Skip to content | Contact Us | Email | Site Map | Home

2009 Calendar

A list of local, state, and national professional development events of interest to adult & family literacy practitioners in Texas. If you know of other professional development opportunities or important dates of interest to Texas practitioners, please submit them to our Calendar Committee for consideration. For more information join one of our email discussion groups so you will always hear about the latest training opportunities. Click on "Discussion Lists" to read about these discussion lists and how to join.

November 3 - 6 2009: American Association of Adult & Continuing Education Annual Conference (AAACE) will be held at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio with preconferences November 1 and 2. For more information as plans are announced, visit the AAACE web site.

November 6, 2009: BEST Plus Refresher will be held from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Room 279, 1200 Amburn Rd., Texas City 77591. Presenter is Judy Bowman. This training may be done BEFORE the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit for review, fine-tuning, and practice; OR it may be done AFTER the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit as remediation and practice following an unsuccessful completion of the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit training. CAL approved test administrators will review objectives, content areas and question types of the BEST Plus oral interview, review the scoring rubric, review appropriate test administration procedures, and practice scoring the test. Each participant must bring his/her own TAG (Test Administrator’s Guide). Please use these numbers to register: CABEA: 6800110, registration number: 27632, and section number CY: 680. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 6-7, 2009: Scenario-Based ESOL Academy I will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Academy will be held at the Region II ESC - Room 3-15, 209 N. Water Street in Corpus Christi. The trainer will be Dr. Heide Spruck-Wrigley. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755. Note: Scenario-Based ESOL Academy I has been cancelled due to low enrollment.  Scenario-Based ESOL Academy has been rescheduled for Laredo on January 22-23, 2010. Go to the 2010 Calendar to register for this training.

November 7, 2009: BEST Plus Refresher will be held from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Room 279, 1200 Amburn Rd., Texas City 77591. Presenter is Judy Bowman. This training may be done BEFORE the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit for review, fine-tuning, and practice; OR it may be done AFTER the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit as remediation and practice following an unsuccessful completion of the BEST Plus Scoring Refresher Toolkit training. CAL approved test administrators will review objectives, content areas and question types of the BEST Plus oral interview, review the scoring rubric, review appropriate test administration procedures, and practice scoring the test. Each participant must bring his/her own TAG (Test Administrator’s Guide). Please use these numbers to register: CABEA: 6800110, registration number: 27633, and section number CY: 681. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 7, 2009: BEST Plus Training will be held from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Irvington Learning Center, 626 Lindale Blvd., Houston, 77022. Presenter is Bill Medina. The participants will study the rationale for the BEST Plus test and acquire sufficient mastery of the BEST Plus test to perform duties of a tester in administering, scoring, and interpreting the scores. Each participant MUST bring a Test Administrator's Guide to be certified as a BEST Plus test administrator. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800043, registration number 28441, and section number CY 682. Registration is closed for this training.

November 7, 2009: Overcoming the Challenges: Basic Communication Skills for Beginning ESL Learnersworkshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Laredo. The workshop will be held at Laredo Community College in the Eloy Garcia Building, West End Washington in Laredo. The trainer will be Ms. Riojas. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755. South Registration Form.

November 7, 2009: BEST Plus Training will be held from 8:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Abilene Adult Education, Abilene. Trainer is Debbie Van Pelt. Please contact Merri Lynn Rideout for further information (325)671-4419 ormerri.rideout@abileneisd.org. You must register to attend. West Registration Form

