Program at a Glance

A Message from the Organizing Committee
Conference Highlights
Conference Agenda
Keynote Speakers
Featured Speakers
Your Feedback

A Message from the Organizing Committee

The Organizing Committee is proud to bring to the school administrators, teachers, college faculty, college education mayors, community leaders, and non-profit organizations of North Carolina an exciting program with the participation of successful practitioners at the national, state and county level in ESL programs, self-esteem development, parental involvement, and linguistically/diverse populations as a positive resource.

We are proud to have Yolanda N. Padrón, Ed.D., Professor at Texas A&M University in the Department of Educational Psychology as one of our keynote speakers. Dr. Padrón served as Co-Director and principal researcher in the National Center for Research on Education Diversity and Excellence (CREDE).  Her research has focused on improving classroom instruction and reading instruction for Hispanic English Language Learners. Dr. Padrón’s research has concentrated on bilingual students’ cognitive strategies in reading, teacher training programs and resiliency. Her publications have appeared in journals such as TESOL Quarterly, Journal of Social Psychology, Educational Horizons, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science, Journal of Educational Equity and Leadership and The Reading Teacher. In addition, she has been Associate Editor for The Bilingual Research Journal and is co-author of a book series: Research on Educational Diversity and Excellence.

Dr. Padrón received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction/bilingual education from the University of Houston. Her presentation will be based on the work on resiliency conducted through CREDE, and she will address instructional practices that have been found significant in advancing the achievement of Hispanic students.

We are also excited to have Field Services Specialist for Communities in Schools of NC, Danya C. Perry as our second keynote speaker.  Mr. Perry has been with CISNC for the past 2 years.  Before joining CISNC, Mr. Perry worked as a research associate for the Center for the Prevention of School Violence.  In 1998 he became the Youth Out of the Education Mainstream (YOEM) Coordinator, which focused on alterative learning programs and building resiliency in at-risk youth.  In 2000, Danya started to work as Youth Development Specialist for the Department of Juveniles Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  In this position, Mr. Perry has worked on a number of issues surrounding closing the minority achievement gap, building conducive learning environments, the disproportionate suspension and expulsion of minority youth, gang prevention/intervention and youth suicide prevention. 

Danya Perry received his bachelor’s degree in political science from NC State University and is currently pursing his master’s degree in public administration. 

Without a doubt, the conference participants will enjoy Ms. Padrón and Mr. Perry's keynote presentations, as well as the more than 25 featured speakers during the conference concurrent sessions.

In addition to the conference, this year we will also be offering two Pre-Conference Workshops on Thursday, October 18th from 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM.

The first workshop, titled “Creating Success for English Language Learners in Grades K-12: Strategies That Really Work!,” will be presented by Martha H. Dobson, North Carolina Teacher Trainer. Research shows that in order for English Language Learners (ELLs) to be successful in content classrooms, teachers must help them to develop academic language. This interactive workshop will focus on strategies to develop academic language by increasing comprehension, interaction and thinking skills for ELLs. Teachers will leave with handouts and new strategies to help ELLs improve academic vocabulary, reading comprehension and speaking and writing skills. Ms. Dobson will share strategies that she knows work because she uses them in her own classroom.

The second Pre-Conference Workshop, titled "New Faces: Latinos in North Carolina," will be given by Working Films representative Suesan Sullivan. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the experiences of the state’s growing Latino population through lesson plans built around documentary film clips. As participants move through the curriculum non-Latino students learn about the contributions of the state’s diverse Latino population, and Latino students become more aware that their teachers and mentors value their cultures and backgrounds. During the workshop we will explore the New Faces materials and brainstorm about how the curriculum can be used in participants’ particular teaching situations. In this curriculum all students are encouraged to question stereotypes and must engage in activities that build their critical thinking skills and help them better understand one another.  Workshop attendees will receive a free copy of the curriculum and the DVD that accompanies it.

We look forward to seeing you at both the Hispanic Achievement Conference 2007 and the Pre-Conference Workshops on October 18th and 19th at the McKimmon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.

Sincerely,

Hispanic Achievement Conference 2007 Organizing Committee

Conference Highlights

Target Audience and Participants

  • Superintendents
  • Assistant Superintendents
  • Principals
  • Assistant Principals
  • Counselors
  • Teachers
  • Other Administrators
  • Community Leaders
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • College Faculty responsible for training in the field of Education
  • College Education Majors

Registration Guidelines

Registration to the conference (includes continental breakfast and lunch):
By September 15, 2007 is $70.00
After September 15, 2007 the registration fee is $90.00.
Undergraduate Students $50.00.

