Resources for Supporting TN Students with Disabilities During COVID-19
The rapidly evolving challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including statewide school closures, have caused countless disruptions for educators across Tennessee as they strive to support their students with disabilities while working remotely.
UT CLEE was honored to collaborate with other TDOE Special Populations grantees providing services to special populations within public schools to identify, develop, and share resources that educators can use to serve their students and families well. UT CLEE ‘s contribution to this collection is our Self-Advocacy and Career Planning and our Transition IEP development resources.
The full online resource collection provides both full text online, as well as in printable format (linked below).
- Information sheet for educators
- Information sheet for families
- One-page reference guide for families
Please join CLEE in giving thanks to all the organizations involved in this project:
Online Learning & Event Services
Let UT CLEE’s team of event & training professionals
help your organization thrive!
Upcoming virtual concerts!
Holding meaningful events & training during periods of social distancing due to COVID-19 is not an insurmountable feat.
On March 19, 2020, during a heightened period of concern due to the potential spread of the corona virus (COVID-19), multiple musicians held a concert for a worldwide audience. This concert was made possible by innovative use of virtual platforms to livestream each musician.
With over 20 years of online training and event experience, UT CLEE is eager to assist you in developing, executing, and evaluating events, meetings, and transformative learning through a variety of virtual platforms and online tools
Contact us to develop a customized support plan
for your audiences, today!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month October 2016 – #InclusionWorks
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) was originally called “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” when Congress, in 1945, declared the first week of October an opportunity for employers to look beyond a person’s physical limitations. In the 71 years since, perceptions have changed, verbiage has been updated to better reflect the limitation rather than the person with the limitation, and the growing movement of #InclusionWorks is celebrated with various events, small and large, around the state of Tennessee throughout the month of October.
The United Stated Department of Labor chose as this year’s theme #InclusionWorks and it “…seeks to inspire social media awareness of workers with disabilities.”
“By fostering a culture that embraces individual differences, including disabilities, businesses profit by having a wider variety of tools to confront challenges. Our nation’s most successful companies proudly make inclusion a core value. They know that inclusion works. It works for workers, it works for employers, it works for opportunity, and it works for innovation.”
-Jennifer Sheehy, deputy assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy
Organizations are encouraged to hold their own NDEAM events or join events in their area to show their support for the diversity brought to the community, gain valuable knowledge to bring back to their employees, and celebrate the countless and diverse contributions of the American worker with disabilities. The events held throughout the U.S. embody the ‘can-do’ spirit of people who deal with varied limitations on a daily basis.
A honored and proud supporter of NDEAM, The Center for Literacy, Education and Employment’s Corporate Connections Account Representatives in collaboration with the Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services are coordinating and supporting events throughout the state. These events include:
-Disability Mentoring
-Awards and Recognition for employers and employees
-Community Awareness events
-Employer Outreach and Educational presentations
LINCS & CLEE at COABE in Dallas
CLEE Staff from the southeastern LINCS Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC II) will be presenting at the annual COABE conference in Dallas, TX. Held April 10 – 16th, this conference is one of many activities by the national Commission on Adult Basic Education designed to advance national and international adult education and literacy opportunities for all persons.
RPDC II presentations at COABE:
- Monday, April 11, 3:45–5:00
Creating Effective Learning Environments
by Gail Cope - Tuesday, April 12, 9:30-10:45
Critical Thinking and Numeracy in Social Media
by Aaron Kohring and Duren Thompson
More COABE session information:
- The full list of LINCs presentations
- ALL COABE presentations
- Download the COABE app for up to the minute session info!
CLEE & CEHHS Chalk Walk, Fri April 8th, 2016
Visit us at the CEHHS Chalk Walk on Friday, April 8th – held on the UTK Pedestrian Walkway. Staff will be creating this image in chalk about 3 foot square from 8-noon! (Rain location – the UTK University Center).
Knoxville “Community Conversation” on Employment for People with Disabilities
When: 6-8:15 pm, August 11, 2015
Where: Embassy Suites, 9621 Parkside Dr., Knoxville, TN 37922
Who’s Invited: All members of the Knoxville community
Why Attend: To share and discuss ways to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Knoxville.
How do I register: http://knoxvillecommunityconversation.splashthat.com/
The Knoxville Area Employment Consortium (KAEC), Tennesseeworks, and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center are hosting a Knoxville “Community Conversation” to discuss employment for people with disabilities. These Community Conversations have been conducted throughout the state – resulting in great feedback from community members and the development of successful strategies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the local communities.
