The Acentos Workshops: A Three-Part Series for TK-12th Grade

About the Event

Please join us for a three-part workshop presented and facilitated by Dr. Kimberley Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy brings over two decades of expertise as an award-winning Dual Language Bilingual Education (DLBE) educator, with experience spanning from PK-12 to university levels. Specializing in DLBE, special education, literacy, and curriculum development, she is dedicated to serving emergent multilingual students and families who have been historically and politically marginalized. Drawing from her diverse background as a classroom teacher, tenured university professor, educational researcher, and instructional coach, she has consulted with districts nationwide, authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications (including contributions to the Journal of Latinos in Education and Bilingual Research Journal), and presented at prestigious national and international conferences. Parts I & II: The Acentos Workshop: Spanish Accent Marks Made Easy Dual language bilingual education (DLBE) and Spanish-language educators find The Acentos Workshop to be an invaluable resource due to its accessible design, enlightening moments, and direct applicability in the classroom for Spanish-language oracy, phonological awareness, phonics, metalinguistic awareness, and writing. Throughout this foundational workshop, we delve deeply into the nuances of Spanish-language mechanics (both oral and written), providing educators with a toolkit for effective classroom implementation for the accentuation of multisyllabic words. This comprehensive workshop includes five main components: (1) Syllabic Awareness: Establishing the Foundation; (2) Accenting Multisyllabic Words: Mastering Natural Pronunciation Patterns Using a Simple Flowchart; (3) What is a “sobreesdrújula” anyway? Simplifying Spanish-Word Classifications; (4) Vocales vecinas (Adjacent Vowels): ¿Qué hacemos con las vocales vecinas?; and (5) Pesky Exceptions: Addressing Accent-Mark Irregularities. Part III: Rompiendo fronteras lingüísticas: Comparación de la lectoescritura en español e inglés This dynamic three-hour professional development session focuses on Spanish literacy, with insights into English literacy for comparison. Topics will include best practices in Spanish literacy instruction, comparisons of Spanish and English literacy, and strategies for cross-linguistic instruction. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable strategies and resources to enhance Spanish (and English) literacy instruction, promoting improved student outcomes in dual immersion classrooms Language of Delivery: Primarily Spanish All dates will be held virtually via Zoom: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Friday, October 17, 2025 For more information, please contact: Administrator, Victor Portillo | vportillo@rcoe.us Administrator's Secretary, Jimmy Gomez | jmgomez@rcoe.us