Professional Development Opportunities
Adult education professional development opportunities are open to part-time andfull-time Wisconsin Technical College instructors and staff and our Community-Based educational partners.
Because each opportunity may have different eligibility criteria, please refer to the specific training for more information.
The Adult Education team ensures that professional development opportunities are aligned with the WTCS Student Success Center goals, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title II, and Faculty Quality Assurance System (FQAS).
For questions about professional development options, contact Cristina Parente, Director, ELL Programming.
Spring 2026 Opportunities
Download this guide to training opportunities or read on for more information.
WTCS Spring 2026 Professional Development Opportunities For Adult Education (1)
1. IELCE Section 243 Community of Practice
Mondays @ 9-10am 02/09, 04/13, 06/08
Required for programs who receive Section 243 funds- Please have at least one staff present for the CoP meetings.
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2. TABE Q & A 01/16 @ 1pm
Audience: AE and ESL faculty and administrators
Mike Johnson, National Adult Education Director from DRC will address questions about test administration and scoring for TABE 13/14 and Clas E forms C&D. Faculty are invited to submit questions via survey. Submit questions about tests here. Survey closes on 1/12. No registration required. Use meeting link to join.
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3. IET Mini Boot Camp- Developing the IET Curricula
Fridays @1-2pm Feb 20, Feb 27, March 6, & March 13
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Join us for a virtual hands-on boot camp designed to strengthen your IET program. Learn how to determine the best modality—distance, in-person, or hybrid—while mastering curriculum development and aligning to a single, unified set of learning objectives. Plus, explore effective models of co-teaching that foster collaboration and learner success.
Who should attend?
- Adult Education and Program Faculty currently co-teaching or planning to co-teach
- Program Administrators who collaborate with faculty or IET coordinators
- IET Coordinators
- Anyone new to IET instruction or looking for a refresher
✅We strongly encourage teaching pairs to attend together for maximum impact
What’s Expected from Attendees?
- Watch pre-session videos and come prepared to discuss
- Engage actively in discussions during the session
- Carry back actionable items to implement in your program
- Review and apply resources presented during the training
4.Beginning ESL Literacy Study Circle Study Circle Information 1.06.26.
Developed by Patsy Eagn, PhD, Director, ATLAS & Andrea Echelberger, ATLAS Study Circle Facilitator and Online Course Designer. Study Circle will be facilitated by Cristina Parente, Director ELL Programs, WTCS. Complete registration form by March 27, 2026.
Meeting 1: Building a Strong Foundation-
Characteristics of adult beginning ESL literacy learners in the classroom.
Research Findings: What do we know for sure about this population? What are the recommended practices?
The role of orality in developing literacy skills
Meeting 2: Narrowing the Focus
Building our Literacy Terms lexicon
Unraveling Reading: Emergent reading instruction: What can we learn from early childhood instructors and the role of phonics in reading instruction
The role of balanced literacy in adult classroom
Meeting 3: Organization and Sustainability
What’s out there? Exploring existing free resources for Beginning ESL Literacy instruction
Supporting every learner through intentional multilevel instruction
What is a Study Circle?
What exactly is a study circle? Study circles are small learning groups of practitioners, usually 8 to 12 teachers, who meet to discuss issues of relevance to their classroom practice. They are organized around a specific topic. The groups generally meet for three to five sessions and are
guided by a facilitator who has experience with the topic of study. NCSALL (National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy) names three key elements to study circles: professional wisdom, research, and their application to practice (NSCALL, 2006, p.11). Prior to each session,
participants read a selection of relevant research on the study circle topic, and they may have written or classroom-based reflection tasks to complete as well. During meetings, study circle participants actively discuss the readings and tasks and explore together how research can inform their classroom practice. NCSALL outlines four objectives for participants of a study circle:
1. Read research articles presenting findings from adult education studies
2. Discuss the relevance of the findings for the students with whom they work
3. Discuss strategies for applying the findings in their classrooms and programs
4. Make plans for trying strategies or changing their practice (NSCALL, 2006, p. 1-2)
Your Voice Matters
We’re interested in learning more about your faculty training needs. Please take 5-10 minutes to respond to this anonymous survey.
Other Professional Development Resources
This LINCS Professional Development Guides share evidence-based professional development opportunities available through the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) for instructors, program administrators, professional developers, state staff, and more. LINCS is a national leadership initiative of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), which seeks to expand evidence-based practice in adult education.