October 11, 2023 E-Learning Course: Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions A new course, Exploring the WIDA Prek-3 Essential Actions, is now available in the PD Registry for free. Learn More This self-paced e-learning course will introduce educators to the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions. Educators will have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and key concepts embedded in the Essential Actions for supporting dual language learners. They will also reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. This course will invite participants to apply their learning and take action to enhance their current practices by utilizing the tools and resources provided. Register To register for the course, visit the PD Registry and search the training calendar for Exploring the WIDA Prek-3 Essential Actions. Any questions can be directed to Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov.
June 12, 2023 WIDA Early Years Program to Sunset in June WIDA and the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will sunset the WIDA Early Years Membership Program for Pennsylvania on June 30. Consequently, the four current, free, one-hour, self-paced, WIDA Early Years trainings in the PD Registry will no longer be available beginning July 1, and anyone completing WIDA Early Years training coursework must do so by July 1 to receive credit for the training. Still, trainers who completed the WIDA cohort may still offer in-person WIDA courses in the PD Registry for a fee. About the WIDA Early Years Membership Program WIDA Early Years Membership Program promotes equitable early care and education (ECE) opportunities for young, multilingual children through partnerships with state agencies. Though the program will end on June 30, WIDA will continue to make PreK–3 resources available on the WIDA website under “Early Language Development” or “Teaching in PreK–3.” Additionally, OCDEL will make dual language resources available on the Pennsylvania Key website. Future WIDA Offerings Beginning September 1, WIDA will offer two new PreK-3 resources: A new self-paced workshop, “Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions,” will introduce educators to the new WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions. Educators will have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and to reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. Access to the course will require a WIDA Secure Portal account. Search the training calendar in the PD Registry for “Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions” or contact Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov for information about how to set up a WIDA Secure Portal account and access this and other WIDA self-paced offerings. A new, “Are We Ready?” resource will support PreK–3 educators to promote and provide equitable transitions for multilingual children and their families. This resource will be available on the WIDA website. Learn More Please contact Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov with questions. To learn more, visit the WIDA website.
June 22, 2020 WIDA Communication Strategies to Support Multilingual Children Are you interested in learning developmentally appropriate strategies to support multilingual children in your early learning program? Join Trying Together Innovative Learning Strategist Mimi Loughead from July 13 through August 3 for a three-week online course, “WIDA Communication Strategies to Support Multilingual Children.” About During this three-week online course, participants will identify and apply developmentally appropriate academic language demands of routines, social interactions, and learning experiences for multilingual learners. Also, participants will learn about language supports to use in their environments to provide multiple meaningful opportunities for multilingual learners to use their own languages through the use of WIDA Early Years resources. Course Details Timeline: July 13 – August 3, 2020 (Three Weeks, Self-Guided) Instructor: Mimi Loughead CKC: K5.3 C2 and K5.7 C2 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.3 CDA Subject Area: Understanding principles of child development. Three PQAS and ACT 48 hours available. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. All registrations must be submitted by Friday, July 10. Space is limited. More Information For more information, contact Community Engagement Assistant Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
August 8, 2019 PQAS Instructors Invited to Apply for New Cohort To help professionals build knowledge, skills, and confidence in facilitating professional learning, WIDA recently established their Early Years Professional Learning Cohort. About The Early Years Professional Learning Cohort is a long-term professional learning program that helps participants build the knowledge and skills required to facilitate local professional learning. This program is intended for professionals who: are PQAS-certified; currently work in the early care and education field; can design, develop, and facilitate professional learning; have the ability to offer professional development through the PA PD Registry; and have access to early learning programs where they can facilitate professional learning for ECE educators. Selected participants will be asked to sign an acknowledgment and agreement document. Face-to-Face Sessions Selected participants will be required to attend four face-to-face sessions in State College, Pennsylvania on the following dates: September 10–12, 2019 October 8–9, 2019 November 13–14, 2019 March 11, 2020 Applications With 20 available spaces, applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Application quality and geographic location will be considered. Applications must be submitted by August 16, 2019. To apply, visit the online application form. More Information To learn more about the cohort, read the program overview document. For more detailed information, read the program participant guide. For questions, contact Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov. PQAS Certification Workgroup This fall, Trying Together will launch a workgroup to help early care and education, and other interested professionals achieve their PQAS Instructor Certification. Once certified, these individuals will be able to deliver professional development training through the PA PD Registry. To receive more information about the Workgroup, complete the form below. For questions, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933. [ninja_form id=16]
