RBERNing Questions
RBERNing Questions is a professional learning podcast, produced by Mid-State RBERN, where we answer your most compelling questions about teaching, serving, and supporting multilingual learners. We connect teachers and leaders of English Language Learners (ELLs) and Multilingual Learners (MLs) with experts in our field who will address timely and specific questions relating to instructional practices, teacher collegiality, and outreach to students and their families.
If you are a K-12 educator, to receive CTLE credit for listening to this podcast, go to our website: https://midstaterbern.org/2023-2024-podcasts/.
To find out more about the Mid-State RBERN team, visit https://midstaterbern.org/who-we-are/.
RBERNing Questions
Building Capacity & Community: Inside the World of NYS TESOL with Shawnna Sweet
Episode Summary:
In this episode, learn about Shawnna’s journey from teaching to leadership; what inspired her to begin her work at her local RBERN, and how she continually grew in her roles to support ELLs & MLs, including the shift to her current role as president of NYS TESOL. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing leadership qualities in practitioners in our field and “tapping” them to fill leadership roles. Shawnna also gives us a peek into some of the new ways NYS TESOL is keeping its work current and sustainable. For a behind the scenes look at the thought process behind NYS TESOL biggest event, the annual conference, listen in now!
RBERNing Questions for this Episode:
1- Tell us about the theme of this year’s conference. How will the virtual aspect of the event be implemented this year?
2- In what ways has NYS TESOL developed over the past year? (New incentives for members, etc.)
3- What are some tips that you have for those who might be considering taking on a leadership role in this field?
Full BIO:
Shawwna Sweet is honored to serve as the 2024 President of NYS TESOL. She has previously served as NYS Regional Co-Chair for Buffalo-Rochester Region and VP of Finance. Shawnna works as the Director of Multilingual Education for the Greece Central School District. This role allows her to serve the district in the areas she is most passionate about: English as a New Language, World Languages, and Bilingual Education, along with Translation and Interpretation Services.
She began her career in education as an ESOL teacher in Greece, where she taught students in grades K-12, Adult ESOL and GED. Additionally, she spent ten years as an adjunct faculty member at Nazareth College, working with graduate students in the TESOL and International TESOL programs.
Prior to returning to Greece Central in 2022, Shawnna served as a specialist with the Mid-West RBERN at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, where she worked closely with NYSED's Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages and local school districts to support multilingual learners. She currently serves on the NYSED World Language Content Advisory Panel, NYSED Seal of Biliteracy Task Force, and NYSED ELL Graduation Task Force.
She holds a B.A. in English with a minor in Secondary Education from St. John Fisher College, and M.S. in TESOL from Nazareth College, and Advanced Certificates in School Building and District Leadership from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester.
Resources:
Websites/Social Media:
NYS TESOL: https://nystesol.org/
Annual Conference Webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/nys-tesol/home?authuser=2
X (Twitter):
https://x.com/ShawnnaSweet
https://x.com/NYSTESOL
Mentioned in this episode:
Let the Children Soar! The Complexity and Possibilities of Educating the English Language Student: https://www.viethconsulting.com/Calendar/moreinfo.php?eventid=140258
Email: pres@nystesol.org
To find out more about Mid-State RBERN at OCM BOCES' services, listen to season 1 of the show with host Collette Farone-Goodwin, or to receive CTLE credit for listening to episodes, click here: https://midstaterbern.org/