Registration for the Pre-conference workshops (includes lunch): $65.00
Please register before October 8th for the workshops if you plan to attend.

You can submit your registration form electronically (preferred) or by regular mail.

If you are paying by check or money order, please send registration payment with a copy of your registration to:

NC Society of Hispanic Professionals
8450 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 209
Cary, NC 27513

If you are paying online via paypal, submit your registration form as you normally would and the confirmation screen will have a Paypal option.

For more information about registration or questions, please call, send a fax or an e-mail to:
Phone: (919) 467-8424 Fax: (919) 469-1785
E-mail: mailbox@TheNCSHP.org

Accommodations

Rooms have been reserved at a special group rate of $79 for single occupancy and $85 for double per night plus tax at the Holiday Inn Brownstone Hotel and Conference Center. Call for reservations at (919) 828-0811 no later than September 26, 2007. When calling, request the Hispanic Achievement Conference block. We encourage you to reserve your room early!

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Conference Agenda

Thursday October 18, 8:30 - 3:30
Pre-Conference Workshops

Martha H. Dobson, NC Teacher Trainer.
“Creating Success for English Language Learners in Grades K-12: Strategies That Really Work!”

Research shows that in order for English Language Learners (ELLs) to be successful in content classrooms, teachers must help them to develop academic language. This interactive workshop will focus on strategies to develop academic language by increasing comprehension, interaction and thinking skills for ELLs. Teachers will leave with handouts and new strategies to help ELLs improve academic vocabulary, reading comprehension and speaking and writing skills. Ms. Dobson will share strategies that she knows work because she uses them in her own classroom.

Working Films
Suesan Sullivan, Director of Resource Development - Good Shepard Center, Wilmington
"New Faces: Latinos in North Carolina "

New Faces: Latinos in North Carolina explores the experiences of the state’s growing Latino population through lesson plans built around documentary film clips to help students understand the cultural and economic contributions of North Carolina’s growing Latino population. The curriculum is based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and is primarily aimed at eighth to twelfth grade students. The New Faces materials are adaptable for use with adults in popular education settings and are increasingly being used by Latino advocacy and service organizations throughout the state. During the workshop we will explore the New Faces materials and brainstorm about how the curriculum can be used in participants’ particular teaching situations. Workshop to be facilitated by Suesan Sullivan, Director of Resource Development at the Good Shepherd Center in Wilmington, NC.

Hispanic Achievement Conference - Friday October 19

7:45 - 8:30 AM
Registration

8:30 - 10:00 AM
Opening Ceremony
Keynote Presentation: Dr. Yolanda N. Padrón

10:00 - 10:20 AM
Exhibitors Visit

10:25 - 11:25 AM
Concurrent Sessions I

11:30 - 12:30 AM
Concurrent Sessions II

12:30 - 1:15 PM
Lunch

1:15 - 1:30 PM
Exhibitors Visit

1:30 - 2:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions III

2:30 - 3:45 PM
Keynote Presentation: Mr. Danya C. Perry

3:45 - 4:00 PM
Adjournment for the Day

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Keynote Speakers

Dr. Yolanda N. Padrón, Professor at Texas A&M University in the Department of Educational Psychology

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION • 8:30 AM-10:00 AM • Room 1c & 1d

Yolanda Padron

Dr. Padrón's research has focused on improving classroom instruction and reading instruction for Hispanic English Language Learners. It has also concentrated on bilingual students’ cognitive strategies in reading, teacher training programs and resiliency. Her publications have appeared in journals such as TESOL Quarterly, Journal of Social Psychology, Educational Horizons, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science, Journal of Educational Equity and Leadership and The Reading Teacher. In addition, she has been Associate Editor for The Bilingual Research Journal and is co-author of a book series: Research on Educational Diversity and Excellence.

The title of her keynote presentation is: "Effective Instructional Practices for Educating Hispanic Students."

Abstract: Effective instructional practices are crucial to addressing the educational crisis facing many Hispanic students in the United States. The number of Hispanic students attending public schools has increased dramatically in recent decades, yet Hispanic students as a group have the lowest levels of education and the highest dropout rate of any student group. Conditions of poverty and health, as well as other social problems have made it difficult for some Hispanics living in the U.S. to improve their educational status. Cultural and historical practices have also placed numbers of Hispanic children at risk for educational failure. Research-based instructional practices are thus vital to improving the academic success of Hispanic students. This presentation will be based on the work on resiliency that was conducted through the Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence (CREDE). More specifically, the presentation will address instructional practices that have been found significant in advancing the achievement of Hispanic students.

