BEdA Training Fall Quarter

ABCs of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) is a fully online learning opportunity for faculty and staff who work with current and transitioning students in Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) programs to focus on the fundamental aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

In addition to building an EDI vocabulary, participants will explore concepts that include identity, structural oppression, understanding bias, and interrupting microaggressions within a context that centers Basic Education for Adults programming and students. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore and share their campus and program efforts surrounding EDI and to learn more about what SBCTC is doing to advance equity and close equity gaps for all students, with a particular emphasis on students in Basic Education for Adults programs.

Time Commitment:

Canvas:  October 12 - December 15, 2026

Facilitator: 

Kate Orellana, BEdA Program Administrator

This CoP, facilitated by an experienced ELA faculty member, is designed for ELA professionals at varying levels of experience. Unlike traditional trainings, the content of a CoP is framed by the facilitator but fully developed by its members. Your contributions of research, analysis, questions and ideas are essential for creating the full experience.

The sessions will provide opportunities for the group to actively engage in discussions, sharing knowledge and best practices, problem-solving, and generating new ideas for teaching and learning in the ELA classroom. A Canvas site will serve as the resource and engagement hub.

Time Commitment:

Canvas:  Resource and engagement hub - Registration
Zoom:  October 2, 2026 from 10-11:30 a.m.
              November 13, 2026 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Facilitator:

Shannon Potter, Olympic College
Jodi Ruback, BEdA Program Administrator
Kate Orellana, BEdA Program Administrator

The High School+ (HS+) Community of Practice (CoP) is a faculty professional development opportunity regarding the innovative HS+ program that honors our students' experiences and accelerates them through earning a credential that holds meaning for them. This CoP will be facilitated by a seasoned HS+ faculty member and is envisioned as a collective of HS+ professionals who actively engage with one another; those who register should plan to participate in the sharing of knowledge, best practices, problem solving, and exploring ideas in the realm of HS+. A Canvas site will serve as the resource and engagement hub.

 Time Commitment:

Canvas:  Resource and engagement hub - Registration
Zoom:  October 23, 2026 from 9-11 a.m.
               November 19, 2026 from 9-11 a.m.

Facilitator:

Camille Pomeroy, Renton Technical College
Kate Orellana, BEdA Program Administrator
Troy Goracke, BEdA Policy Associate

Each quarter this training will be repeated and is intended for any team who is new to teaching in I-BEST, or it can be a refresher for veteran I-BEST teams.

Teachers learn the fundamentals of contextualization, the fundamentals of team teaching Teachers and how to integrate standards and outcomes and how to develop lesson plans, assignments, and assessments.

This course requires full collaboration from the teaching team, so for this specific training to live up to its intended purpose, we are asking that faculty sign up and participate as a team! 

Space is available for up to 12 teaching teams. Teaching teams are committing to a five-week course with approximately 20 hours of participation and content. The course is completely asynchronous with no required synchronous components.

Time Commitment

Canvas: October 12 - November 20, 2026
approx. 20 hours of particpation

Facilitator: 

Karen Lee, Lake Washington Institute of Technology

The aim of this training is to recall and strengthen previously acquired knowledge and skills. The training, in combination with the answers to your questions, will enhance your understanding of LACES procedures and raise your awareness of recent system updates. These trainings are offered each quarter so staff can attend as needed.

This training is intended for LACES Full Access users. Please forward this invitation to BEdA administrative staff as you see appropriate.

Time Commitment

Zoom:  November 11, 2026 from 9-11 a.m.

Facilitator: 

Scott Toscano, BEdA Relationship and Compliance Analyst

We are pleased to offer a professional development and training opportunity specifically for Washington State navigation and student support staff who serve adult learners in our Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) programs. This is currently the one annual professional development gathering specifically for this BEdA staff population. Whether their role is classified as a navigator, advisor, transition specialist, with intake and enrollment or in assessment, etc., all are invited.

This event is designed to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment among BEdA program navigation and student support staff, fostering a strong sense of community and support for colleagues and students. Through structured discussions and activities, participants will examine how the systems they operate in interact with students to gain a deeper understanding of diverse student experiences, including those of immigrant and refugee students, and learn effective strategies to create empowering support networks

Time Commitment:

Virtual: October 15-16, 2026 via Zoom from 9-Noon

Facilitators: 

Kate Orellana, BEdA Program Administrator
Nicole Hopkins, BEdA Policy Associate
Chastity Pennington, Assoc. Director for Corrections Ed.

This asynchronous course is designed for new navigation and student support staff who have entered the Washington State Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) provider system within the last year. Through readings, videos, and discussion boards, this course provides an overview of the WA State BEdA system and context for these important student service roles. This course takes place entirely online via the Canvas learning management system (no previous experience required).

Time Commitment

Canvas: October 9 - November 13, 2026
Zoom: October 9 and 16 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
             October 30 and November 20 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Facilitator: 

Christie Knighton, Highline College
Dawn Kroontje, Whatcom Community College
Kate Orellana, BEdA Program Administrator