TREND Spring 2017 | Page 28

Literacy Strategies for English Language Learners Did you know that English Language Learners make up 5% of Tennessee’s student population? Do you have English Language Learners (ELLs) in your classroom? Do you often wonder how you can make your ELL students successful readers? ELLs have diverse abilities and instructional needs, so teachers must use multiple strategies to ensure academic success. With the shift in state standards, it is imperative that we get all students college and career ready. How do we make these standards accessible to English Language Learners? Join me on June 30th at the Leader U 2017 conference for an informative session titled “Literacy Strategies for English Language Learners” to uncover misconceptions about English Language Learning and discover strategies to support and increase the literacy development of your ELL students! Tanya Hill Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Current prevalence rates estimate that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As educators, it is essential that we know how to best tailor learning environments for students with ASD in order to allow them to reach their full potential and capitalize on the strengths they bring to their educational experience. Participants at Leader U will be able to understand how characteristics of ASD may impact learning and behavior, particularly in educational settings. With this information as a guide, participants will be introduced to evidence-based practices that can be utilized in a variety of educational settings across the lifespan that focus specifically on supporting these characteristics. Examples include how to modify the learning environment through strategies such as environmental arrangement, prompting, visual supports, and reinforcement systems. Whitney Loring