Video/Webinar
Teacher Training Plus is a webinar series across four strands that presents best-practice instructional strategies.
Within each strand, we identified three areas of need and designed webinars to address each while also presenting strategies for working in a multilevel class or group and tips to convert in-person teaching techniques to distance learning.
This strand is best for instructors teaching adults who are learning foundational reading skills
Generously funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
Upcoming Events
Setting a Purpose for Reading
September 23, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Reading is more than just decoding words; it’s an active, purposeful engagement with text. This comprehensive webinar delves into the profound impact of establishing a clear reading purpose that fosters deeper comprehension and promotes meaningful interaction between the reader and the material. We’ll explore how connecting discrete reading assignments to overarching personal and academic goals significantly enhances learner motivation, persistence, and overall achievement.
Asking the Right Questions
February 19, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
This webinar will focus on the critical importance of developing effective questions that not only align seamlessly with intended learning objectives but also promote higher-level thinking skills. We will dissect various question types, including the nuances of “thick” vs. “thin” questions, “open-ended” vs. “closed-ended” prompts, and the importance of distinguishing between fact and interpretive opinion, or explicit meaning and inferred understanding. Join us to learn how to design targeted questions that challenge learners to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and create. You’ll leave with actionable techniques that will empower learners to become more independent and critical thinkers who can effectively assess their own comprehension.
Yes, Early Level Learners Can Think Critically!
May 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Are reflection and critical thinking missing from your early literacy curriculum? This webinar bridges the gap, demonstrating how metacognition can profoundly support early learners in mastering reading and writing goals. While metacognitive awareness is crucial, active reflection and critical analysis are often neglected. Join us for practical strategies specifically designed to help early learners develop and apply sophisticated critical thinking skills. Discover how to empower your students to “think about their thinking,” leading to deeper comprehension, more effective writing, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Past Events
January 2024
Back To Basics: Using Phonics to Improve Reading and Engagement Regardless of Student Reading Level (Basic Literacy)
Alphabetics is the first of the four components of reading, yet phonics in the classroom can be easily overlooked if we assume students know their letter sounds. Join us for a basic review of phonics and syllables and how to incorporate these foundational skills into your basic literacy (ABE) lessons in a way that applies to and engages students at every level.
April 2024
What??! You Want Me to Write Too? Strategies for Very Beginning or Anxious Writers (Basic Literacy)
Writing is just so permanent. How can we help our students get over the anxiety of committing pencil to paper? This webinar will present exercises you can incorporate into your lessons that will relieve some of the stress of writing and encourage students to share their ideas.
October 2024
Incorporating Phonics and Fluency into Any Instructional Material (Basic Literacy)
Students often need more practice on a specific skill than the worksheets you have on hand. Join us to learn how to make your materials do double duty to practice phonics and fluency. This session is for those whose students are native English speakers.
February 2025
Incorporating Vocabulary and Writing into Any Instructional Material (Basic Literacy)
Students often need more practice on a specific skill than the worksheets you have on hand. Join us to learn how to make your materials do double duty to practice vocabulary and writing. This session is for those whose students are native English Speakers.
March 2025
Incorporating Reading Comprehension into Any Instructional Material (Basic Literacy)
Students often need more practice on a specific skill than the worksheets you have on hand. Join us to learn how to make your materials do double duty to practice reading comprehension. This session is for those whose students are native English Speakers
About the Presenters
Carolanne Mitchell began her career in adult education in 2014 after earning her Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and has served in many different roles in adult education programs in Philadelphia. Most recently, she taught ABE Reading at Beyond Literacy. Carolanne strives to foster an inclusive learning environment that honors learners’ background knowledge and experiences while building on their skills to open new doors. Using research on the Science of Reading and her classroom observations, Carolanne has helped learners improve their reading and writing skills, achieve educational gains, and boost their confidence.
Ann Marie Barter (Adult Foundational Education) is an educator with over 30 years of experience in teaching, training, curriculum development, and administration in Maine and Illinois. In addition to being a past recipient of several awards, she currently implements new family literacy programs for Catholic Extension after previously serving as the Senior Director of Curriculum and Training for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Ann Marie gained extensive expertise in standards-based education and evaluation practices, curriculum development, and professional development while serving as Distinguished Educator for the Maine Department of Education, as a National Trainer and Coach for the United States Department of Education’s Student Achievement in Reading initiative, and as an instructor of continuing education and graduate level courses. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Janet Sodell (Basic Literacy) has been teaching low-literacy adult basic education students for over 24 years. While teaching in Connecticut she became a teacher and tutor trainer, which she has continued at The READ Center in Richmond, VA. Janet teaches a multi-level class virtually and provides additional tutor professional development on an ad hoc basis. She strives to create engaging, active classes that meet the needs of her students. In 2019, she was awarded the Joan E.D. Kushnir Teacher of the Year award by the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE). She has been a presenter at various state and national conferences. This will be Janet’s second year presenting and facilitating workshops as part of ProLiteracy’s Teacher Training Plus.