Community Conversation Knoxville Flyer – Please pass the word!
All members of the community are welcome to participate – Knoxville Mayor, Madeline Rogero plans to join in! As KAEC members, CLEE Center staff Mike Sass, Tina Jones and Stephanie Cowherd are helping to plan and facilitate this event. Look for them there!
Madeline Rogero
Stephanie Cowherd
Mike Sass
Tina Jones
CLEE’s Flipped Learning Presentations at FlipCon 2015
Center staff member Duren Thompson was selected to attend FlipCon 2015 on July 13-15th, as a presenter for two topics. Her presentations highlighted the Center’s efforts to improve the quality of professional development for adult literacy practitioners, as well as strengthen adult learners’ skills for college and career transition.
FlipCon, held at Michigan State University and sponsored by the Flipped Learning Network, is focused on a growing trend in K-12 and Universities to ‘flip’ the traditional learning experience – moving direct instruction (lecture) into individual learning time (typically online, through focused visual presentations). This then provides more time in group settings for applications of learning, higher level discussion, and problem solving real-world tasks with the immediate support of instructors and peers. Take a look at ALL this year’s scheduled sessions online here.
Duren’s Sessions at FlipCon2015:
All sessions at FlipCon2015 model the flipped approach, requiring ‘pre-work’ for conference attendees.
- Learning Through Doing: Models for Flipped PD
- Avoid the Talking Head! Tips for creating engaging online instructional video
Find out more about FlipCon2015 and Flipped Learning in this article from EdTech k-12 Magazine:
FlipCon 2015, the Flipped Learning Conference, Expands in 8th Year.
FlipCon2015 on Titter: #Flipcon15
Sponsors: As a graduate student in the Instructional Technology Master’s degree program at the University of Tennessee, Duren’s conference attendance has received support from:
- The UT Graduate Student Senate
- UT College of Health and Human Services, Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
- UT Center for Literacy, Education and Employment
EFF Preparing for Work Training – Registration Closes Soon!
Are you a service provider or instructor who helps prepare adults to get jobs?
Do you need a curriculum that addresses both employability skills (or soft skills) and academic skills?
The Equipped for the Future Preparing for Work curriculum can help. Training available in Knoxville, TN: June 9-10, 2015.
Registration closes soon – REGISTER ONLINE by May 25, 2015
For more information visit the registration page or our previous post on April 28, 2015.
Register for EFF Preparing for Work Training, Knoxville, TN: June 9-10, 2015
Prepare your clients for success in entry-level employment!
Register online NOW! Registration deadline is May 25th, 2015.
Preparing for Work, developed by Equipped for the Future at the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment, University of Tennessee, is a skills-based course designed for implementation in organizations and agencies involved in preparing their clients and students for entry level work. Each of the instructional modules that comprise the Preparing for Work course has integrated the specific SCANS tasks (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Basic Skills) and the EFF Content Standards, identified on the National Work Readiness Credential (NWRC) profile.
Video: Hear what employers, teachers and learners have to say about this program!
During this hands-on one-and-a-half day training, participants will engage in activities designed to support their:
- Understanding of the purpose and organization of the curriculum, and its critical features;
- Facilitation of activities from each curriculum module;
- Evaluation of ways the curriculum can be integrated into their current practice; and
- Development of a preliminary plan for implementation
Each participant will receive the following materials:
- a copy of the Preparing for Work Curriculum instructor’s guide,
- a copy of the Preparing for Work Curriculum student manual, and
- a master copy of student materials on CD.
Cost for the one-and-a-half day training is $750 per person.
All meals and travel costs are the responsibility of the participant.
For agenda, travel details and more information; or to register online, visit:
http://www.cvent.com/d/brq1bd
GIVE to VOLstarter for TN Numeracy
CLEE is happy to announce our new VOLstarter campaign, designed to crowdsource support for adult literacy initiatives in Tennessee. VOLstarter makes it easy to contribute online to a project – any amount, large or small!
In partnership with the Tennessee Literacy Coalition, we are currently seeking your support to enhance math literacy for Tennessee adults – through the expert online training of instructors and volunteers.
Be the first to donate – help Tennessee!
What is Math Literacy?
Math Literacy (or numeracy) is defined as “The ability to problem-solve, reason and analyze information.” Last fall, a highly recognized international survey of adult skills, commonly called the PIAAC report, found that, “…American adults lag behind their counterparts in other developed countries in mathematical and technical skills needed for a modern workplace.”