November 7, 2009: BEST Plus Test Administrator will be held from 9:15 am to 4:30 pm, Room 406, Texas State University-Round Rock Higher Education Learning Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock, 78665-8017. This training is required to obtain certification to administer the BEST Plus oral assessment. Sherry Smith will be the presenter. Please register to attend. Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/fallmini09. For more information please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 7, 2009: Teaching Beginning Literacy ESL will be held from 9:15 am to 4:30 pm, Room 404, Texas State University-Round Rock Higher Education Learning Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock, 78665-8017. Teachers learn how to create effective lessons with great strategies and activities that work best for our lowest level of ESL students. The presenters will be Wendy Taylor and Karen Milton. Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/fallmini09. For more information please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 7, 2009: Introduction to the Texas Adult Education Content Standards will be held from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm, Room 408, Texas State University-Round Rock Higher Education Learning Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock, 78665-8017. This is intended for ESL or ABE/ASE teachers new to the content standards. Mary Sampson will be the presenter. Please register to attend. Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/fallmini09. For more information please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 7, 2009: TABE Test Administrator will be held from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm, Room 407, Texas State University-Round Rock Higher Education Learning Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock, 78665-8017. This is an overview of the process for administering the TABE assessment, including correlating scale scores and using the math table. Terri Schiemenz will be the presenter. Please register to attend. Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/fallmini09. For more information please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 7, 2009: Lesson Planning with the Texas Adult Education Content Standards will be held from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Room 408, Texas State University-Round Rock Higher Education Learning Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock, 78665-8017. Prerequisite required: Introduction to the Texas Adult Education Content Standards or prior attendance to any Texas Adult Education Content Standards workshop. Teachers must bring current student/teacher materials in order to complete a lesson plan. Kelly Meeks will be the presenter. Please register to attend. Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/fallmini09. For more information please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 7, 2009: Using Music in the ESL Classroom will be held from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Room 407, Texas State University-Round Rock Higher Education Learning Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock, 78665-8017. Teachers will learn how to effectively incorporate music to support language instruction in the ESL classroom. Glenda Rose will be the presenter. Please register to attend. Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/fallmini09. For more information please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 7, 2009: BEST Plus Training will be held from 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Adult Learning Center located at 4305 N, McColl, McAllen 78541. The trainer will be Mr. Esteban Martinez. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755. South Registration Form.

November 7, 2009: Effective Record Keeping will be held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Tuttle Branch Library, 702 Kress St., Houston, 77020. Presenter is Martin Loa. This training introduces participants to techniques and strategies that will assist them in maintaining accurate, detailed, complete and effective records. Through the use of program forms and logs, participants will learn and understand effective record management and have the opportunity to practice through various activities, including creating electronic files to save important files and logs. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800281, registration number 28667, and section number CY 686. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 09, 2009: Transitioning Adult Basic Education Students to Post-Secondary Education will be held from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon at Austin Community College-Highland Business Center, Room 103.2, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, 78752. This workshop will provide Adult Education teachers and administrators a basic framework for thinking about, and planning for successful transitioning of adult basic education students to post-secondary education. Participants will identify challenges that adult basic education students face to successfully attending and completing college. This session is appropriate and both ESL and GED instructors. Dr. Sherry Nash will facilitate. You must registrer to attend. Central registration form. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 09, 2009: Transitioning Adult Basic Education Students to Post-Secondary Education will be held from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Austin Community College-Highland Business Center, Room 301.0, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, 78752. This workshop will provide Adult Education teachers and administrators a basic framework for thinking about, and planning for successful transitioning of adult basic education students to post-secondary education. Participants will identify challenges that adult basic education students face to successfully attending and completing college. This session is appropriate and both ESL and GED instructors. Dr. Sherry Nash will facilitate. You must registrer to attend. Central registration form. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 10, 2009: Effective Instruction for All Adult Education Students including Those with Special Learning Needs Training-of-Trainers Meeting #2 of 4 will be held at the Texas LEARNS office in Houston. Train-the-trainer participants attend the “regular” training on November 11-13 as well as this date. For more information, contact Tracy Hendrix at Texas LEARNS or Ken Appelt at TCALL.

November 10, 2009: BEST Plus Refresher will be held from 9 am - noon at Bowie-Cass Adult Education Cooperative 3201 Lincoln Ave., Texarkana 75503. Trainer will be Becky Collett. For more information, please contact Dean Ransdell at 903-793-5632, ext. 1710 or by email deanr@txkisd.net.

November 11-13, 1009: Effective Instruction for All Adult Education Students including Those with Special Learning Needs Training #2 of 4 will be held at the Texas LEARNS office in Houston. For more information, contact Tracy Hendrix at Texas LEARNS or Ken Appelt at TCALL.

