Colorado Association for Bilingual Education

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FEATURED KEYNOTES:

Janet N. Zadina, Ph.D.

Janet N. Zadina, Ph.D. is an experienced high school and community college instructor and reading specialist now engaged in neuroscience research.  She received her doctorate in the College of Education at the University of New Orleans, conducting her award-winning dissertation research on the neuroanatomy of dyslexia through collaboration with Tulane University School of Medicine. 

She continued her postdoctoral education with a Fellowship in Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Tulane University School of Medicine where she researched neuroanatomical risk factors for developmental language disorders through MRI brain scans. 

She is currently an Assistant Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Tulane and in Psychology at the University of South Florida engaged in neuroscience research.  Dr. Zadina is co-author of Writing Now, a college developmental composition textbook.  She has presented keynotes and workshops on brain research and instruction internationally.

Dr. Zadina's Presentation Topic: Using Brain Research to Enhance and Energize Language  Instruction

This lively presentation, peppered with humor, music, and audience participation, engages and empowers educators by providing a foundation in research and theory on language learning in the brain and strategies for applying the research. Take a tour of a real brain via MRI brain scan and see how learning takes place in the brain through amazing visuals.  You will gain a basic understanding of  language processes in the brain, including second language processes, which will give you insight into the difficulties language learners have. Learn principles for instruction based on brain research and acquire strategies for addressing second language and  learning differences. Experience what it feels like to use alternative pathways in the brain.   In addition, you will participate in activities that illustrate the principles  and see how they can be applied. Participants will leave this session energized and excited about trying these new approaches to teaching and learning! Suitable for: all instructors who work with second-language learners

Kathy Escamilla

Kathy Escamilla is a Professor of Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  She received her Ph.D. from UCLA in Los Angeles in 1987 in Curriculum and the Study of Schooling – emphasis in Bilingual Education, an MS in education with an emphasis in Bilingual-Bicultural Education from the University of Kansas in 1975 and a BA in Spanish and education from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Kathy has been a bilingual elementary teacher in Johnstown, Colorado, and in inner-city Los Angeles.  She has been a Bilingual Head-Start teacher, Director of Bilingual Programs for the Tucson Unified School District and a professor of bilingual education.  She has over 35 years of experience in the field of bilingual/ESL education.

She is the author of one book titled, “Instrumento de observación de los logros de la lecto-escritura inicial,” which is a reconstruction of English Reading Recovery into Spanish.  The book is in its third printing.  She is the author of over 32 publications in research journals and book chapters.   
Kathy is active in the bilingual/ESL community in the United States.  She served two terms as the President of the National Association for Bilingual Education.  Further, she served on the National Panel for Early Literacy, and the national Hispanic Advisory Council for the National center for Family Literacy.  Her life’s work and he passion is to work foe social justice for Spanish speaking children and their families in U.S. schools.

DWIGHT D. JONES
COLORADO COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

Dwight Jones was appointed Colorado Commissioner of Education on June 1, 2007, by a unanimous vote of the Colorado State Board of Education. Before becoming commissioner, he was the superintendent of schools for the Fountain-Fort Carson School District for four years. He takes pride in being an educator for more than 20 years.

Jones makes education excellence his life's mission. He sets high expectations for all students because he believes it is the best way to ensure success for each child. As a teacher, principal and then superintendent, he successfully reduced achievement gaps for minorities and significantly improved test scores for all students.

His education philosophy was instilled by his own parents who set high expectations for him. He knows that too many minority students still suffer the long-term effects of a substandard education. Jones possesses a proven record of ensuring that all students succeed regardless of race or status.

Jones serves on many boards and councils and is highly respected among his peers as a leading expert in improving achievement for all students. He serves on the Education Commission of the States and the Closing the Achievement Gap Commission as well as many other organizations. He is an adjunct professor, speaker and writer.

Jones previous educational experience includes serving as an assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Fountain-Fort Carson and Wichita, Kansas Public Schools. He was the principal of a large urban high school in Wichita after moving through the ranks of elementary and middle schools as teacher and principal in the Wichita Public Schools system. Jones was also an operational vice president of Edison Schools, Inc.

Make plans now to attend this premier professional development event. International, national, state, and local experts will come together to bring you a relevant and dynamic program.