To address this problem, the Math Literacy project would provide online training in numeracy instruction to instructors and volunteers in community funded programs throughout TN. With enough donations, we also hope involving at least 5 UT students in a pilot a program of “online tutoring” for lower-skilled adults.
100% of the money you donate through our page on VOLstarter will go straight to support Tennessee literacy and CLEE’s mission to address the lifelong learning needs of all Tennesseans!
How else can I help?
Please share information about this project your community and social network – the more donations, the closer our project is to reaching its funding goal. Help spread the word!
Contact us if you have any questions,
or if you are interesting in volunteering to support literacy in Tennessee.
Expect – Employ – Empower – Celebrate TN Employees with Disabilities in October!
Held each October since 1945, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Designed to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many contributions of America’s workers with disabilities, the theme for October 2014 is “Expect. Employ. Empower.”
“We all have a role to play in — and benefit to gain from — increasing opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities. This year’s theme encapsulates this in three powerful words. It conveys that advancing disability employment is about much more than just hiring. It’s about creating a continuum of inclusion. And the first step on this continuum is expectation,”
Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy
Organizations across the country join in this month’s national campaign to raise awareness about disability employment issues and to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. ODEP provides a wealth of resources and ideas for those wishing to support this campaign – this month and throughout the year.
The Center for Literacy, Education and Employment is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Our Corporate Connections representatives, in conjunction with the Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services, are organizing and supporting activities across the state, including:
- Disability Mentoring
- Awards and Recognition for employers and employees
- Community Awareness events
- Employer Outreach & Education presentations
For more information about NDEAM events and opportunities in Tennessee, visit Tennessee Works or contact: Stephanie Cowherd scowherd@utk.edu
CLEE Self-Advocacy Curriculum Helps Nashville Students
Making a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary education, employment, vocational training, or independent living can be difficult for students with disabilities.
CLEE’s Self-Advocacy Curriculum and support services can assist students in making a successful transition from high school to career or college.
Ms. Jones-Sanders, teacher, Hunter Lane High School, Nashville; Melvin Jackson, CLEE
Recently, Ms. Jones-Sanders and her students at Hunter’s Lane High School in Nashville have been working with CLEE staff Melvin Jackson using CLEE’s Self-Advocacy Curriculum.
Ms. Jones-Sanders took advantage of CLEE’s intensive coaching to prepare all her students for a successful transition. Mock interviews, resume writing, and job application activities, in particular, really helped two of her students prepare for jobs they have arranged at exit this May.
For more about the Curriculum check out the CLEE Self-Advocacy Flyer
or contact the Center’s School and Family Team.
Time for the U.S. to Reskill? CLEE Hosts PIAAC Engagement Session
“…the basic skills of adults in the United States are relatively weak. Unlike many other countries, there has been little sign of improvement in recent decades.”
In November 20, 2013 the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) launched a national engagement effort to explore ways to increase our capacity to improve the foundation skills of adults in the United States – based on the OECD’s PIAAC findings (see Background below.) OVAE is soliciting input from across the country to contribute to a national plan of action to address the skills deficit of U.S. adults.
As part of this effort, the Center for Literacy, Education and Employment is hosting a local engagement session on March 6th, from 8-9:30am at the University of Tennessee. This session provides local stakeholders the opportunity to learn about the issues, share ideas and be part of the national solution.
If you are interested in attending contributing to this effort, please contact cleeinfo@utk.edu for registration information.
Background
On October 8, 2013, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the results of the Survey of Adult Skills, an international survey that is part of the Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). This direct assessment was conducted in 23 countries with nationally representative samples of adults ages 16 through 65.
In an effort to examine the economic and social case for reskilling adults in the United States, the OECD, at the request of the U.S. Department of Education, analyzed the findings using U.S. data from the Survey and prepared a report entitled, Time for the U.S. to Reskill? What the Survey of Adult Skills Says.
The report found that while other countries have been showing improvements in equipping its adult populations with the skills needed to be productive in their society, the United States has remained relatively unchanged in the decade since the last report, thus falling further behind their international counterparts. The findings, in particular, shine a spotlight on a part of our population that has historically been overlooked and under served: the large number of adults with low basic skills.
For more information on this initiative visit: http://www.timetoreskill.org/
Equal to the Task – Celebrate TN Employees with Disabilities in October!
