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CTN TO HOST ASCENDER FOUNDATIONAL SEMINAR
CTN will host its Ascender Foundational Summer Seminar on May 25th and 26th via Zoom. It is the first in a series of professional development trainings for new Ascender instructors.
The proposed conference agenda begins with a welcome from CTN CEO Dr. Chavez, who will talk about CTN’s mission and any current news or updates. Next Allegra Villarreal, CTN Director of Professional Development, will provide an overview of the seminar’s topics to be addressed using a round robin and parking lot.
First day sessions will feature a number of engaging topics including “A Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Approach,” presented by Allegra Villarreal; “The One -Sentence Lesson Plan,” presented by Norman Eng, CTN Board Member and Founder of EDUCATIONxDESIGN; “A Pedagogic Vision for the Future: Validation Theory and Sentipensante,” presented by Laura Rendon, Professor Emerita, University of Texas - San Antonio; “The Mentoring Component” presented by Dr. Anna Alaniz, CTN Fellow and Faculty, South Texas College; and “Recruitment and Advising in the Program,” presented by Allegra and Ariel Flores, CTN Fellow and Advisor, Austin Community College. The first day will end with campus team time and a daily group reflection.
Day two session topics include “The First Year, First-Gen Experience,” presented by Allegra Villarreal; Si Se Puede: Alumni Speak Out (a student panel)”; “Student Engagement in the Ascender Model; “Toward Common Purpose: Teaching Styles and Teamwork” presented by Allegra; “How we Teach Moving Forward (Mini Sessions)” and “Research and Evaluation in the Model” presented by Erin Doran, CTN Director of Research and Evaluation. The second day will also end with campus team time and a return to the parking lot from day one.
