Azad Moradian
Good morning; Ladies and Gentleman Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend the
NABE Conference on your behalf.I have put together a report accenting some of the more important highlights of the conference, in order to give you a better point of reference, I have put together a video to accompany this report.
"
Giving children the world " was the slogan of the NABE conference that took place on Feb.20-24 2001 at the Phoenix, Arizona.
The 25th Anniversary conference of NABE was inaugurated with welcome messages by congressman Ed Pastor, Arizona State Senator Joe Eddie Lopez, and the mayor of the city of phoenix Skip Rimsza.
The welcome message from AABE's (Arizona Association for Bilingual Education) president Jesus Escarcega, Jr., and NABE president Joel Gomez and the Executive Director Delia Pompa.
The overall messages from this individuals was to acknowledges 25 years of success for growth and wishing the participates to delight work towards NABE?s goals of promoting education equity and excellent for students and professional.
A side from the expected participants such as teachers, principals, and other academies, their were many researcher, artist and educational publisher also participated in this collaborative endeavor.
The National Association for bilingual Education, or NABE is a dynamic Non-profit membership organization that began its effort in 1972 in Austin TX. .
NABE is headquartered in the nation’s capital .It is held annually at the different state. The state of CA& GT; has been the host to NABE four times.
The contents of this conference was made up 19 Special Interest Group, they were as followed:
1. Adult/vocational education SIG
2. Asian amp; pacific Islanders SIG
3. Critical pedagogy SIG
4. Early childhood education SIG
5. Elementary Education SIG
6 ESL in Bilingual education SIG
7. Gifted Education SIG
8. Global Education SIG
9. Higher Education SIG
10. Indigenous Bilingual Education SIG
11. Instructional Technology SIG
12. Language Policy SIG
13. Parent & community SIG
14. Policy makers SIG
15. Professional Development SIG
16. Secondary Education SIG
17. Special Education SIG
18. Teachers making connection SIG
19. World languages & Cultures SIG
These SIG's were supported by 18 Educational Institutes, that would bring the research and finding into a business context.
Special exhibition that offered many educational tools such as newly published books, and other sources information, and Job Fair began the second day of the conference. A side from meanwhile of the NABE there were numerous other attraction that field the body of the convention, such as visiting specialty school, variety of musical and performances dance, and toped with excitement of Rodeo in Corona Ranch.
The context of each day would be set beginning with meeting initiated by NABE or OBEMLA (Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language). The remaining schedule for the day would be field with multitude of SIG workshops designated to assist individual need.
One the first day I attend the following subjects:
1. Title 1 and title VII: serving the same student by OBEMLA title VII institute concurrent sessions.
2. Effective practices in family literacy programs by Santa Ana Unified School District CA.
3. The write institute: A standards based staff Development program by San Diego Union H.S. District CA.
The open ceremony of the conference took place at 6:00pm at Symphony terrace with a gala of Hispanic and Native American.
On the second day (fFeb.22) I attended the following subjects:
1. Successfully navigating the NABE conference By Alicia Sosa. Who is NABE Director of Membership? The session provided as for session selection, scheduling, post-conference activities, and much more.
2. Title VII Adelante: Impacting teacher Beliefs, Classroom Behaviors, and Student Performances by Dr. Thomas D. Yaw key professor and Director in the Pennsylvania State University.
3. Minnesota Test of emerging academic English By Families Learning, MN.
4. SIG Business Meeting: Indigenous Bilingual Education by Carlos Accedes as Chairperson In TX.
On the 3rd day Friday (Feb.23) I attended the following subjects:
1. English Language Learners And Bilingual Students, by Catherine Snow Harvard University, MA.
2 Low Incidence LEP School Districts. Creating A National Agenda by Andrew Cary, Transact MD.
3. A Special appearance by the NASA Astronaut Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz was highlighted by his speech, by National Bilingual Student Essay Awards Luncheon that took place on Friday. Awarding special achievers in categories ranging from Elementary school, Middle school and High school followed his speech.
On Saturday the Plenary Keynote Address was given by Dr. Jim Cummins professor in the Modern language Center and Curriculum Department of Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Toronto Canada, discussing the future of Bilingual students heading the members to take special care in assisting bilingual students in their quest for successful academic future.
That evening was the gathering of all members celebrating a 5-day worth of empowering new and fresh ideas at a gala provided by NABE.
This reception was a final chance for the members to socialize, have dinner, and dance before leaving the 25th Anniversary NABE conference.
I would like to sincerely thank you all for selecting me to attend this conference, it was truly an eye opening experience.
I hope that my report accompanied by the video presentation provided small window into the experience of the NABE conference.
