February is African Heritage Month. Senator Bernard is co-leading a facebook live series with Dr. Stan Kutcher on the Pandemic of Racism. They have special guests on every Monday to continue the conversation. You can also find resources on the Community Sector Council website on anti-black racism. We were honoured to have Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard as a guest speaker for the NSSAL PD Conference webinar series and the recording is on the LNS Resource Hub.

Recently we sent out a survey on your professional development needs through webinars and how your work can be supported. Thank you for your feedback. There were a number of requests for Mental Health First Aid training. This is now being offered virtually which may open up opportunities for your participation. The link to register for training is below. If you need assistance with the cost of registration fee, you can apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. A template for the learning narrative, which is required for reimbursement through the fund, has been added to the NSSAL PD Fund webpage. These learning narratives will help to create a database of PD opportunities.

The Practitioner Training program modules are now offered on the znanja learning platform. This platform allows for asynchronous learning as well as virtual classrooms. The training modules provide an online community for practitioners. The eCampus link will now take you directly to the new learning platform.

The expense and activity report forms for the NSSAL Community Grants are now available on the website. The reports can be completed and submitted as soon as the money has been spent. The deadline to submit the expense and activity reports is June 30th. In order to improve the administration and delivery of the NSSAL Community grants, we are asking for your input which includes application deadlines. Please complete the survey by February 12th.

Adult Learners' Week 2021 will be held in Nova Scotia from April 5 - 9. Enter your story about how improving your literacy skills has made a difference in your life. Your stories inspire others to continue learning. All eligible submissions will be entered in a draw for a chance to win an iPad Mini and will be published in the Adult Learners' Week 2021 ebooklet. View the ALW2020 ebooklet. All ALW activities are funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support NSSAL learners.

The Learning Beacon: Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in the 2021 issue. Please encourage your learners to write stories about their hometowns for the Community Map feature. If learners want to submit stories on other subjects, we could have a 'Student Writing' feature. Email the stories to Marie David.

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for March and April 2021:
• Teaching Math - Basic Principles: March 1 – 26
• Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing and Spelling: April 26 – May 21
• What's Your Message? Relating To The Adult Learner: April 26 – May 21
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203. These modules are funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system.
Registration Form for NSSAL Participants
Registration Form for Non-NSSAL Participants (Tuition Payers) 

Other PD opportunities:

Mental Health First Aid (Virtual): Sessions are delivered in March 2021. To register, visit https://www.alisonbutler.ca/shop

Mental Health First Aid Training: Wednesday, February 10, 10:00am - 5:00pm AT (60 minute lunch break, 1:00 - 2:00pm) Online via Zoom
Facilitator: Elizabeth Eldridge
Registration deadline: February 4 or when all 15 seats fill (whichever comes first)
Deadline to submit Proof of Completion of Module 1 to Arpeggio Health Services office: Monday, February 8 at 10:00am AT
Course fee: $219.00 per person (HST applicable)

NSSAL IT Fund: There are funds available for community-based learning organizations to purchase equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. Read more information on criteria and application process. The NSSAL IT Fund is funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system.

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. Online learning opportunities are eligible. A new learning narrative template has been added. The NSSAL PD Fund is funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system.

Back to the Top

February 2021
This year, the public is invited attend online events to celebrate the culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of Nova Scotians of African Descent.
Events calendar

Wednesdays and Fridays in February 2021 at HLNA in Windsor NS
Hants Learning Network Association is offering a free 10 week computer program for adults who want to improve their computer skills. To register, email info@hantslearning.com

February 4, 2021 at 2:00pm AT
2021 will see many professional fundraisers looking for alternative fundraising models because of COVID-19. This webinar focuses on new trends that may influence your strategy and prepare your charity for a successful year. Register

February 17, 2021 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
After months of social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are facing what some are calling a “loneliness pandemic.” Social isolation is increasingly being recognized as a public health issue in Canada. Register

February 23, 2021 at 2:00pm AT
Learn more about using Facebook to work remotely with learners. Register

February 25, 2021 at 2:00 - 2:30pm AT
Youth Teaching Adults is a free introductory digital literacy program for adult learners, led by youth volunteer-tutors. Throughout February and March 2021, the first 12 organizations to book Youth Teaching Adults workshops will receive a free iPad. Register by March 31 to receive the iPad.

March 2, 2021 at 2:00pm AT
Learn some tools and tricks for using Adobe Reader in your online teaching practice. Register

March 9, 2021 at 2:00pm AT
Learn how to use social media as tool for teaching adult learners online. Register

March 11 with group coaching in April, and April 13 with group coaching in May
Participants will learn how to make community innovation thrive and will be provided with opportunities to apply an array of simple, yet powerful tools for making the practice of community innovation a reality. Register

Registration closes March 8, 2021.
From March 11 - 15, the first round of Scrabble begins on the Scrabble Go app. The two highest scoring participants will have the chance to team up with a celebrity and a professional Scrabble "ringer" to play a flash round during a live event on March 18. Read more

May 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2021
This 4-part virtual workshop is designed to give participants hands-on experience and a step-by-step approach to designing and facilitating collaborative Community Innovation sessions. Register

Back to the Top

LNS Resource Hub is the place for literacy practitioners who teach, tutor or mentor adult learners in Nova Scotia to share and co-develop teaching resources and discuss best practices. This resource is fully funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system. If you don't already have an account on the LNS Resource Hub, email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.

This is Episode #023 of Debbie Lawrence's podcast series - "Listening with empathy is a skill we all need if we want to be compassionate communicators. In this episode, I talk about how we typically listen and respond autobiographically, when that's okay, and when we need to step up our listening skills and lean in with empathy. Learn about the three worst things to say; and at least three responses that will leave the other person feeling heard, respected and validated every single time." Resource

This program is for Indigenous and/or Black Canadian youth, aged 18 - 30. It provides culturally-appropriate supports and funding for participants who are enrolled at NSCC. For more information, email Dayton Goree   Poster

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored many of the disparities and inequities in our country. In this webinar, Indigenous leaders explore different perspectives on what it will take to end poverty in Indigenous communities. Webinar

The East Preston Empowerment Academy Direct Entry Program is for African Nova Scotians who are apprentices and/or are interested in working in the trades. The program provides the foundation needed to succeed in the trade industry. Poster

Surveys submitted by 6:00pm AT on Friday, February 19, 2021 will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of five $20 bookstore gift cards.

Tell ABC about the type of work your learning organization does. What's working and what supports are needed? Complete the survey by March 7, 2021 and you'll be entered in a draw to win a $100 gift certificate to your local bookstore.

Decoda Literacy Solutions in BC produce The Westcoast Reader, an excellent resource for beginning readers of all ages. Resource

Learn how to design, create and run a crowdfunding campaign for your organization - Pay 0% platform fees, no subscription fees or contracts. Resource

Back to the Top

ABC Life Literacy Canada - January 2021
As I Was Saying - January 2021
CALP Connections - January 2021
Charity Village - February 2021
Decoda Literacy Solutions - January 2021
Literacy Council of New Brunswick - January 2021
Tamarack Institute - January 2021
Volunteer Canada News - January 2021
World Education / U.S. - January 2021