Professional Development Workshops
Championing the front line in Adult Basic Education.
At First Literacy we know that supporting the front line in Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps ensure that adult learners receive the high-quality education they need to reach their full potential.
First Literacy professional development workshops provide free, evidence-based training and materials for Adult Basic Education teachers, program administrators, and counselors of adult literacy programs across Massachusetts. We know that professional development isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we tailor each workshop to the unique needs of our participants by soliciting educator input at registration. Because we don’t rely on federal funding, we are able to adapt our workshop topics based on educator requests, not public mandates.
In addition to our free workshops, we provide a library of online resources that can be accessed at any time. We offer ready-to-use lesson plans, worksheets, tools, and First Literacy Grant project presentations. All resources can be adapted and incorporated into your own classes.
To be notified of upcoming workshops, be sure to sign up for our mailing list! For more information about our workshops or resources feel free to contact Bryan McCormick at bmccormick@firstliteracy.org
Register for Workshops
See below for the 2024-2025 workshop calendar! Registration for winter and spring 2025 workshops will open soon. Please note that two-part workshops include two sessions where attendance is required for both.
First Literacy is located at 160 Boylston Street, Boston (ACROSS from Boston Common, NOT in Jamaica Plain). We hope you will come in to see us, and to learn and catch up with your colleagues in person.
When registration is open, titles will be active links in blue to click, learn more and register!
SEPTEMBER
High School Equivalency (HSE) Test Changes In Massachusetts
Presenter: Michael Farma
Friday, September 27, 2024 (in person only)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Description
This workshop will discuss policy changes to the HSE Exams in Massachusetts and compare the GED and HiSET Exams. Attendees will also leave with strategies to help your students pass the exams with higher scores.
OCTOBER
Foundations in Teaching Adult ESOL Students
Presenter: Erica Fleitas
Part 1: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 (online only via Zoom)
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Part 2: Thursday, October 10, 2024 (online only via Zoom)
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Description
Educators of multilingual learners of English undertake extensive curriculum preparation – and they also strive to build dynamic and rigorous lessons for meaningful learning to take place. Foundations in Teaching Adult Multilingual Learners of English aims to support newly certified and/ or volunteer teachers with minimal teaching experience in utilizing effective lesson planning strategies, tools, and resources to ease this impressive workload. In this 2-part workshop, participants will identify criteria for dynamic language acquisition and determine components in creating an engaging, communicative, learner-centered lesson plan. Come ready to explore and collaborate – and take away useful resources and a personalized lesson plan template!
Executive Function for Lesson Design and Student Motivation
Presenter: Jessica Connors
Part 1: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 (in person only)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Part 2: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (online only via Zoom)
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Description
Executive function refers to the mental processes that regulate self-directed and goal-oriented behavior. This workshop aims to provide educators with a foundational understanding of executive function and its impact on student learning. Participants will explore essential executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, time management, self-regulation, prioritization, task initiation and persistence, motivation, and mental flexibility.
The workshop will also delve into the concept of cognitive load and how it relates to lesson design, helping educators create lessons that accommodate students’ cognitive capacities. Additionally, strategies for improving student motivation will be introduced, enabling students to engage more effectively with their learning.
By understanding executive function and recognizing the challenges faced by students with executive function deficits, educators can develop effective lesson plans, design engaging activities, and foster a motivating learning environment both in and out of the classroom.
Flexible Lesson Strategies for ESOL Teachers to Unlock Deeper Learning
Presenter: Rob Sheppard
Part 1: Friday, October 18, 2024 (in person only)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Part 2: Friday, October 25, 2024 (via Zoom only)
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Description
In the language classroom, some of the most impactful moments arise spontaneously from authentic exchanges. Yet, for newer teachers, veering off the lesson plan to embrace these opportunities can feel daunting. This workshop is designed to equip new teachers with practical strategies and adaptable activity templates. Participants will explore how to integrate strategies into their teaching repertoire effectively. Attendees should plan to bring examples of their current curriculum or textbook to facilitate discussions and tailor the strategies to your specific context. Grounded in second language acquisition research, this workshop draws inspiration from Dogme ELT and task-based language teaching principles. However, no prior familiarity with these concepts is necessary—this workshop is entirely focused on enhancing classroom practice.
Effective Advising In Your Neighborhood: Navigating Local Resources
Presenters: Debbie Centamore and Wadyla Jacob
Part 1: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 (in person only)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Part 2: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Description
Learn how to build a list of community resources for your students. Where do you start? Who can best help your student? How do you make referrals, and to whom? This workshop will help you build your Advising Toolkit.
NOVEMBER
Enriching Your Lessons with Google Arts and Culture
Presenter: Andrew Shapira
Friday, November 8, 2024 (online only via Zoom)
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Description
Artwork can serve as a dynamic tool in adult ESOL and ABE classes, offering a gateway to explore diverse cultures, historical eras, and ignite thought-provoking conversations. In this workshop, we will delve into the rich resources of Google Arts and Culture, which hosts an extensive collection of paintings, photographs, and various art forms. Participants will discover specific activities designed to enhance vocabulary acquisition, speaking, writing skills, and more through engaging with art. Additionally, we will explore how teachers can leverage local museum and cultural institution collections to enrich classroom experiences.
