The Formula to Success!
10:30a-11:45a
Presenter(s)
1:00p-2:15p
Presenter(s):
2:30p-3:45p
9:00a-10:15a
Presenter(s)
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
9:00a-10:15a Opening General Session 10:15a-10:30a Break
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
What, Like It's Hard? Crushing Financial Aid Like Elle Woods Call for Health Supporting Gifted and Talented Education for Migratory Students
Gina Moraida, Educate Texas Elvia Anderson, NCFH Monica Brewer, TEA
11:45a-1:00p Lunch
Session 4
College Assistance Migrant Programs to help your students succeed in College
Jaime Miranda, UTRGV
Leonel Ornelas-Martinez, MSU
Session 5
Session 6
Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program Digital Resources to Support Migratory Parents and Families
Horacio Lopez Montes, TWC
2:15p-2:30p Break
Out of State MEP/Texas LEA MEP Meetings for Interstate Coordination (invitation only)
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Session 8
Rooted in Compassion: A Champion’s Guide to helping Migratory Students Thrive between Moves
Region 1 MEP Team
Session 11
Session 9
Jeremy Poston, ESC-20 Idalia Ibanez, TEA
Session 7
McKinney-Vento and Migrant Education Dual Identification Basics Dr Desiree Viramontes, TEA
Session 10
Accessing and Using the IDRC Student and Family Learning Portal Online ID&R Tools: Just a Click Away
Krystal Seymour, ESC-16
Jessica Castaneda, IDRC
10:15a-10:30a Break
Session 12
Karim Briseno, ESC-1
Session 13
10:30a-11:45a
Presenter(s)
TEA Assessment Resources for MEP Staff
Dr Laquita McMillion, TEA
Rachel Griffin, TEA
Session 14
Implementation of Instructional Material: Making it Work for Your Program TXEL Portal: Supporting Educators and Families of English Learners
Tracie Kalic, iSOSY
11:45a-1:00p Lunch
Session 15
Sharon Santo, ESC-20
Session 16
1:00p-2:15p
Presenter(s)
The AIIMS Portal: Your "Guidebook" for Implementing the MEP in Texas
Sherri Nunnely, ESC-20
Idalia Ibanez, TEA
Your Adult Education Partner: Stabilizing and Strengthening Families through Education and Training+ State Graduation Requirements and Individual Graduation Committees
Jessica Snyder, TEA
Veronica Moore, TWC
2:15p-2:30p Break
2:30p-3:30p Closing General Session/Keynote Speaker: Dr. Juan Gallardo
Ashley Hermes, TEA
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
9:00a-10:15a Opening General Session
Welcome: Wendy Fort, TMIP Project Manager
Conference Greeting: Didi Garcia, TEA, Title I, Part C MEP Director
Your TMIP! Announcements
10:15a-10:30a Break
10:30a-11:45a Concurrent Sessions
11:45a-1:00p Lunch
1:00p-2:15p Concurrent Sessions
2:15p-2:30p Break
2:30p-3:45p Concurrent Sessions
Thursday, February 27, 2025
9:00a-10:15a Concurrent Sessions
10:15a-10:30a Break
10:30a-11:45a Concurrent Sessions
11:45a-1:00p Lunch
1:00p-2:15p Concurrent Sessions
2:15p-2:30p Break
2:30p-3:30p Closing General Session
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Juan Gallardo
Closing Remarks: Idalia Ibanez, TEA MEP Program Director
Final Announcements: Wendy Fort, TMIP Project Manager
February 26, 2025
Concurrent Sessions
10:30a-11:45a
Session 1: What, Like It's Hard? Crushing Financial Aid Like Elle Woods
Presenter: Gina Moraida, Associate, RGV Focus/Educate Texas
Unravel the complexities of financial aid in this engaging and empowering session Designed for school district leaders, administrators, counselors, educators, industry partners, higher education personnel, and parents, this session provides a clear overview of the financial aid process and equips participants with the knowledge to guide students toward success.
