Literacy Minnesota Online Training

Welcome to Literacy Minnesota's online training site.

We offer training for adult literacy volunteers and professional development courses for Adult Basic Education teachers and staff. There are also a few courses that offer content directly to adult learners. If you work or volunteer in another setting, such as K-12 education, you are welcome to browse our resources. Simply keep in mind that the intended audience is adult learners and the practitioners who work with them.

If you are new to this site, you may create a Username and Password by clicking Create new account under the login box to the left. If you have previously used this site but have lost or forgotten your login information, contact Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt at swbrandt@literacymn.org.

Note: if you have not logged in for more than 6 months, you may need to create a new account. Accounts unused for 180 days or more may be deleted to make space for new users.

If you are not a resident of Minnesota, please read the Out-of-State Users Policy document below.

Good Luck! If you have any questions or encounter any problems while using this site, please contact Susan.
- Out-of-State Users Policy File
- How do I receive CEUs for my course? Page

Available courses

The 3 Ls: The Difference between Learning Disability, Low Ability and Low Literacy

Come to this session to learn how to distinguish between a learning disability, low ability, and low literacy. Acquire knowledge about different types of learning disabilities. Gain information about students with low ability and valuable resources. Understand the complicated nature of learning for students from other cultures.

This session is intended to meet Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements for modifying, and adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to appropriately meet the individual needs of students. Teachers who complete all units, including the course quiz and evaluation will receive 3 state approved CEUs.

Approximate time to complete course: 3 hours.

Teacher: Moira Knutson
Teacher: Wendy Sweeney
Teacher: Lori Yurick

Northstar Digital Literacy Foundations

Northstar Digital Literacy Foundations provides an introduction to the Northstar Digital Literacy standards and how they can be integrated into any adult education course. The Northstar standards are one of three required sets of content standards for adult education in Minnesota (along with the College and Career Readiness Standards and the ACES-TIF standards).

This course is intended for Minnesota Adult Education teachers, managers, program coordinators, and anyone in a role supporting learners or staff with digital literacy instruction (e.g., curriculum specialists, distance learning coordinators, technology integration specialists, digital navigators, volunteer tutors, etc.). The course consists of three modules. Participants will earn 5 CEUs upon completion (2 CEUs for Module 1, 1 CEU for Module 2, and 2 CEUs for Module 3). To receive CEUs, participants must create an account in the Literacy Minnesota Online Training Portal, enroll in the course, complete all three modules, complete and submit the notetaking document, and complete the course evaluation. You may contact ebennett@literacymn.org for assistance.

Teacher: Elizabeth Bennett
Teacher: Jason Brazier

Survivors Among Us; Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Other Traumas Which Can Impact Adult Student Learning

This course is for Adult Basic Education practitioners to understand symptoms and causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other traumas which can impact adult student learning. Gain knowledge about PTSD, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and historical trauma. Discover how to de-escalate troublesome behaviors.

You will learn about trauma-informed teaching strategies and the importance of post-traumatic growth. This online training is intended to meet the teacher re-licensure area for "Understanding students’ mental illness trauma”.

3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Teacher: Moira Knutson
Teacher: Wendy Sweeney
Teacher: Lori Yurick

Using an LMS to Build Teacher-Created Distance Learning Courses

In this course, you will learn the basics about Learning Management Systems (LMS), how and why you should use one with your adult learners, and resources to help you get started.

Teacher: Jason Brazier
Teacher: Cathy Grady

Distance and Blended Learning Basics for Minnesota Adult Education

Welcome to the new professional development course required for Minnesota adult educators who are offering distance or blended learning options for their adult learners. This course also includes the required training modules for adult education teachers seeking certification for the Teacher Verification Model (TVM) of distance learning.

This course is comprised of 6 modules, all of which can be completed one at a time, at your own pace. Up to 11 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available to teachers who complete all 6 modules. Modules 1- 4 are worth 1.5 CEUs; Module 5 is worth 1 CEU; Module 6 (TVM in Practice) is worth 5 CEUs. For TVM Certification, an additional 2 CEUs/TVM Certification will be issued after you attend a TVM Certification Webinar.

Teacher: Elizabeth Bennett
Teacher: Adam Kieffer
Teacher: Astrid Liden

Suicide Prevention for Adult Educators

This course will help ABE teachers and volunteers learn about suicide and prevention. Learn about prevalence, causes, risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Master a suicide prevention method and practice role playing how to approach students who show signs of suicidal thinking. Prevention is key! Gain knowledge about ways to promote hope, problem solving and resiliency in the classroom.

This workshop is intended to address the re-licensure area for Suicide Prevention Best Practices for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Teacher: Moira Knutson
Teacher: Wendy Sweeney
Teacher: Lori Yurick

Volunteer in the Adult ESL Classroom

This training prepares new volunteers to work in an adult ESL classroom, and provides ongoing development for experienced classroom volunteers. Topics covered include volunteer roles, culture and cultural awareness, responding to errors, and effective floating in the ESL classroom.

