Center for Learning, Education, and Employment

Upcoming Events

National Disability Employment Awareness Month October 2016 – #InclusionWorks

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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

 

Celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week!

2016-07_aeflw_logo_dateWe invite you to join us in celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, September 26 – October 1, 2016.

Adult education and family literacy programs serve adult students who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, obtain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for community college or vocational training.

Family literacy programs serve parents and their young children, teaching basic skills, English as a Second Language, and parenting skills to adults while their children are provided high quality instruction. These programs are focused on breaking the cycles of low literacy, low education, and poverty.

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Knoxville “Community Conversation” on Employment for People with Disabilities

Community conversationWhen: 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!

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Madeline Rogero

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Stephanie Cowherd

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Mike Sass

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Tina Jones

 

 

 

 

CLEE’s Flipped Learning Presentations at FlipCon 2015

picture-Duren ThompsonCenter 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.

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:

 

EFF Preparing for Work Training – Registration Closes Soon!

PFWvideosnap3Are 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.

Photo of Sharon Potts

Nashville CapABILITY Career Expo May 20, 2015

As part of the Expo Planning Committee, CLEE is proud to announce the following event:

Have you Heard? Have you passed the word to Jobseekers with Disabilities in the Greater Nashville Metropolitan Area?

CapABILITYExpo_AD

On May 20th – a great opportunity at the Career CapAbility Expo for Jobseekers of all levels of Abilities to meet with Companies who are EAGER to HIRE.

Expo runs from 3pm-7:30pm at the Nashville Airport Marriot
See Event Flyer for details
Jobseekers Register here: http://j.mp/1CpNoGM

TO PREPARE:

JOBSEEKERS –  Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will provide their Career Coach from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. that day (attendees may use their services to prepare for the Expo). The Career Coach provides Internet access for research or online applications, help with resumes, printing,  and interview practice.   A list of companies attending the Expo is available here: http://www.tennesseeworks.org/2015/04/capability-career-expo/

EMPLOYERS – You are invited to a Diversity and Inclusion Lunch and Learn at the Nashville Airport Marriot 11:30 am -1:00 pm. For more information visit: http://mtshrm.org/meetinginfo.php?id=171 . Sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management.

Please share this opportunity widely via social media (link to CLEE Facebook) and encourage everyone to register and attend.

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.

PFWvideosnap1Preparing 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

PfWbrochuresnipEach participant will receive the following materials:

  1. a copy of the Preparing for Work Curriculum instructor’s guide,
  2. a copy of the Preparing for Work Curriculum student manual, and
  3. 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

Expect – Employ – Empower – Celebrate TN Employees with Disabilities in October!

because mentorHeld 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

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For more information about NDEAM events and opportunities in Tennessee, visit Tennessee Works or contact: Stephanie Cowherd scowherd@utk.edu

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.

 

Time to reskillBackground

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!

NDEAMLady2013October 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

kmartinez““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

RSVP Now for October Disability Awareness Events in East TN!

ThunderDog2In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, East Tennessee organizations sponsor three events with internationally acclaimed public speaker and New York Times Bestselling author, Michael Hingson.

Michael Hingson uses his personal stories and experiences escaping from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 as the backdrop for his talks on the life lessons learned growing up in a world different from what most of us experience. Michael, blind since birth, led co-workers from the 78th floor of the WTC building with the help of his guide dog Roselle. 

We invite you to join CLEE staff and this inspirational speaker at one of these three events promoting the benefits of employing people with disabilities:

October 29, 8:00 – 10:30am – disABILITY Forum (7:30am continental breakfast)

Location:  Toy F. Reid Employee Center,  400 So. Wilcox Dr. Kingsport, TN
RSVP to Teresa Smith by October 24: (423) 434-6989 or teresas@utk.edu
Hosted by the Northeast TN Diversity in Employment Consortium and  Eastman Chemical Co. No registration fee required.

October 29, 2:30 – 4pm – Disability Forum (Refreshments to follow)

Location:  Walters State Community College, International Lyceum, Morristown, TN
RSVP to Teresa Smith by October 24: (423) 434-6989 or teresas@utk.edu
Hosted by the Northeast TN Diversity in Employment Consortium and Walters State Community College. No registration fee required.

October 30, 8:00 – 10:00am – Disability Employment Awareness Breakfast

 Location:  Crowne Plaza,  401 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN
Register by October 25: Online or via emailed/faxed Registration Form
Hosted by the Knoxville Area Employment Consortium.

Michael Hingson will be available for book signing after each event.

All three forums are presented in conjunction with Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Workforce Employer Outreach Committee meetings.