October 2013 is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Supported by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), organizations across the country join in this month’s national campaign to raise awareness about disability employment issues and to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. ODEP provides a wealth of resources and ideas for those wishing to support this campaign – this month and throughout the year.
The Center for Literacy, Education and Employment is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Our Corporate Connections representatives, in conjunction with the Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services, are organizing and supporting activities across the state, including:
- Disability Mentoring
- Awards and Recognition for employers and employees
- Community Awareness events
- Employer Outreach & Education presentations
““When I was growing up, many people doubted what I could do just because I was blind. But because I had people in my life who instilled in me an expectation of work and showed me opportunities to be successful, I completed college and became known for what I can do.”
Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for US disability employment policy
For more information about NDEAM events and opportunities in Tennessee, visit Tennessee Works or contact: Stephanie Cowherd scowherd@utk.edu
2nd CLEE STEM Camp in Alcoa – Sept. 2013!
The Center for Literacy, Education and Employment has again received funding from Alcoa Foundation to implement our innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) project with Alcoa Elementary School.
This funding will support approximately 20 students from Alcoa Elementary School, in Tennessee, to spend one week at a camp featuring engaging STEM learning activities. Families of the campers will also be involved through family literacy activities that strengthen parents’ ability to support their children’s STEM development. In addition, Alcoa retirees will be invited participate and share their expertise, continuing to make the Alcoa STEM Camp a true community endeavor.
We invite you to support STEM Camp at Alcoa Elementary School during September 2013! If you would like to join forces with CLEE for this one-of-a-kind experience, please consider making a donation for that purpose. No amount is too small or too large. We have a golden opportunity to create a groundbreaking effort toward STEM training in Tennessee, and you can help.
We can bring STEM Camp to YOUR school or program – just ask!
For details see our brochure: CLEE STEM Elementary Education Initiatives
MORE Information: Check out these news items from CLEE’s first Alcoa STEM Camp:
In the News! 2013 STEM Camp at Alcoa Elementary SchoolON the News: CLEE sponsors Alcoa STEM CampCLEE in the News: More on the Alcoa STEM Camp!
For questions or participation in this project, please contact Dr. Olga Ebert oleber@utk.edu.
CLEE Staff Honored by UT College of Education, Health and Human Services
The Center for Literacy, Education and Employment and its exemplary staff featured prominently in the recent 2013 CEHHS Annual Recognition Ceremony at the University of Tennessee, on Tuesday, April 23rd.
Prominent among Center staff recognized was Connie White, Associate Director, who was honored by Dean Bob Rider with a prestigious Dean’s Service Award for her long-time service to the college and history of attracting over $18 million in awards and contracts to the college and CLEE during her tenure to date. This is the first time such an honor has been awarded to staff of any center at CEHHS.
Earlier in the ceremony, Connie was recognized as the CEHHS principle investigator with the highest total awarded in grants and contracts in the 2012 fiscal year – over $5.7 million. Also recognized for their work as principle investigators attracting significant investments to CEHHS were Associate Directors Beth Ponder and Stephanie Cowherd, and Center Director Geri Mulligan. The Dean also praised the Center for Literacy, Education and Employment as having attracted over half the total awards & contracts monies received by the college as a whole in 2012.
During the ceremony retiring CLEE staff Cathy Houser and Carol Martin were thanked and applauded for their years of service to the college. Also recognized with years-in-service awards were Center staff: Gail Cope, Peggy Roberts, Duren Thompson, Lisa Kinkade, Jonathan Kelly and Kristie Wright.
Congratulations to all those honored – you, and ALL our talented staff members, are the Center’s most valuable assets!
CLEE Awarded IMLS Grant for LAMBDA
Beth Ponder
Associate Director
Center for Literacy, Education and Employment
The Center is pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Tennessee’s School of Information Sciences in support of LGBTQ homeless youth. Beth Ponder, Associate Director at CLEE has been named co-PI along with Dr. Cortez, Director of the School of Information Sciences at UT of this three year grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Please see the Announcement excerpted from the UTK School of Information Sciences blog below for details:
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 8:33 AM
Subject: [UTKSIS-L] UT SIS Awarded IMLS Grant for LAMBDA
KNOXVILLE – Library Anchor Models for Bridging Diversity Achievements (LAMBDA) brings together the University of Tennessee’s School of Information Sciences and the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment with the San Diego County Libraries and other public libraries in California and Tennessee to provide education, training, workshops, and support materials to support library staff members who serve LGBTQ homeless youth.
