AZTESOL Professional Development Webinar Series:
AZTESOL encompasses a diverse community of professionals, including K-12 educators, language instructors and trainers, community college faculty, university professors, program administrators, coordinators, and graduate students. Dedicated to fostering professional growth, AZTESOL provides its members with enriching development opportunities through conferences, including a targeted webinar series. These offerings encompass a wide range of topics, from pedagogically focused sessions to insights on cutting-edge research and its implications for classroom practices.
The Professional Development Event Committee is led by AZTESOL President Madhukar KC (Madhu), Immediate Past President Francheska Figueroa, and Communications Chair Natalie Ferguson. Please access information about the PD webinar series, along with the accompanying videos below:
Webinars from our Virtual Workshop series!
AZTESOL is collecting videos that will be curated and shared with our educator learner community. Use the form to share your work with others. Access all videos on our AZTESOL Youtube Channel!
Webinar Material from our Virtual Workshop series!
Some presenters have been kind enough to share their presentations or other materials from their workshops, find them at the links below!
- 5/20 Don’t Be Afraid of AI: Your New Assistant to Instruction by Natalie Ferguson
Past Webinars:
- Title: Accessible Computational Thinking (CT) in the Elementary Science Classroom Using a Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Context
Session Description: In this session we will discuss how computational thinking (CT) is ubiquitous in modern science while rarely integrated at the elementary level. This shows an inequitable distribution in the PK-12 setting that outlines the need for early access to CT with the support of an equitable pedagogical framework to provide PK-12 students with opportunities in STEM. With the lack of diversity in STEM fields, our research and PD with elementary teachers to integrate CT with culturally responsive teaching practices will show how to bridge the gap through accessibility.
Presenters: Francheska Figueroa, Arizona State University; Ebony Terrell Shockley, University of Maryland; Li Yan, Arizona Arizona State University
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaEv9oSG4Ac
- Title: Giving EL Students Voice through Multimodal and Narrative Writing Projects
Session Description: In this talk, a classroom SEI teacher gives an overview of several examples of multimodal and narrative writing projects through which EL students share information about their backgrounds and stories. In addition, students also reflect on their language learning process, and they demonstrate agency regarding future steps in their language development. ESL educators can easily adapt these ideas to fit their language learning classrooms and the levels of their students as needed.
Presenter(s): Aleksandra Lazoroska
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp4iCf9bpMQ
- Title: Techniques and Strategies in Writing a Successful TESOL Proposal
Session Description: This webinar focuses on strategies and techniques for constructing a TESOL proposal. During the webinar, the speaker discusses several steps for writing a successful TESOL proposal. Specifically, she focused on different types of proposal formats and examined a few sample proposals interacting with the audience.
Presenter(s): Hilal Peker (Ph.D., University of Central Florida, 2016) is a Federal Projects Coordinator and Educational Policy Consultant at the Bureau of Federal Educational Programs of Florida Department of Education. She is also a professor of TESOL and teaches a wide variety of courses at University of Central Florida (UCF), Florida State University (FSU), Framingham State University, Saint Leo University (SLU), and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Her research interests include inclusive dual-language immersion programs, reconceptualized L2 motivational self-system (R-L2MSS), bullying-victimization of L2 learners, L2 identity, simulation technology, and pre-service teacher training.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJb-Nj1fLl8&t=183s
- Title: Empowering English Learners: Key Strategies for Teaching EL Students to Access Grade-level Skills and Concepts
Session Description:
Presenter(s): Dr. Nicole Teyechea, AZTESOL Secretary
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5_8_xoSWz0
- Title: Moving forward with social-emotional learning: Practical strategies and reflections for English teachers
Session Description:
In this presentation, we introduce social-emotional learning (SEL) in the context of English language teaching (ELT), explain our position for embracing and promoting SEL as a vital practice and pedagogy in ELT, and share practical examples of SEL that English language educators can use in their learning spaces to support learners. Throughout the webinar, we will offer spaces and opportunities for reflections and conversations about how to successfully incorporate SEL, and how to envision ELT through an SEL lens. By the end of this webinar, participants will have an understanding of what SEL is, why include it in our practice and pedagogies, and approaches to including SEL in ELT.
Presenter(s):
Luis Javier Pentón Herrera, Ph.D. is Full Professor at Akademia Ekonomiczno-Humanistyczna w Warszawie, Poland, the Coordinator of the Graduate TESOL Certificate at The George Washington University, United States, and Co-Editor of Tapestry: A Multimedia Journal for Teachers and English Learners. To learn more about Dr. Pentón Herrera, please visit his website https://luispenton.com/
Gilda Martínez-Alba, Ed.D. is the Assistant Dean in the College of Education at Towson University and Co-Editor of Tapestry: A Multimedia Journal for Teachers and English Learners. Her books include, Social-Emotional Learning in the English Language Classroom, with Luis Javier Pentón Herrera (a best seller). and Co-Editor of Tapestry: A Multimedia Journal for Teachers and English Learners. To learn more about Dr. Martínez-Alba, please visit: https://www.towson.edu/coe/departments/learning-technologies/faculty/gmartinezalba.html.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9iv_l9ztAs&t=153s
6) Title: Academic Writing Anxiety: A Deep Dive into Experience, Research,
and Praxis
Session Description: In this interactive workshop, we will explore the profound link between emotions and academic writing, specifically diving deep into Academic Writing Anxiety (AWA). I’ll begin by helping participants understand contemporary research on AWA, then present key research findings from a study I conducted in collaboration with Dr. Susan Miller-Cochran. Practical exercises aimed at understanding and addressing AWA in classroom settings will be introduced, providing educators with tools and strategies. Throughout the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the implications of AWA in their teaching spaces and engage in meaningful conversations about its practical implications. By attending this workshop, participants will grasp the importance of acknowledging AWA in academic writing, understand the findings from our study, and have actionable strategies to address AWA in their respective contexts.
