FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington will hold a panel discussion with area teachers on Friday, Oct. 17, to help UMF students, educators and members of the public learn practical ways to meet the needs of English language learners.

The UMF Teaching and Working in a Diverse World event takes place at 12:30 p.m. in the North Dining Hall in the UMF Olsen Student Center. It is free and open to the public.

The discussion is titled “Working with Maine’s English Language Learners — What I Know and What I Wish I Had Known.”

The event brings together teachers currently working in Lewiston and Auburn classrooms to discuss their experiences working with English language learners and share their insights and some practical tips, according to a UMF release.

Among the topics they plan to explore are the changing nature of Maine’s classrooms and what kind of training best prepares educators to be successful with English language learners’ needs. The discussion will be followed by breakout sessions for participants to learn about specific grade-level strategies.

Panel members include Brenda Theriault, Headstart; Tiffany Demarest, Lewiston Montello Elementary School, Lewiston; Becky Skilling, Park Avenue Elementary School, Auburn; Amy Favreau, Longley Elementary School, Lewiston; Diana Carson, Auburn Middle School; Erik Anderson, Lewiston Middle School; Jill Highland, Edward Little High School; Amanda Martemucci, Edward Little High School; James Koch, Lewiston High School; and Hilary Barber, ELL director for Lewiston schools.

This UMF diversity event is sponsored by the Office of the Associate Provost and Dean of Education.

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