Activities and materials will focus on educating library personnel about the needs of LGBTQ homeless youth who come to the public library to access the Internet, read, find employment, contact family, or socialize with others. Activities will help libraries build partnerships with community organizations that work with homeless populations.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded the grant of $189,416. Dr. Cortez, Director of the School of Information Sciences at UT will lead the research team along with co-PI Beth Ponder.
“We continue to give our students extraordinary learning experiences which also serve the greater good of the communities we serve,” said Cortez. “This research speaks directly to the core of UT’s Vision for ideas that advance society through discovery, inquiry, innovation, research and scholarship.”
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, IMLS helps communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning.
[Post author: Donna Silvey, Communication Specialist The University of Tennessee College of Communication & Information, School of Information Sciences]
CLEE supports TNCore Common Core Coaches and Statewide Initiative
In April 2012, the School & Family team at the Center for Literacy, Education & Employment began supporting a new statewide Common Core State Standards initiative of the Tennessee Department of Education.
To begin this initiative, 205 Math Common Core Coaches were hired and trained in April and May 2012 (see coaches pictured at right). These Coaches then trained over 11,000 teachers across the state of Tennessee in the Summer of 2012. Quite successful, this initiative continues with Regional Leadership trainings for all TN administrators held in all subject areas January – May of 2013, and more educator trainings this summer.
In fact, on March 8, the School & Family team had the privilege of attending a banquet welcoming the 2013 Common Core Coaches: over 700 educators hired to train and be trained in the areas of K-12 Math, K-12 English/Language Arts, 6-12 Science, 6-12 Social Studies and 9-12 CTE, as well as about 100 administrators hired to train other administrators in the state. Currently, there are over 20,000 educators registered to attend training sites this summer!
The School & Family team has provided ongoing, high quality Event Planning and Program Logistics support for this initiative such as:
- processing coaches’ monthly stipends & reimbursements for travel expenses (300 persons per month!)
- arranging event venues and negotiating logistics f or each location
- printing and shipping materials (tens of thousands of copies) as well as ordering and shipping similar numbers of supplies to dozens of locations and multiple simultaneous sessions
- providing onsite support (registration, technology, materials, etc.) at 42 training sites over a 3 week period (Summer 2012), and 75 training sites over a 5 month period (Jan – May 2013).
- assisting with other logistical tasks, such as processing registration data, web site support (www.TNCore.org and tncoresupport.org/ ), conversion and distribution of video files, etc.
For more information and to register for the summer trainings visit: http://tncore.org/register_for_a_tncore_training/common_core_summer_training.aspx
We are excited about this summer’s trainings and hope to see you there!
For more information about how CLEE can support your K-12 professional development plans, contact the Center’s School and Family Team or contact cleeinfo@utk.edu.
On the News: CLEE sponsors Alcoa STEM Camp
Check out this WATE video – showing our Alcoa kids excited about STEM learning – during Spring Break!
Alcoa Kids, CLEE staff & UT Grad students explore science and engineering while creating solar cars
Alcoa kids and teachers spend Spring Break learning!
Discussing Mathematics Concepts
Counting teeth – making scientific observations, collecting data…
CLEE Professional Development Support Services at 2012 TETC
We can help YOU provide an Effective and Successful Conference Experience!
In November 2012, the School and Family Team supported the Tennessee Department of Education’s 30th Annual Tennessee Education Technology Conference (TETC). The conference took place November 28-30 at the Nashville Convention Center.
About the Conference: Designed specifically for school and district educational technology leaders and instructors, TETC offers opportunities for growth and development through training sessions, labs, workshops, interest sessions, and peer networking. TETC is the premiere venue by which educators are able to better the knowledge, quality and access to educational technology and integration in the school systems of Tennessee, benefitting children and communities statewide.
Our Professional Development Support Services: The School and Family Team assisted with the preparation and printing of registration materials, including the conference program that was given to all attendees. Team members arrived the day before the start of the conference to prepare 2000 bags of materials that were given to all attendees. The Team provided onsite support, assisting in registration of the 2000 attendees and vendors, printing name tags, accepting and processing payments from attendees and vendors, assisting in the set-up and teardown of the conference, and other logistical tasks throughout the week.
What’s the next big event for the School and Family Event Support Team?
Tennessee’s 2013 Special Education Conference and RTI Joint Summit held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville on March 12 – 14th, with the 5th Annual Transition Summit pre-conference on March 11th. We’d love to see you there!