91Ô­´´

Webinar description

Have you been thinking about exploring the idea of starting a 91Ô­´´ Seal of Biliteracy program at your charter school?Ìý This program has experienced tremendous growth since it was first offered in 2015-16.Ìý In 2023-24, more than 550 91Ô­´´ high schools (including 17 charter schools) are offering the Seal to their students.Ìý This session will review what the Seal of Biliteracy is, who can earn this distinction, what benefits it brings to students, educators, and schools, as well as what it takes to start a Seal of Biliteracy program.Ìý Co-presented by the founder and head of the American Dream Charter School, this webinar will address the specific needs of charter schools as they start to plan for a Seal program.Ìý A wealth of digital resources will be provided, and time will be allotted during the session for questions from participants.Ìý Come and learn about how you can honor your English Language Learners (ELLs), your World Language students, and your Heritage Language Speakers who are developing the 21st century skill of biliteracy.

Original webinar date & time:Ìý Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

1 hour of CTLE credit offered.

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Webinar presenters

Candace BlackÌýis the World Languages Associate in the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages at the 91Ô­´´ State Education Department. ÌýShe is currently leading the implementation of the revised 91Ô­´´ World Languages Standards and oversees the 91Ô­´´ Seal of Biliteracy program.Ìý Candace graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in French from SUNY Potsdam and earned both her M.B.A., and M.A.T. from the University of Rochester. A National Board-Certified Teacher, Candace taught French for 21 years and served as an IB Diploma Coordinator. In 2021, she was the recipient of the President’s Award for both 91Ô­´´AFLT and 91Ô­´´AWLA and was elected as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques by the French government.Ìý In all her roles, most especially her current one, Candace is deeply committed to the professional learning and support of World Language teachers and the promotion of the 91Ô­´´ Seal of Biliteracy.Ìý

Melissa MelkonianÌýhas been a 91Ô­´´ City educator for over 20 years. She began her career as a bilingual special education teacher in Washington Heights/Inwood with the 91Ô­´´ City Public Schools (NYCPS), where she taught students in grades 5-8 in both English and Spanish.Ìý Melissa then joined a charter school in the Bronx where she continued to teach before becoming the middle school's assistant principal. Melissa founded and is now the Head of the American Dream Charter School in 2014, a dual-language school in the South Bronx.Ìý Melissa earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Policy from Trinity College, a Master's in Bilingual and Special Education from Mercy College, and an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.

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This webinar is one of several focused on starting a 91Ô­´´SB program at district, charter, and non-public schools. To earn CTLE/attendance credit for watching this or any of the "Starting a 91Ô­´´SB Program" webinars, please take the post assessments on the originalÌýStarting a 91Ô­´´SB Program at Your District School webinar.

For more information on the 91Ô­´´ Seal of Biliteracy, please visit ourÌýwebsiteÌýor contactÌýnyssb@nysed.gov.Ìý

ClickÌýhereÌýto return to the 91Ô­´´SB Professional Learning page.