Presenter(s): Anuj Gupta is a PhD candidate who embodies multiple roles at the University of Arizona – a UX researcher, a technical writing educator, and Data Science and Digital Scholarship Fellow. His research and teaching agenda focuses on designing, analyzing, testing, and deploying language technologies to create transformative learning experiences that promote social justice, inclusion, and empowerment for diverse audiences. He is currently working on his dissertation research, where he is analyzing the impact of AI technologies like large language models (LLM) on human communication, literacy, and emotions. He was recently awarded the Kairos Graduate Student Research Award and the CCCC Scholars for the Dream Award. His research can be found in journals including Composition Studies, ALRA, JSLAT, and the CWPA journal. Previously, Anuj helped build one of India’s pioneering college-level writing programs at Ashoka University. You can learn more about his research by visiting his website: https://bit.ly/40LONpt.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtDXqbIrodU&t=1298s
7) Title: They Don’t Speak English?! An Introduction to Working with Newcomers
Session Description: This webinar will provide participants with practical instructional strategies and differentiation techniques to include newcomers in all lessons. Participants will explore steps to take from the first day a newcomer walks through the classroom door to differentiated questioning techniques to use during whole-group and small-group instruction.
Presenter(s): Tyler Ramey, M.Ed, Education Consultant, Enaltecer Education Consulting LLC.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9g4H8bJE3k&t=2044s
8) Title: Technology-Enhanced Language Learning: MOOC Creation and Content
Session Description: In this engaging webinar tailored for ESL teachers seeking to harness the power of technology in language education, Dr. Abdullah Saykili will delve into the intricacies of designing and developing a massive open online course titled ‘Technology-Enhanced Language Learning’ (TELL-MOOC). Developed in collaboration with experts at Anadolu University, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University, TELL-MOOC aims to empower language teachers with cutting-edge techno-pedagogical knowledge and skills. Throughout the session, Dr. Saykili will offer a firsthand look into the creation process, guided by the renowned ADDIE principles of instructional design. Furthermore, Dr. Saykili will illuminate the pedagogical underpinnings of the course, drawing upon the Community of Inquiry framework to foster engaging and interactive learning environments. Additionally, attendees will receive comprehensive information on the course content, learning activities, and course registration, ensuring they leave equipped with actionable strategies to enhance their ESL teaching experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore innovative approaches and elevate your teaching practice!
Presenter(s): Dr. Abdullah Saykili is an educator, researcher, and scholar specializing in open and distance learning, educational technologies, and language education. Currently, he serves as a post-doctoral research fellow at Arizona State University and Assistant Professor of Lifelong Learning and Adult Education at Anadolu University. With an M.A. and Ph.D. in Distance Education, Dr. Saykili has dedicated his expertise to designing innovative learning environments and integrating technology to enhance educational experiences. His research focuses on areas such as massive online open courses (MOOCs) for teacher development, artificial intelligence in education, learning experiences design, and learning analytics. Driven by a commitment to innovation, Dr. Saykili aims to contribute to the transformation of educational experiences and empowerment of learners worldwide.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sL13Ey9ONQ
9) Title: Don’t be afraid of A.I.: your new Assistant to Instruction!
Session Description: The introduction of free, open-source, artificial intelligence (A.I.) has sparked fear of cheating amongst students, but the potential of this paradigm-shifting technology is vast. Teachers have always been quick to adapt, and A.I. will add a cutting-edge layer to our instruction. Embracing this technology can save you time and energy, boost your creativity, and give your students the chance to adapt to the new future. In this workshop, you will be introduced to several free, online A.I. tools and learn tools and tricks on how to make A.I. work for you! The presenter will provide examples of how A.I. can be used for administrative tasks, as well as to create curricular material and assessments.
Presenter(s): Natalie Ferguson earned her M.A. in TESL at Northern Arizona University, as well as her B.A. in English and B.A. in French. She has taught in elementary schools and summer camps across France, a STEM university in Shenzhen, China, and a wildlife college in Mweka, Tanzania as an English Language Fellow. She returned to her home state of Arizona in 2020 and is now teaching English as a Second Language at West Phoenix High School. She also serves on the AZTESOL board as the Communications Chair.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T99zcXl-Zts
10) Title: Mentoring Graduate Writers in the Dissertation and Publication Processes
Session Description: Writing and publishing are critical elements of graduate school. In this webinar, we focus on mentoring graduate students in their dissertation and academic publishing journeys. The discussion will focus on personal writing experiences in graduate school and our current research on institutional and peer-led mentoring practices to prepare doctoral students for academic positions. Faculty and graduate students in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, Education, and any related fields are welcome to join us in our conversation.