Moving Beyond Student Persistence to Student Success
Presenter: Emile “Mike” Boutin, Jr, EdD, ACC
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 (in person only)
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Please note, this workshop will be held in person at the following location:
Watertown Public Library
123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472
Description
This interactive workshop will review current research on persistence, retention, and student success, and explore issues of self-agency and motivation, and the obstacles that prevent students from succeeding. Practical classroom tips and approaches will assist educators in leading students towards success.
DECEMBER
Grow your Grammar Game!
Presenter: Debbie Centamore
Friday, December 6, 2024 (in person only)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Description
Do your students find the present perfect puzzling? Do you feel comfortable explaining the difference between will and going to? Do students confuse the difference between “Are you?” or “Do you?” Let’s explore how to teach the grammar you, the teacher, never had to learn.
JANUARY
AI-Assisted Lesson Design: A Step-by-Step Guide
Presenter: Victoria Lansdown
Part 1: Friday, January 24, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Part 2: Friday, January 31, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Description
Don’t miss this transformative workshop on AI-Assisted Lesson Design. Learn how to leverage the power of generative AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to streamline your workflow, personalize instruction, and create engaging learning experiences. Discover practical strategies for prompt engineering, automating tasks, and differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of your students. By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped to effectively integrate AI into your teaching practice.
FEBRUARY
Preserving Your Most Precious Resource: Best Practices in ESOL Teacher Retention
Presenter: Anna DeNicolo
Friday, February 7, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Description
One of the biggest challenges ESOL program administrators face is retaining teachers session after session. Teacher turnover can negatively impact learners, staff, and program funding. What can program administrators do to encourage ESOL instructors, assistants and tutors (paid or volunteer) to stay with their programs? In this workshop, participants will learn concrete strategies that will improve their programs’ retention rates, engage in a self-assessment of their own program, and select one or more best practices that they will plan to implement in the near future.
MARCH
Talk with Me Toolkits: Digital Resources for Parents in Adult Education Programs
Presenter: Carol Clymer and Beth McLean
Part 1: Friday, March 14, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 2:30 PM
Part 2: Friday, March 21, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 2:30 PM
Description
Learn how the Smithsonian Institution’s free, online Talk with Me Toolkits can be used in family literacy and adult education programs. The Toolkits allow access to world-renowned artifacts from the Smithsonian’s digital collection and provide adults with ideas and questions to start conversations and interact with their children. They can also be used to support ELL students’ vocabulary, conversation and listening skill development. This will be a two-part workshop with opportunities for peer interaction and lesson plan development related to the Toolkits.
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: Using Compassionate Conversations to Guide People Toward Growth and Change
Presenter: Sara Schieffelin, LICSW
Part 1: Friday, March 28, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Part 2: Friday, April 4, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Description
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, person-centered method for fostering change and growth and is applicable across a broad range of helping professions. MI is defined as “a particular way of talking with people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment.” (Miller & Rollnick, 2023) MI’s guiding principles, referred to as the “spirit” or “heart-set and mind-set,” include compassion, partnership, acceptance, empowerment, and the promotion of personal autonomy. With these guiding principles, and in concert with its core skills of open questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries, Motivational Interviewing supports those in the helping professions to develop stronger and more effective relationships with persons served. This highly participatory and experiential workshop will introduce learners to Motivational Interviewing.
APRIL
Entrepreneurship Tools for Educators
Presenter: Mariette Ayala and Alexandra Trunnell
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (in person only)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Description
In this 3-hour hands-on workshop, teachers will learn the fundamentals of small business and entrepreneurship, focusing on how to transform their curriculum, classroom aids, and learning modules into marketable products. Participants will explore strategies for identifying target audiences, creating a brand through learning Canva (a free design tool), and navigating online platforms for selling educational resources. By the end of the workshop, educators will be equipped to turn their educational innovations into entrepreneurial opportunities, supporting their professional growth and financial empowerment.
MAY
Gaming up your classroom: Lessons in adding fun and movement to any lesson
Presenter: Bryan Campbell McCormick
Friday, May 2, 2025 (in person only)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Description
This workshop helps adult basic education teachers deepen learning and add engagement to their classrooms through games and movement-based learning strategies. Participants will explore techniques for incorporating interactive activities that make learning more enjoyable and memorable and can be used in any lesson. Through hands-on practice, teachers will learn how to adapt games and movement to fit their unique teaching environments and student needs. The session offers simple, effective ways to increase student participation and improve knowledge retention. Join us to discover how small changes can create a more dynamic and energized classroom!
Tech In and Beyond the classroom!
Presenter: Caroline McKinnon
Friday, May 16, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Description
Together we will look at practical ways to engage both educators and students in technology in the classroom, with practical examples and ideas to spark curiosity for technology learning beyond the classroom.
Digital Writing Skills
Presenter: Dr. Christine Miller and Dr. Daphne Greenberg
Friday, May 30, 2025 (online only via Zoom)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Description
Do you have learners who want to develop their writing skills? While writing skills have always been important for navigating daily life, it is increasingly done online. Digital writing requires three kinds of skills – writing, keyboarding, and word processing. In this workshop, we will show you how to teach academic writing skills using interactive class activities. We will also show you free online resources to assess digital literacy, and teach keyboarding, word processing, and grammar skills.