November 13, 2009: Building Basic Computer Skills will be held from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Houston Read Commission – Denver Harbor, 6402 Market Street, Houston, 77022. Presenter is Bill Medina. The Building Basic Computer Skills module focuses on what a computer is and how it works. This module serves as a refresher for the experienced end-user and provides a sound foundation in basic computer skills for the novice. While getting hands-on experience with word processing and the web, users learn how to use standards and formatting features using Microsoft Word software. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800278, registration number 28443, and section number CY 683. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 13, 2009: The Internet as a Partner in Learning will be held from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Houston Read Commission – Denver Harbor, 6402 Market Street, Houston, 77022. Presenter is Bill Medina. This module introduces practitioners to key strategies for utilizing the Internet as a resource to integrate technology in the adult education classroom. While exploring the Internet, educational management systems and best practices in distance learning, the module explores new opportunities to supplement language instruction for the ESL student and advanced basic skills instruction for the ABE/ASE student. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800279, registration number 28444, and section number CY 684. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 13 and 14, 2009: ESL Instructor Training will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days at the College of the Mainland Learning Center, 200 Parker Court, League City, 77573. Participants must plan to attend both days. Presenters are Nichole Lopez and Wendy Taylor. This training is designed for new or relatively new instructors and is rooted in Dr. Heide Spruck Wrigley’s research on adult second language acquisition, learning theory, and studies in cognitive science. Participants will learn how to employ communicative language teaching strategies in the classroom to help ESL students learn the kind of language necessary to negotiate daily life in an English speaking environment. The strategies target beginning and intermediate beginning level students, but can be adapted for advanced students as well. Each participant receives an ESL instructional manual and toolkit that includes sample lessons and activities, classroom resources, and teaching guides. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA: 6800280, registration number: 26661, and section number CY: 679. You must register to attend. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 13-14, 2009: ABE/GED Academy: Moving Beyond the Basics, Session 1 of 3 - Making the Connection between the Classroom and the Workplace. This academy is designed to provide teachers with strategies, activities and resources they can use to provide instruction through a more contextual approach with an emphasis on not just the acquisition of skills but the student's ability to apply those skills at home, at work, and in the community. This initial workshop will focus on helping teachers make the connection between what they teach in their classrooms and how their students use those skills and concepts in a variety of settings. These sessions will be held on Friday (4:30-7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) at Socorro Community Learning Center, 313 S. Rio Vista Rd, El Paso. This is the first of three sessions -- remaining sessions will be held January 15-16 & February 12-13, with a follow-up session to be held April 9, 2010 . Attendees must participate in all three sessions and the follow-up to be eligible for the training stipend. You must register to attend - Register Online Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725.

November 13 & 14, 2009: Multi-Regional ABE/ASE Educator Academy will be held from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Friday) and 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Saturday) at the Harris County Department of Education, 626 Lindale, Houston, 77022. Participants must plan to attend both days. Presenter is Ms. Barbara Baird. The Academy will provide ABE/ASE teachers with adult learning theory, including brain-based instructional strategies and how to apply them in the classroom. Various classroom strategies will be introduced covering reading, writing and math. This Academy is ideal for teachers new to the ABE/ASE classroom as well as experienced teachers who are interested in becoming Master Teachers. The format for this academy begins with these initial two-day face-to-face sessions followed by three virtual web-based sessions on the following Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m.: December 5, 2009, January 30, 2010, and March 27, 2010. Teachers in the Coastal Region may apply for a stipend to participate in a Master Teacher project as part of the Academy. These teachers will have the opportunity to practice strategies in their classrooms and participate in Learning Circles facilitated by a mentor. For information about applying for the Master Teacher Project, please contact Tina Washco at tina.washco@lonestar.edu or 281-290-5259. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA: 6800151, registration number: 26670, and section number CY: 676. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 14, 2009: ESOL Academy II: Scenario-based ESOL, Session I of III, will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM at Austin Community College-Highland Business Center, Room 301.0, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin 78752. This course, led by Dr. Heide Wrigley, is held over three Saturdays. Future sessions will be January 9, 2010 (6 hours) and March 6, 2010 (3 hour virtual session). Participants must attend all sessions! This course includes hands-on activities that can be used directly in your ESOL classroom, strategy-based lessons to get students talking, lesson planning for optimal teaching and learning, informal processes to assess students' communication skills, and presentations that link research to practice. Read the informational flyer . Then apply to attend. The application deadline is October 30, 2009 and participation is limited to 25, so reserve your seat soon! For additional information please contact Stan Ashlock sa07@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 14, 2009: Cross-Cultural Communication Enhancement Part 1 will be held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Tuttle Branch Library, 702 Kress St., Houston, 77020. Presenter is Karen Couey. In this training, participants are introduced to the key concepts of cross-cultural communication so they can more effectively interact with students from different cultural backgrounds. Participants will explore the differences in communication styles, explore cultural assumptions, and identify how to deal with cultural misunderstandings. Simulations and group discussions will illustrate the key concepts. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800153, registration number 28447, and section number CY 685. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

November 14, 2009: Content Standards Training Follow-Up will be held from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at  1601 24th Street, Lubbock. Trainer is Gordon Peterson. Please contact Yolonda Moore for further information 806-281-5753 or  ymoore@esc17.net. You must register to attend. West Registration Form

November 16-17, 2009: National Conference on Effective Transition in Adult Education will be hosted by the National College Transitions Network at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island. Focus will be on strategies and promising practices that help adult learners succeed in postsecondary education and training. Further conference details will be posted on NCTN's website: www.collegetransition.org

November 20, 2009: Mathematics for Life Workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Uvalde.  The workshop will be held at the student center on the campus of Southwest Texas Junior College, conference rooms 1, 2, and 3, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde.  Trainers will be Ms. Denise Johnson and Mr. Manuel Navarro. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755. South Registration Form.