CLEE staff of the  DRS Corporate Connections and DRS Regional Employment Consultants grant project are proud to support these and many other celebrations of disability employment awareness throughout Tennessee during October, 2013.

The center receives funding from the Tennessee Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services.

“Your Future is Calling” says GED Testing Service

“By completing the GED® test, you can answer the call.

Complete the GED® test by the end of 2013, and then go on to college, a better job, the respect you deserve, and the accomplishment of earning your high school credential.”

A recent press release announces that the GED Testing Service™ (GEDTS™) has launched its 2002 Series Closeout Campaign: Your Future is Calling, alerting test-takers who need to finish the GED® test by the end of 2013.

The current version of the test—the 2002 Series GED® Test—will expire at the end of 2013, along with any incomplete test scores.  Test-takers who pass some but not all of the 2002 Series GED® Test will have to start over. 

GEDTS™ encourages everyone to join the 2002 Series Closeout Campaign and tell adult learners to finish the GED® test by the end of 2013. Based on research, GEDTS™ has compiled a Closeout Campaign message guide that focuses on being hopeful, positive, and future-oriented.

CLEE encourages everyone to take part in getting the word out!

“More than a million adults have started but not finished the current GED® test. As a nation, we cannot afford to let millions of working-aged adults miss this opportunity to complete and pass the GED® test, opening doors to college, training, and better jobs.”

Nicole Chestang, executive vice president of GED Testing Service™

CLEE supports TNCore Common Core Coaches and Statewide Initiative

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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.

CLEE Professional Development Support Services at 2012 TETC

TECT CoverWe 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.

TETC-regsmallOur 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!

“Back to Basics” Fall Conference – TN Department of Rehabilitation Services

Park Vista Hotel And Convention Center PhotoCLEE would like announce the “Back to Basics” fall training Conference hosted by Tennessee Department of Rehabilitation Services . Starting on November 27 and running for three days , “Back to Basics” will be located at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN. The Conference boasts a wide array of exciting topics with many renowned speakers.

Highlighted speakers and topics include:

  1. Robert B. Nicholas, PhD: Senior Visiting Fellow for Disability Research at the John J. Heldrich Center at Rutgers University, speaking on Expanding Employment Opportunities for Job Seekers through Employer Partnerships.
  2. Linda Hedenblad, MSE, CRC: Visiting Program Coordinator for TACE Region V, SIU Carbondale, speaking on Motivational Interviewing and a brief Ethics Presentation.
  3. Ms. Paula Jones, MS, CRC: From the East Tennessee Technology Access Center, presenting on Assistive Technology.
  4. Victor Oakley, Sevier County Career Center Manager and Teresa Broome, Assistant Director-East TN, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, presenting on JOBS4TN.
  5. Lee Ann Rawlins, PhD, CRC, CFLE: CLEE Program Coordinator/TACE Southeast,  with multiple topics, including: Transition School to Work and Rehabilitation Vs. Production

For more information, please contact Lee Ann Rawlins at lrawlin1@utk.edu.

Celebrate Employees with Disabilities in October!

“During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the indispensable contributions people with disabilities make in our economy and recommit to building a country where each of us can realize the full extent of our dreams.”
Barack Obama

By presidential proclamation, October 2012 is proclaimed as a month to, “…rededicate ourselves to bringing down barriers and raising up aspirations for all our people, regardless of disability, so we may share in a brighter future together.”

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

For more information about NDEAM events and opportunitities in Tennessee, visit Tennessee Works or contact:  Stephanie Cowherd  scowherd@utk.edu

Family Literacy: Free Seminar on Community Mapping

Free web seminar aimed at identifying community and family resources with potential to enhance literacy learning for children and stronger school-family relationships. Sponsored by the National Center for Literacy Education.

Community Mapping Web Seminar – more info:  http://www.ncte.org/seminars/comm_mapping

DATE/Time: October 4, 2012,  3:00 p.m. CDT

To register visit:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22GED9NT8X5

Presenters:

  • Rosario Ordo’ez-Jasis, CSU Fullerton
  • KaiLonnie Dunsmore, The Ball Foundation
  • Carlos Ochoa, Learning Director at Ybarra Academy of the Arts and Technology (Rowland Unified School District)
  • George Herrera, Program Specialist at Giano Intermediate School (Rowland Unified School District)

Event: EFF Preparing for Work Curriculum training

Announcing an EFF Preparing for Work Curriculum training on October 2-3, 2012 in Knoxville TN.

This training is open to all organizations and agencies involved in preparing their clients and students for entry level work.

For more information, and to register visit the event website.

If you have any questions about this event, contact Aaron Kohring – akohring@utk.edu .

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