Anne Marie Paone DelPrincipe

Worcester Educational Development Foundation has opened applications for its Spring 2026 Mini-Grant Program. Eligible Worcester Public Schools educators may apply for grants of up to $500 to support classroom-based projects aligned with WEDF focus areas.https://zurl.co/mWhuC

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I highly recommend these great programs. If you want to develop your career by being a leader in organization or if you are a new Director (Assistant Director or District Consultant) in a Pennsylvania Library the Director's Institute is for you!

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Navigating resource challenges in modern libraries requires innovative solutions. Explore how comprehensive LWW journal collections on Ovid® empower medical and academic librarians to meet evolving information needs, streamline access, and boost institutional value: https://lnkd.in/d396MCz6 #LibraryInnovation #MedLibs #MedicalResearch

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CT’s latest employment data is a reminder that workforce trends rarely move in straight lines. While the state continues to show areas of economic strength, December’s numbers reflect the same uncertainty many employers are navigating heading into 2026. As Patrick Flaherty recently noted, “Connecticut’s economy has shown resilience through some ups and downs this year [2025].” That balance between resilience and caution is familiar to *HR* and business leaders making talent decisions right now. https://lnkd.in/ee2qQf5f Patrick will be joining Human Resource Association of Central CT (HRACC) & SMASNE in-person on February 24th to share his perspective on CT’s labor market and what employers should be watching in the months ahead. Conversations like these matter as organizations plan for hiring, retention, and workforce sustainability in a changing environment. Details below ⬇️

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🚨 EFA Applications Open March 16 with New ScholaVia Application System 🚨 For the first time, families will apply through ScholaVia, a newly developed online application system designed to make the process faster and more responsive for New Hampshire families while providing immediate feedback throughout the application process. ScholaVia includes several new features: ✔ Real-time document review using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology ✔ Instant feedback indicating whether submitted documents meet program requirements ✔ The ability to see your place in line and estimated grant award once your application is verified ✔ Live chat support with CSF staff during office hours The name ScholaVia reflects the mission behind the program. In Latin, schola means “school” and via means “path” or “way,” representing the idea of helping families find their own educational path. 📅 Applications open March 16 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/drc2jEPZ #EducationFreedom #NH #SchoolChoice #NHPolitics #ScholaVia

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Why Jane Vella Is So Relevant in the Age of AI When I was teaching as an adjunct professor on the Paterson campus of Passaic County Community College, I had the privilege of working with a student body that was brilliant, resilient, and navigating real-world challenges. I wanted to do more than just teach—I wanted to connect. That’s when I found Jane Vella. Her work, Dialogue Education™, gave me a structure for what I instinctively felt: Learning is not a performance. It’s not one-way. It’s not control. 👉 It’s a conversation built on dignity, respect, and relevance. Why Jane Vella Still Matters Jane Vella has spent decades helping educators design learning rooted in mutual respect. Across classrooms, refugee programs, and corporate settings, she showed us that transformation doesn’t come from better slides or louder lectures. It comes from how we relate to the learner. Her core principles remain powerful: -- Respect: Every learner brings value -- Relevance: Content must connect to real life -- Safety: Emotional security drives engagement -- Voice: Learning happens through shared ownership -- Accountability: We’re not just delivering content—we’re enabling change A Human-Centered Framework In the rush toward scalable training and AI-powered content generation, Vella’s work stands out. She reminds us that: Even when the medium is artificial, the meaning must be human. Her method doesn’t resist technology—it transcends it. Dialogue Education isn’t about speed or automation. It’s about trust, curiosity, and presence—things we can and must design for, even in digital or AI-augmented experiences. In many ways, Jane Vella’s legacy may be more important now than ever. A Personal Impact Vella helped me create learning environments where students felt seen, not sorted. Where learning wasn’t something I did to them—but something we built together. And that’s a principle I carry with me, even now, as we navigate a rapidly changing future. Are you using dialogue in your learning designs? Do you think emotional connection still matters in the age of AI? I’d love to hear what you’re doing to keep learning human. Next: Paulo Freire Jane Vella credited Paulo Freire as one of her greatest influences. In the next edition, we’ll look at how Freire’s work turned education into a tool for liberation—and why it still echoes in every effort to build equitable learning. 📘 Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach – Jane Vella 📎 Dialogue Education™ 🟡 About Advanced Learning Strategies We help learning professionals design smarter, more scalable training grounded in what actually works. 🛠️ Researched with admiration using trusted sources, AI tools, and lived experience. If I’ve gotten something wrong—I’d love to learn more. #ThehumansideoflearningAI (view full series) #TheHumanSideOfLearning #JaneVella #DialogueEducation #LND #AIandLearning #AdultLearning #LearningDesign #HumanCenteredLearning

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Protecting Our Wildlife: Insights from Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society In our latest video, Don Torino, president of the Bergen County Audubon Society, dives into the critical role that nature and wildlife enthusiasts play in conservation efforts. He highlights the importance of utilizing the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) endangered wildlife species tracker, a valuable resource available on their website and app. The Bergen County Audubon Society is deeply committed to preserving the fragile ecosystems of Bergen County and beyond. With numerous endangered and threatened species, including bald eagles, monarch butterflies, and eastern box turtles, our collective efforts as citizen scientists are essential. By reporting sightings and engaging with this tracker, we can contribute to the safety and security of these species. Join us in our mission to protect our wildlife and habitats. Learn more about how you can get involved by visiting the NJDEP website: [NJDEP Endangered Wildlife Species Tracker](https://lnkd.in/e_88CA8h). Shareable YouTube Link https://lnkd.in/ecnS-tZs #BergenCountyAudubonSociety #DonTorino #WildlifeConservation #EndangeredSpecies #CitizenScience #NJDEP #BaldEagles #MonarchButterflies #EasternBoxTurtles #ProtectWildlife #NatureLovers #EcosystemPreservation NJ Department of Environmental Protection U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Fish and Wildlife Foundation The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey American Bird Conservancy American Birding Association National Audubon Society Audubon International TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY Houston Audubon Wildlife Conservation Society Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey National Wildlife Federation Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc

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CMDI and Nassau BOCES are collaborating to present "Specially Designed Instruction: Putting the "Special" Back in Special Education." This engaging presentation explores what specially designed instruction is and teaches participants how to provide the unique types of instructional services needed by students with disabilities. Presenters will share effective strategies for implementing accommodations and altering, modifying, and/or adapting instructional methods materials, techniques, and learning environments for supporting students with diverse learning abilities and needs. WHEN: January 8th, 9 AM to 3 PM WHERE: One Merrick Avenue, Westbury, NY COST: $200 subscribers/ $240 non-subscribers

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On June 30th, 2025, the Massachusetts state legislature overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget bill, which includes a provision to establish the Massachusetts Secure Choice program. All that is needed now is the Governor's signature. This program will require employers with 25 or more employees, who do not currently offer a retirement plan, to either provide a plan or automatically enroll eligible employees into a state-run auto IRA. The current default contribution rate for those who do not opt out will be 6% of their pay, with an annual escalation of 1%, up to a maximum of 10% of their wages. Employees will be able to choose from a range of investment options; those who do not make a selection will have their contributions automatically directed into a qualified default investment alternative chosen by the program. Once signed into law, there may be amendments that alter certain parameters, so stay tuned for updates! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

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