description: Writing coach for young authors in Monterey. Coached two 7th graders and helped them improve their essays. We focused on introductions, conclusions and using evidence to support topic sentences.
Pacific Grove Adult School Volunteer
February 11, 2015 (9:00 - 12:15)
Description: Made photo copies and helped students with in-class worksheets. Prepared activities for the following lesson.
Communication in a Multilingual Europe
February 10, 2015 (12:15 - 13:30)
Description: Three EU Commission staff linguists discussed Multilingualism, a unique cornerstone policy designed to protect diversity and promote language learning.
Inter-cultural Communication in the Language Classroom
February 7, 2015 (8:30 - 12:00)
Description: This CATESOL Steinbeck Chapter conference provided approaches, skills, strategies, tools, and resources for language educators working with students with various identities and from a variety of cultural & educational backgrounds. Panelists discussed ways to: value multiple cultures; create course materials & activities that highlight students’ backgrounds; demonstrate sensitivity to students’ various & shifting identities during class discussions; and manage conflicts in the classroom.