Danya C. Perry, Field Services Specialist at Communities in Schools of North Carolina

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION • 2:30 - 3:45 PM • Room 1c & 1d

Danya Perry

Mr. Perry has been with CISNC for the past 2 years.  Before joining CISNC, Mr. Perry worked as a research associate for the Center for the Prevention of School Violence.  In 1998 he became the Youth Out of the Education Mainstream (YOEM) Coordinator, which focused on alterative learning programs and building resiliency in at-risk youth.  In 2000, Danya started to work as Youth Development Specialist for the Department of Juveniles Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  In this position, Mr. Perry has worked on a number of issues surrounding closing the minority achievement gap, building conducive learning environments, the disproportionate suspension and expulsion of minority youth, gang prevention/intervention and youth suicide prevention.

The title of his keynote presentation is: "Reclaiming Our Youth: Successful Strategies for Addressing Gangs."

Abstract: Gangs are a problem that has gripped our nation since the early 1800’s. Since then, gangs have evolved and what was deemed as an urban-city problem, is now impacting rural communities. As reported by the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission, North Carolina have seen a steady increase in gang proliferation and activity from 1999-2005. This growing trend brings to light the importance of our collective efforts to address the problem before it become insurmountable. Currently there are many research-based programs that tout to have successes with this population. This keynote will focus on understanding the problem, but more importantly take home strategies to prevent young people from the seductiveness of the gangster lifestyle. We understand that there is a problem, now we need to focus on innovative strategies and the practical application of them to save our youth. Regardless of the enormity of the problem, it should not preclude our efforts to address it.

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Featured Speakers


Pre-Conference Workshops

Martha H. Dobson, NC Teacher Trainer.
“Creating Success for English Language Learners in Grades K-12: Strategies That Really Work!”

Research shows that in order for English Language Learners (ELLs) to be successful in content classrooms, teachers must help them to develop academic language. This interactive workshop will focus on strategies to develop academic language by increasing comprehension, interaction and thinking skills for ELLs. Teachers will leave with handouts and new strategies to help ELLs improve academic vocabulary, reading comprehension and speaking and writing skills. Ms. Dobson will share strategies that she knows work because she uses them in her own classroom.

Suesan Sullivan, Director of Resource Development - Good Shepard Center, Wilmington
"New Faces: Latinos in North Carolina "

New Faces: Latinos in North Carolina explores the experiences of the state’s growing Latino population through lesson plans built around documentary film clips to help students understand the cultural and economic contributions of North Carolina’s growing Latino population. The curriculum is based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and is primarily aimed at eighth to twelfth grade students. The New Faces materials are adaptable for use with adults in popular education settings and are increasingly being used by Latino advocacy and service organizations throughout the state. During the workshop we will explore the New Faces materials and brainstorm about how the curriculum can be used in participants’ particular teaching situations. Workshop to be facilitated by Suesan Sullivan, Director of Resource Development at the Good Shepherd Center in Wilmington, NC.

Hispanic Achievement Conference 2007

Click here to view PDF version of this schedule. **Presentations are for ALL grades and ALL audiences unless otherwise noted.**