Approximate time to complete course: 3 hours.

Teacher: Andrea Echelberger

Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness

This course will help ABE teachers and volunteers understand mental health disorders common to the adult population. Learn to reduce the stigma of mental illness by understanding what it is like and how common it is. Find out how to make it more comfortable to talk about mental illness, including what to say and do when students disclose mental illness. Gain useful information about stress, how it impacts mental health, learn mental wellness strategies, including how to find work-life balance.

This workshop is intended to address the re-licensure area for Understanding Key Warning Signs of Early Onset Mental Illness in Adolescents and Adults.

3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Teacher: Moira Knutson
Teacher: Wendy Sweeney
Teacher: Lori Yurick

Orientation to GED 2014 for ABE Teachers

This course is for teachers who are new to teaching students preparing for the 2014 GED^R. Participants will review the basics of the GED, content students will need, and instructional suggestions to prepare students.

ACES 101: Integrating Academic, Career, and Employability Skills in ABE

A course for Adult Basic Education practitioners who are new to Minnesota's ACES framework for transitions skills.

Teacher: Stephanie Sommers

ACES Project: Academic, Career and Employability Skills

This course is not currently available.

Citizenship Tutor Training

The Citizenship Tutor Training educates teachers and tutors to assist students in preparing for United States Citizenship through naturalization.

This course offers 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Approximate time to complete course: 3 hours.

Teacher: Andrea Echelberger

Informal Reading Assessments for ABE

This interactive course will help ABE/ESL teachers, support staff, and volunteers understand the value, purposes, and processes for conducting informal reading assessments to better inform reading instruction for "struggling" adult readers. Completion of all required course activities and the course assignment will result in 3-5 Continuing Education Units (or CEUs).

Teacher: Kristine Kelly

Using Volunteers in the Classroom

This class will provide ABE and ESL teachers with ideas for effectively using volunteers in their classrooms.

This course offers 2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).Approximate time to complete course: 2 hours.

Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist

For adult learners who want to work towards a career as a Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist.

Teacher: Matt Fischer
Teacher: Mary Kate Lewis
Teacher: See Moua-Leske
Teacher: KariJo Pierson
Teacher: Heather Rickgarn
Teacher: Jenna Weyer

BEST: Building Employability Skills Training

This course is under construction. Please check back soon!

Teacher: Matt Fischer
Teacher: Jenna Weyer

SELF: Supporting English Learners Forward

This course is under construction. Please check back soon!

Teacher: Matt Fischer
Teacher: Jenna Weyer

Digital Education for Adult Learners

This course is under construction. Please check back soon!

Teacher: Matt Fischer
Teacher: Jenna Weyer

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Preparation

This course will prepare adult learners for a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Teacher: Kathy Bjornson
Teacher: Mary Kate Lewis

Child Development Career Preparation

This course will prepare adult learners for a career in the care of young children.

Teacher: Mary Kate Lewis

Integrated Medical Terminology

This course will prepare adult learners for a career in a medical office setting.

Teacher: Mary Kate Lewis

Manufacturing Career Preparation

This course will prepare adult learners for a career in manufacturing.

Teacher: Mary Kate Lewis

Literacy Leadership Supervisor Orientation

This orientation is for all host site staff who will be involved with recruiting and/or supervising an AmeriCorps VISTA member through the Literacy Leadership Program of Literacy Minnesota. Orientation will cover recruitment, onboarding, and supervision, as well as program details and policies.

Literacy Leadership VISTA Member Orientation

Required orientation for Literacy Leadership AmeriCorps VISTA members.

Summer Reads VISTA Member Orientation

Required orientation for Summer Reads AmeriCorps VISTA members.

Teacher: Honna Brown
Teacher: Stephanie Lewis
Teacher: Stephanie Lewis
Teacher: Courtney Zaato

MNPCC Grade 4 English Language Arts

This course is a teacher resource only. It is not for student enrollment.

English/Language Arts 8 - In Development

English/Language Arts 9

English/Language Arts 10

MNPCC Grade 11 Language Arts

This course is a teacher resource only. It is not for student enrollment.

MNPCC Grade 12 Language Arts

This course is a teacher resource only. It is not for student enrollment.

English Grade 12 - Moodle Version

This semester course is meant to connect the earliest forms of human writing to the kinds of stories we tell and where we might be heading.

Students will work on reading early human literature; exposure to Greek Mythology and British Romanticism. They will also work on the processes of preparing, evaluating, and delivering multiple forms of written communication.

Available courses

Course categories

Trainings for Educators (14)

Courses for Adult Learners (8)

National Service (3)

English Language Arts (7)

Math (7)

Science (7)

Social Studies (9)