November 20, 2009: Cross-cultural Communication Enhancement for Students from Different Cultural Backgrounds workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Uvalde.  The workshop will be held at the student center on the campus of Southwest Texas Junior College, conference rooms 1, 2, and 3, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde. Trainer will be Ms. Karen Couey. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755. South Registration Form.

November 20-21, 2009: Far West Regional Training - Effective Instruction for All Adult Education Students including those with Special Learning Needs, Session 3 of 4: The content, techniques and strategies taught during this four-part training, conducted by Stacey Milberger, will provide teachers in the Far West Region with effective instructional methods for all adult education students, including those with special learning needs. This session will be held on Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Socorro ISD - District Service Center in Training Room A, 12440 Rojas, El Paso, TX. This is the third of four (4) sessions (remaining session: 1/29-30). Attendees must participate in all four sessions to be eligible for the training stipend. Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725.

November 20 & 21, 2009: Effective Instruction for all Adult Education Students including those with Special Learning Needs, Session II of IV will be held from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Navarro College, One Stop Student Center Room 108, 3200 West 7th Avenue, Corsicana 75110. This is training II of IV. Session III will be held Jan 22 & 23, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Session IV: March 5 & 6, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. You MUST have attended Session I to attend the remaining sessions. The multi-session training will assist adult educators understand the needs of adult learners, including those who have learning disabilities and other special learning needs. Participants learn to identify effective instructional practices with all learners, recognize possible learning disabilities, and apply accommodations to assist adult learners with special learning needs to maximize their potential in reaching their goals. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

November 20, 2009: South Central GREAT Center Advisory Committee Meeting will be held at Education Service Center-20 , 1314 Hines, Building 3, Room 200, San Antonio 78208 from 10:00 am - Noon.

November 21, 2009: Cross-Cultural Communication Enhancement Part 2 will be held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Tuttle Branch Library, 702 Kress St., Houston, 77020. Presenter is Martin Loa. This training is a continuation of Cross Cultural Communication Enhancement Part 1 which is a prerequisite to this course. In this course, participants have opportunities to practice communication skills that include active listening and conflict resolution. Participants will receive a copy of "Making It Work," a workbook on conflict and communication for adult literacy learners. It will be included in the training and can be used in the ABE or ESL classroom. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA 6800253, registration number 28668, and section number CY 687. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

December 2009

December 1, 2009: Far West GREAT Center Advisory Committee Meeting will be held from 10:00 am - noon. The location is yet to be determined.

December 4, 2009: BEST Plus Refresher workshop will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in Laredo.  The workshop will be held in the Eloy Garcia Building at Laredo Community College, West End Washington in Laredo. The trainer will be Ms. Yvette Ortiz. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755.

December 4 - 5, 2009: Effective Instruction for All Adult Education Students Including Those with Special Learning Needs #2 will be held at Southwest Texas Junior College, Matthews Student Union Building, conference rooms 1, 2 and 3, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde. The trainers will be Ms. Alex Baez and Ms. Carol Speigl. Participation for this institute is by invitation.  For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755.

December 4 & 5, 2009: Multi-Regional ESOL Academy: Scenario-Based Instruction will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days at the Harris County Department of Education, 626 Lindale Blvd., Houston, 77022. Participants must plan to attend both days. Nationally known researchers Dr. Heide Spruck Wrigley and Jim Powrie will facilitate this Academy. This Academy demonstrates how everyday problem-solving scenarios can be used to integrate language development and critical thinking. Teachers will receive a series of scenarios related to life skills, family literacy, EL Civics, and work and will get support in creating their own mini-scenarios; gain increased knowledge about second language acquisition theory and its application to practice; and learn new strategies and activities to try in their classroom. Teachers in the Coastal Region may apply for a stipend to participate in a Master Teacher project as part of the Academy. These teachers will have the opportunity to practice strategies in their classrooms and participate in Learning Circles facilitated by a mentor. For information about applying for the Master Teacher Project, please contact Tina Washco at tina.washco@lonestar.edu or 281-290-5259. Please use these numbers to register: CABEA: 6800134, registration number: 26668, and section number CY: 677. You must register to attend. Coastal Registration form For more information, please email CoastalCF@lonestar.edu.