  • Mr. Ken Babineaux. Education Consultant - NC Department of Public Instruction: Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Section. “Changing the Way We Do Business in the Village through Parent/Family Empowerment.”
    The research on parent involvement is clear: when parents are more actively and meaningfully involved in their children’s education, many successes are experienced by the child. The question is how can schools and parent groups encourage greater parent and caregiver involvement? This session points to some ways schools and parent/child advocacy organizations can promote greater parent involvement. Come preview the six components of this powerful document and learn how you can sponsor this workshop in your community!
  • Dr. Dina C. Castro. Scientist & Ms. Betsy Ayankoya. Technical Assistance Specialist - FPG Child Development Institute, UNC at Chapel Hill. “New Voices/Nuevas Voces: Preparing Teachers to Promote School Success Among Young Latino Children.”
    This session will present the New Voices/Nuevas Voces professional development program. It was designed to help teachers and other school administrators acquire knowledge, and develop skills and positive attitudes to support Latino children’s school success. The program content includes second language acquisition in young children, assessment of second language learners, Latino families’ child rearing practices, and multicultural education strategies among other topics. In addition to presenting the main features of this research-based professional development program, participants will discuss practical ideas to support Latino children and build partnerships with Latino parents. Elementary level
  • Edith Cowper. ESL Instructor/Recruiter/Retention Specialist - Wake Technical Community College. "Land of Osbasdo (A Cultural Simulation)."
    Never lived in another country? Here is your chance for foreign adventure in "The Land of Osbasdo." Participants will simulate and experience entering another culture. This activity will help instructors understand some of the challenges international students face as new residents of the US.
  • Martha H. Dobson. North Carolina Teacher Trainer. “Soaring to New Heights: Keys to Academic Success for ELLs.”
    Research shows that English Language Learners (ELLs) must develop academic language in order to be successful in content classrooms. Teachers will learn strategies which they can use immediately to increase comprehension, interaction and thinking skills to help ELLs acquire academic language.
  • Chris Droessler. School-to-Career Coordinator - Wake Co. Public Schools. “A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a World that We Know Little About.”
    Young people entering the workforce lack critical skills that are essential for success. What are these skills that our students' future employers say are required for success in the 21st Century? What are we doing to prepare our students for careers that do not yet exist, in worlds that may not even exist? This presentation will focus on trends in the job market, skills that employers are demanding, and globalization of the economy. It will also cover the future of virtual businesses where people are making money on the Internet without creating tangible products or services. High School level
  • Mrs. Karen Fitcher & Ms. Laura Cernik. ESL Teachers - Wake County Schools.
    “Extreme Classroom Makeover.”
    Studies show that English language learners and special education students make significant academic improvement when teachers use sheltered instruction strategies. In this presentation, we will demonstrate some of these strategies for you to take back for an extreme makeover to help all students succeed.
  • Rachel Galanter. Family Support Specialist - Durham Exchange Clubs’ Family Center. “Engaging Parents in Language Development.”
    This workshop will present a model to its audience. Language is the key for teaching Spanish speaking parents about how to support building their children's language skills through play. Children's IQ and success in school correlate strongly with their vocabularies. Teachers and counselors/social workers could use this model to teach parents the techniques to use with pre-K/K students (and younger siblings who will be coming to school in a year or two). Elementary level
  • Nhora Gomez-Saxon. Spanish for Native Speakers Consultant & Jennifer Lupold Pearsall. Second Language Specialist - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. “Writing from the Past to The Future.”
  • Ellen Graden. Associate Professor - Meredith College, Lisa Huffman. ESL Teacher, High School Students (Jaqueline Y. Escobar, Yeison Gomez, Diana Mendoza and Zoar Reyes Tovar) - Garner Magnet High School and Wake Tech student, Adriana Gomez.
    “Listening to the Voices of Hispanic Students.”
  • Glenda Harrell. ESL Consultant - NC Department of Public Instruction. "State ESL Update."
    The update will include information about No Child Left Behind mandates, AMAO's, Instructional Programs and High School Exit Standards as they related to LEP Students.
  • Sarah Hillenbrand. Marketing Department - Touring Theater of North Carolina.“Under the Sombrero/Bajo el Sombrero.”
    This is a lively bilingual production (Spanish and English) that is all about words! Children’s imaginations come alive as four actors play games, dance, sing and tell stories from Central, Latin, North and South America. Developed with the express purpose of celebrating multiculturalism and diversity, this piece honors the beauty of both languages. The use of minimal sets and propos enhances children’s vivid imaginations and allows for infinite creative interpretations. The production time is 45 minutes and a curriculum-related study guide is provided to schools in advance. Elementary level
  • Jack Holtzman. Staff Attorney - NC Justice Center. "Education Rights of Hispanic Students and Parents."
    This workshop will discuss enrollment, suspensions and Title VI/LEP issues specific to Hispanic students and parents in North Carolina schools.
