Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - March 20, 2017
"Our Kids": The Role of the ELD Teacher
by Sarah Ottow
We, as ELL teachers, already know how to work well with English learners. We know
what we need to do to help them succeed. But classroom teachers don't always know what to do and they don't always understand that we can help! We are there to be a resource and an advocate. At the end of the day, the questions are: "How do we, ELL specialists, establish strong relationships with general education teachers? How do we keep focused on a shared mission of supporting ELLs and set everyone up for success within a system that is often setting us up for failure?"
This was spoken by an ELL teacher during a recent workshop and planning session I facilitated for an urban district in Massachusetts. This group of teachers was comprised entirely of ELL specialists from across all schools K-12 in the district. It was our third meeting together. These ELL specialists came during their free time, after school, until 7:00PM each time to work together to improve their craft. Talk about dedication! I saw this dedication with the group and I have seen it many times before.
As one teacher expressed, I love my kids so much, but they are not always with me; I only see them an hour each day. So I need to figure out how to better manage how I communicate with the other teachers my kids come in contact with. I see them shutting down and that scares me. I want them to be successful in every classroom, not just mine. The job of the ELL specialist, as I will discuss here, is largely one of a change agent who manages relationships, looking for "entry points" into collaboration. Relationships can be tricky and we are often unprepared for this work. However, in our quest for equitable schooling for ELLs, we must find ways to collaborate effectively. Our students deserve it.
Read more here about how to support all teachers in working with "our students," all students.
Ellevation Education Wants to Hear from Classroom Teachers
Ellevation Education is interested in speaking to classroom teachers to learn more about your ELLs and how you are using Instructional Strategies.
Here are the important details:
- It will be an informal conversation about teaching, ELLs and Ellevation. You do not need to prepare anything.
- You can easily schedule a time that works for you. Click here to set a time to chat.
- You can speak with them via video conference on the internet or via phone, whichever is most convenient.
- In exchange for your time, they will be providing $10 gift cards for Amazon.
If you have questions, please contact Daniel Scibienski at daniels@ellevationeducation.com.
Call for Proposals: NABE 2018
NABE is seeking proposals that engage participants in topics related to quality education for DLLs such as:
- achieving educational equity for DLLs
- ensuring social justice for DLLs through strong linguistic and academic attainment
- providing equal educational opportunities for DLLs
NABE uses a peer review process with a panel of over 35 reviewers from across the nation to ensure that all accepted proposals are of the highest quality for our attendees.
NABE invites all education experts, researchers, authors and successful practitioners with information of interest to submit a proposal. We also encourage multilingual proposals.
Guidelines for NABE conference proposals are linked here. Proposal submissions are due by June 30, 2017.
The office of Language and Cultural Services will provide registration and travel funds for any Tulsa Public Schools team member who is accepted to present at NABE 2018 in Albuquerque, NM on March 1-3, 2018.
NCELA Fast Facts
These new Fast Facts sheets—EL Profiles and Languages Spoken by ELs—reflect the most up-to-date statistics from the Consolidated State Progress Reports.
OERB Can Fund Your Field Trip!
Did you know field trip funding is available through the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) for educators who have completed the OERB teacher training?
OERB program highlights include:
- Free curricula resources to educators across the state
- Curricula that meet the Oklahoma Academic Standards
- $50 stipend and professional development hours for teachers
- Free field trip and educational program for students to one of several area museums, including the Sam Noble Museum
The Sam Noble Museum's education department offers OERB-approved classes for grades K-12 for educators who have completed the OERB curriculum training.
For more information on receiving financial assistance for your next school field trip, visit the OERB's HomeRoom page.
Happy Birthday! WIDA Can Do Key Uses Edition
Launched one year ago, the WIDA Can Do Descriptors Key Uses Edition remains one of the most powerful tools for teachers. The K-Grade 12 booklets offer a focus on what language learners can do to participate meaningfully in teaching and learning in academic contexts.
Find out moreREMINDER: Nominations open: Tomás Rivera Scholar & Volunteer Awards
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Affairs Commission, a civil rights committee for the City of Tulsa, annually recognizes Latino scholars as well as workers and volunteers who work to support Latino education in the Tulsa area. Criteria for recognition for both categories are listed on the nomination form (English) (Spanish).
Nomination forms are due by March 31, 2017 and submission information is listed on the nomination form.
This is a great opportunity to recognize the great achievement of our Latino students and those in our schools who are doing exceptional jobs of supporting and serving Latino students. Please share this information with colleagues and the community.
ELD Virtual Department Meetings for March
Elementary ELD Virtual Department Meeting
Tulsa Public Schools Immigration Frequently Asked Questions
ACCESS 2017 Planning Resources
Test window: February 6, 2017 to March 31, 2017
Materials pick up at Enrollment Center: January 30 and 31, 2017
Tech support reminders:
- If technical support is needed or an error message received during testing, please notify your ELD Coordinator and submit a Helpdesk ticket. If you are able to resolve the issue, please send an update to both the ELD Coordinator and the Helpdesk.
- If you have to call DRC helpdesk, please save the DRC ticket number. If our Helpdesk has to follow up on an issue with DRC, they have to have the DRC ticket number in order to connect the issue.
ACCESS 2.0 & Alternate ACCESS
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Test Administrator Form
- Training Schedule
- Accessibility and Accommodations Supplement
- ACCESS Training Folder
- ACCESS 2017 Roster (saved template in Ellevation's Export Wizard)
ACCESS 2.0
- ACCESS 2.0 Headphone Specifications
- ACCESS 2.0 Sample Items (open using Chrome browser)
Alternate ACCESS
Missed a Department Meeting?
Elementary ELD Department Meetings
Language & Cultural Services Events
Week of March 20:
March 21, 3:45pm - ESL Certification Study Group (Elementary)
March 21, 4:45pm - ESL Certification Study Group (Secondary)
March 23, 3:30pm - SIOP Seminar: Student Engagement and Motivation (Elementary)
March 23, 4:00pm - Dual Language PLC, Grades 2 - 5
March 23, 4:30pm - SIOP Seminar: Student Engagement and Motivation (High School)
March 23, 5:30pm - SIOP Seminar: Student Engagement and Motivation (Junior High)
March 25, 9:00am - SIOP Saturday: Lesson Delivery
Week of March 27:
March 29, 2:30pm - Interpreter Skill Building Training (Edivate)
All events are listed in MyLearningPlan unless otherwise noted. Please pre-register and verify session location in MLP.
Check out the Language & Cultural Services events calendar for future events.
LCS Bulletins for SY 2016-2017
March 6, 2017 February 27, 2017 February 13, 2017 February 6, 2017 January 30, 2017 January 23, 2017 January 16, 2017 January 9, 2017 December 12, 2016 November 28, 2016 November 21, 2016 November 14, 2016 November 7, 2016 October 31, 2016 October 24, 2016 October 17, 2016 October 10, 2016 October 3, 2016 September 27, 2016 September 19, 2016 September 12, 2016 September 4, 2016