Presenter(s):
Ali Yaylali is an assistant professor in the Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership Department at Eastern Kentucky University. He is a former high/middle school ESL teacher and one of the past presidents of Arizona TESOL organization. His research activity focuses on adolescent multilingual learners’ writing in content areas, corpus-based language pedagogy, disciplinary literacy, pre-service teachers’ transformative learning, and mentoring doctoral writing. His publications appeared in literacy and language journals. A former recipient of the TESOL Leadership Mentoring Award, he is currently serving as the managing editor of TESOL Second Language Writing Interest Section News.
Sarah Albrecht is an assistant professor of bilingual education at the University of Houston- Downtown. Her research interests include biliteracy, pedagogical translation, and bilingual teacher preparation, with publications appearing in transdisciplinary journals. A former high school Spanish teacher, she earned her Master of Arts in Spanish from New Mexico State University and Master of Education and PhD in Language, Reading and Culture from the University of Arizona.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R44ZGsXSKBg&t=522s
11) Title: Teaching Writing both Practically and Progressively Using Critical
Language Awareness (CLA) Pedagogy
Session Description: In this talk aimed at secondary and postsecondary teachers, I will offer a rationale, principles, and numerous examples of Critical Language Awareness (CLA) pedagogy in the teaching of writing to English Learners (ELs). A CLA approach helps to prepare ELs for their academic and professional futures while also exploring relevant justice-related themes such as nativespeakerism, linguistic profiling, and World Englishes. There will be time for Q&A midway and at the end. If you would like to learn a bit more about CLA before the session, please visit: https://clacollective.org/
Presenter(s): Shawna Shapiro is Professor of Writing and Linguistics at Middlebury College. Her research focuses on college transitions and innovative pedagogies for multilingual/L2 writers. Shapiro’s work appears in many peer-reviewed journals, including TESOL Quarterly, TESOL Journal, and Research in the Teaching of English, and she has written books for TESOL/NAFSA and Multilingual Matters. Her most recent book, Cultivating Critical Language in the Writing Classroom, was published with Routledge in 2022.
Click this link to access the full webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgj8uXYazwU&t=3s
12) Title: Ethical-Epistemic Awareness and the Use of AI in Language and Literacy
Education
Session Description: In this hands-on and exploratory session, Dr. Shyam Sharma of the State University of New York at Stony Brook will help us critically examine AI’s influence on education, focusing on its epistemic limitations, ethical challenges, and global inequalities. As we explore AI’s impact on teaching and learning throughout the webinar, we will first discuss and develop strategies to foster critical AI literacy among students. We will then try to find out our comfort zones and discuss how to help students do so while ensuring its ethical and critically informed use in education.
Presenter(s): Dr. Shyam Sharma is Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stony Brook University, part of the State University of New York. His scholarship and teaching focus on writing in the disciplines, cross-cultural rhetoric, international students and education, new media in education, and issues about language and language policy. He has published widely in these areas in a variety of venues in and beyond Writing Studies. A recipient of Nepal Bidya Bhusan (2000), AACU’s Future Leaders Award (2012), SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service (2021), and the Fulbright Specialist fellowship (2023-26), Dr. Sharma is actively engaged in faculty development support internationally, including to address emerging challenges posed by new technologies.
Click this link to access the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfFh92ltOes
13) Title: “Three Languages, Many Multilingualisms: Pitfalls and Promises of Trilingual
Education from a Suburban Arizona School”
Session Description: In this presentation, Dr. Cory Buckband will discuss key takeaways from his ethnographic dissertation study with a trilingual elementary school in suburban Arizona. This research used an equity-oriented framework to explore how several languages were differentially and hierarchically positioned at the school, including multiple varieties of English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, and Dine Bizaad/Navajo. Participants will critically analyze 3 key selections from ethnographic observations, interviews, and school documents to explore the meanings and values that diverse actors associate with different languages and language communities. Dr. Buckband will also introduce participants to the most pressing trends in trilingual education, a unique yet increasingly popular educational model in the United States. Throughout the presentation, themes will be highlighted as “pitfalls” (barriers or obstacles to equity) and “promises” (conduits to equity or promising and hopeful outcomes) in order to prompt participants to reflect on the positive and negative aspects of trilingual education, both at the focal school and expressed in national trends.
Presenter(s): Cory A. Buckband, PhD is a 2024 graduate in Educational Policy & Evaluation from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses with bi/multilingual teachers and administrators on educational language policy, family-community engagement, and critical qualitative and quantitative research methods. Dr. Buckband is the Program Analyst and Coordinator for the STEM Center of Excellence at Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, Arizona. In this role, he conducts applied research and program evaluation to strengthen and institutionalize the college’s co-curricular STEM career development programs.