  • Megan Kirkpatrick. Business Alliance Coordinator - Wake Co. Public Schools. “The Reality of Employability: Teaching the Direct Relationship Between Inappropriate Choices and Future Opportunities.”
    Education alone will not secure a promising employment future for Hispanic and Latino students. Understanding that a person's character, reflected in criminal background checks, credit checks and personal information posted on the web are all key components of today's employment practices. Not directly teaching this knowledge leaves students ill-equipped to make informed decisions that can have lifelong legal, financial and employment consequences. In this session, attendees will learn how even a 1-hr. teaching commitment can provide the essential knowledge about NC law and other hiring practices students need to safeguard their employment futures. Middle/HS level
  • Joy McLaughlin. Director of LEP Programs - Asheboro City Schools. ”What are the Essential Elements for Providing Services to LEP Students?”
    Often districts do not understand why their programs for English Language Learners are not successful. This presentation highlights those elements that are essental for a successful program designed with high academic achievement of English Language LEarners in mind.
  • Roberto Ortiz. Vistamar Consulting Firm & Assoc., Wilson.
    “Detecting and Promoting Leadership Through Mentoring.”
    The main objective of this presentation is to provide educators and administrators in our school systems with ideas and technical assistance with the recruitment and retention of mentors in our communities. Mentoring is a vital piece of a huge puzzle we call Education System. We all have it and it’s available, but we don’t maximize the many advantages that mentoring brings to the table. Through this presentation the audience will be able to acquire skills and knowledge in order to detect and promote mentoring in a very efficient way, at the same time identifying leaders that will assist you in the recruitment of other mentors. We are living in very demanding and difficult times for our school system, we see ourselves doing much more with much less, this is the moment in time to utilize our local resources, creativity and involve the entire available community in the education of our children. “Whatever time, effort and talent we invest in our children today will benefit in so many incredible ways our community tomorrow”. This presentation will be one that will help you see mentoring in a totally different dimension.
  • Yolanda N. Padrón. Texas A&M University.
    "Effective Teaching Practices for Hispanic Students"
    Research shows that education needs to be meaningful and responsive to students' needs, as well as linguistically and culturally appropriate. Instruction must specifically address the concerns of Hispanic students who come from different cultures and who are often trying to learn a new language. The home and community environment must be tapped into and connected to students' learning in addition to focusing on knowledge learned in the classroom. This presentation will provide suggestions for implementing instruction in reading classes that is meaningful and responsive to Hispanic students' educational needs. These research-based practices, while valuable for most English language learners, have been particularly successful for teaching Hispanic students.
  • Dr. Maria Teresa Palmer. Director of the Multicultural Student Center - NC A&T State University.
    “Creating ‘Confianza’ to Foster Success among Hispanic Students.”
    This session will create an understanding of the need for proactive outreach to Hispanic students and communities to overcome barriers that lead to academic success. This presentation is based on research and many hours of conversations with high school students and will present case studies to facilitate understanding and empathy. It has been used for continuing education with teachers who have reported significant grown in their understanding and sense of efficacy.
  • Danya Perry. Field Services Specialist - Communities in Schools of NC. “Got Gangs? Understanding the Current Street Gang Culture.”
    This session will focus on the importance of understanding the signs and symbols of youth who may potentially be involved in gang activity. This session will also highlight the seductiveness of gangs and gang-related activities to our youth. Historically gangs have provided youth with a solid family structure that is oftentimes lacking in dysfunctional families today. Early warning signs and risk factors for gang involvement will also be discussed. A specific emphasis will be placed on opportunities to mobilize the community, which includes the collaboration of schools, faith, law enforcement, and other youth-serving professionals.
  • Mrs. Donna Rewalt and Mrs. Ana Velasquez. Program Coordinators - Strengthening Families Coalition Durham Cooperative Extension. “Reaching Parents through LPFAST - Latino Parent & Family Advocacy and Support Training.”
    In order to help their children succeed, parents need information and support. LPFAST - Latino Parent & Family Advocacy and Support Training provides an opportunity for parents to learn how to navigate the public school system and help their child in a confidential supportive atmosphere. The presenters will provide an overview of the LPFAST six-session curriculum and offer lessons learned. The training covers parent involvement, EOG’s, school communication, exceptional children, and much more.
  • Joan Rolston. ESL Program Counselor for High Schools - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools International Center. “The New NC High School Exit Standards - An Understanding for LEP Students.”
    An overview of the new exit standards for high school graduation and the special considerations necessary for our state's LEP population - based on NC Department of Public Instruction Guidelines. High School level
  • Estefania San Juan. Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator, El Pueblo, Inc. "Expanding Latino Students' Opportunities After High School: Access to Higher Education."