December 4-5, 2009: ESL Multi-Level Academy - Session 1: Training will be facilitated by Sara Worthington. This academy is designed to boost the instructional power of those teaching in multilevel ESL settings. Participants will explore activities and strategies which allow students to improve their language skills according to their current levels, not where they "should be.” We’ll discuss activities and strategies for listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar as well as how to structure class activities to maximize instruction in the multilevel classroom. Participants will create a resource book that can be used immediately in their current teaching position. These sessions will be held on Friday (4:30-7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). The location will be announced at a later date. This is the first of three sessions (remaining sessions: 1/22-23, 4/23-24). Follow-up session is scheduled for May 14, 2010. Attendees must participate in all three sessions and the follow-up to be eligible for the training stipend. Academy is limited to 20 participants. Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725. Register Online now!

December 5, 2009: ABE/ASE Academy (Session II of IV) will be held virtually from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. This academy began with an initial 1 1/2 day face-to-face session on October 9 & 10, 2009. Ms. Barbara Baird is the facilitator. This Academy is ideal for teachers new to the ABE/ASE classroom as well as experienced teachers who are interested in becoming Master Teachers. ABE/ASE teachers will learn adult learning theory along with brain-based instructional strategies and how to apply them in the classroom. Classroom strategies will cover reading and writing, and teachers will have the opportunity to practice strategies in their classrooms between sessions. You must have attended Session I to attend this session. Session III and IV will be held virtually on January 30, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and March 27, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Teachers must attend ALL sessions! Please read the online flyer.. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

December 5, 2009: Culture and Learning in the ESOL Classroom, Session I of II will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, in the Arrowhead Room, Navarro College, 3200 West 7th Avenue, Corsicana 75110. This workshop is a 2-part session totaling 9 hours of Professional Development for adult ESOL instructors. This workshop will look at goals of cultural instruction as well as how culture is often learned. There will be hands on activities for teachers to do as they share with each other their own cultural experiences and values, discussing how these are similar to or different from those that their adult learners may hold, and develop strategies to both recognize similarities and bridge differences. The facilitator will be Linda Muñoz. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522. Please register to attend Central registration form.  Session II of II TBA. 

December 5, 2009: BEST Plus workshop for new users will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Laredo. The workshop will be held in the Eloy Garcia Building at Laredo Community College, West End Washington in Laredo. The trainer will be Ms. Yvette Ortiz. For more information, please contact Mr. Barry Johnson at kublj001@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2755.

December 8, 2009: Central GREAT Region Quarterly Advisory Committee Meeting will take place from 10 am to 12 noon at the Texas State University Round Rock Higher Education Center, 1555 University Blvd, Round Rock 78665, Room 454. For agenda items please contact Stan Ashlock at sa07@txstate.edu and for logistical questions Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu Both can be reached at 877-798-5522.

December 11, 2009: ESOL Reading Institute: Research-based Strategies for ESOL Reading, Session II of III will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM in Austin, location TBA. This session is available only to participants who registered for and attended the ESOL Reading Institute: Researched-based Strategies for ESOL Reading Session I of III held on October 9, 2009. Session III will be held February 13, 2010. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

December 12, 2009: ESOL Workforce Academy, Session II of III, will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM in Austin, exact location TBA. This session is available only to participants who registered for and attended the ESOL Workforce Academy, Session I of III on October 10, 2009. Session III will be held February 20, 2010. For additional information, please contact Mario Mokarzel at mm64@txstate.edu or 1-877-798-5522.

December 12, 2009: New Teacher Academy, Session 2 of 4 will be held from 8:30 - 3:30 p.m. at El Paso Community College, El Paso. Remaining sessions will be held February 6, & April 10, 2010. Attendees must participate in all four sessions to be eligible for the training stipend. This academy is targeted to new teachers in the Adult Education field. The facilitator will provide resources to lesson plans, classroom activities and brainstorming sessions that will assist the attendees in exploring new methods to address classroom needs. A mentoring component is included in the academy that will connect an experienced teacher with a novice. As part of the mentoring component, the mentee shall evaluate his/her teaching methods and explore new delivery based on the information presented in the academy's sessions. Please email farwestg@farwestgreat.org if you have any questions or call (915) 937-1725.