    The presentation will address a description of the opportunities available to Latino students after high school, the prospects of higher education with an update on the possibilities of the passage of the DREAM Act and the situation in the community college system, as well as ways in which students can be supported and guided in preparation during high school in order to continue their education and not lose hopes regarding the possibility of attending an institution of higher education. High School level
  • Mr. Alexander Scott. ESL Teacher - Public Schools of Robeson County.
    “Helping ESL/ELL’s Struggling in Content Area.”
    This session will make teachers and administrators aware of the struggles that ESL/ELL students go through when enrolled in schools and provide strategies to make those students succeed in class. In this interactive-presentation teachers will gain an awareness of data and strategies to consider in order to promote more effectively students’ competence while lowering their affective filter to build confidence and provide a positive atmosphere to get them involved into the new language, subjects, school system and environment. Middle and HS level
  • Mary-Ryan Smith. ESL Teacher - Heritage Elementary School, WCPSS. “Reinforcing and Assessing Foundational Literacy Skills with “Out-the-Door” Activities.”
    As a K-5 ESL Teacher with only 30-35 minutes per day to spend with each group of students, it is common to struggle with how to get to everything in such a short amount of time. During this session, she will share quick and easy activities that both ESL and regular classroom teachers can use to teach and assess phonemic/phonological awareness as students line up to leave class each day. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to interact and share their own ideas for "out-the-door" activities. Each participant will receive a set of card stock activities that may be used in the classroom immediately, a list of ELD NCSCoS objectives addressed through the activities and sample checklists that may be used for assessment purposes. Elementary level
  • Ms. Debora Sydnor. Section Chief - NC Department of Public Instruction.
    “Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps: A Statewide Initiative.”
    Academic achievement for all students is an attainable goal that requires focused attention and support of all stakeholders. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is dedicated to providing quality educational opportunities that will prepare students for life and work in the 21st century. This session will review statewide performance data of the state’s ethnic groups with a focus on the Latino/Hispanic population and strategies for involving all community stakeholders in the process of improving educational outcomes for Hispanic students.
  • Dr. Lynn F. Warren. Director - Division of Student Support Services at the NC Department of Public Instruction.
    This presentation will focus on different stakeholders concerns with needed changes in the legislation and explain the proposal for reauthorization outlined by the US Department of Education.
  • Dr. Hersh C. Waxman. Professor - Texas A&M University
    “Promoting Educational Resilience for Hispanic Students At-Risk of Academic Failure.”
    This presentation highlights the importance of teachers promoting resilience in their classrooms and it provides a summary of instructional strategies that have been found to significantly improve the resilience and academic achievement of Hispanic students. The presentation further describes how the educational failure of Hispanic students may be indicative of the failure of the school to teach and connect to students’ lives in meaningful ways. It provides research that suggests that Hispanic students’ academic performance will continue to decline without an improvement in the classroom and instructional learning environment. The presentation also will report on successful, research-based strategies that foster optimal learning conditions for Hispanic students. Finally, the session will conclude with arguing that schools need to provide continuous, quality professional learning experiences for all teachers that help teachers become optimistic, hopeful, and empowered so that they believe that they can help promote students' resilience and improve the education of Hispanic children.
  • Donna Weaver. Spanish Services Coordinator - College Foundation of North Carolina. “College Foundation of North Carolina: Connecting Kids to their Future.”
    This "best practice" session will focus on the essential, FREE tools that CFNC provides so that through their one-stop shop (CNFC.org), students may plan, apply and pay for college. In addition to addressing the educational barriers which face Latino students, she will introduce their new, bilingual, career planning tools and give updates on Spanish-language training opportunities for Hispanic audiences in your school districts. Middle/HS level
  • Mr. Stan Winborne. ESL Coordinator - Granville County Schools.
    “ESL Summer Camp: How to Design & Implement an Effective Summer Session.”
    This session will describe how Granville County Schools has effectively implemented a successful ESL Summer Program for the past 5 years. Topics ranging from funding, staffing, curriculum design, activities and managing general logistics will be discussed. Elementary and Middle level
  • Mr. Jorge Zeballos. Latino Community Coordinator - Guilford College.
    “Cosmic Race, Rainbow People and Other Myths: The Racial Identity of Latinas and Latinos.”
    This workshop will give participants a clear sense of how Latinas and Latinos see themselves racially. Using historical documents, contemporary images and statements by important personalities in Latin America, Mr. Zeballos will explore the social forces that have shaped the racial identity of Latinas and Latinos. Participants will also discuss how to apply this new knowledge to serve the needs of Latino and Latina students.
  • Please note: Both of our keynote speakers will also be presenting during one of our concurrent sessions.
  • All sessions are for all audiences unless otherwise noted.

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