Session 2: Call for Health
Presenter: Elvia Anderson, Manager of Information and Referral Services, National Center for Farmworker Health
Call for Health assists farmworkers and their families to find health services in their area in the United States
This program provides:
-Connection to health services, including COVID-19 tests and vaccination
-Limited financial assistance to farmworkers and their families for medical services
-Navigating community resources
-Interpretation services for farmworkers and their families, health providers, and to organizations that serve farmworkers
Session 3: Supporting Gifted and Talented Education for Migratory Students
Presenter: Monica Brewer, Gifted/Talented Education Statewide Coordinator, Texas Education Agency
This session aims to address the unique needs and challenges faced by migratory eligible students in accessing gifted and talented (GT) education programs Participants will gain insights into identifying and nurturing the potential of GT students within the migratory community, ensuring equitable access to advanced educational opportunities.
February 26, 2025 Concurrent Sessions
1:00p-2:15p
Session 4: College Assistance Migrant Programs to help your students succeed in college
Presenters: Jaime Miranda, Director, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley CAMP
Leonel Ornelas-Martinez, Recruitment Coordinator, Michigan State University CAMP
The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), is a federal discretionary competitive grant program funded by the Office of Migrant Education - Department of Education, which offers services to migrant and seasonal farm worker students throughout the nation at numerous institutions of Higher Education. CAMP offers students monetary stipends and support services during their first year of college. Through intensive services such as individual career advisement, coaching, peer mentoring, monthly student stipends, and internships, CAMP students complete their first year in college with higher college credits and higher grade point averages than other students Come meet staff from CAMPs across Texas and Michigan to learn how to connect your students to these services
Session 5: Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program
Presenter: Horacio Lopez Montes, State Monitor Advocate, Texas Workforce Commission
Basic information on the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program under the Wagner-Peyser Act and the services available to migratory and seasonal farmworkers in TWC's workforce solution offices across Texas as well as in other states where farmworkers and their families travel.
Session 6: Digital Resources to Support Migratory Parents and Families
Presenters: Jeremy Poston, Specialist, ESC-20
Idalia Ibanez, MEP Director, Texas Education Agency
Migratory parents are always looking for resources to help support their children’s education. This session will provide an overview of the following digital resources available to support migratory parents and families:
-Texas Migrant Education Program (TMEP) / AIIMS Portal – This includes online resources specifically for parents and families
-Education Resources for Parents of K-12 Migratory Children – This includes literacy resources for home use.
Use your device! Participants will have time to explore resources available at the portals. Participants will also be encouraged to bookmark sites, create an account for the Education Resources portal, and join the listserv to stay up-to-date on new content and developments
February 26, 2025
Concurrent Sessions
2:30p-3:45p
Interstate Coordination Meetings
Presenters: Minnesota MEP Wisconsin MEP
Representatives from the Minnesota MEP and the Wisconsin MEP will meet with invited Texas school district MEP staff to discuss best practices for coodinating services for their shared migratory students (Invitation only )
Session 7: McKinney-Vento and Migrant Education Dual Identification Basics
Presenter: Dr. Desiree Viramontes, McKinney-Vento State Coordinator, Texas Education Agency
Are you new to working with students and families experiencing homelessness while also being part of the MEP? Has it been a while since you had McKinney-Vento training? McKinney-Vento and Title I, Part C Dual Identification Basics will provide you with the key components of the McKinney-Vento law in connection with migratory eligible students. We will review the roles and responsibilities of LEAs and McKinney-Vento liaisons to support students experiencing homelessness We will address the key components of identification, enrollment, dual identification and access Finally, we will provide practical guidance which you can implement to serve dual-identified students
February 27, 2025
Concurrent Sessions
9:00a-10:15a
Session 8: Rooted in Compassion: A Champion’s Guide to helping Migratory Students Thrive between Moves.
Presenters: Region 1 MEP Team
“Rooted in Compassion: A Champion’s Guide to Helping Migratory Students Thrive Between Moves" highlights the critical role of empathy, support, and understanding in aiding students who frequently relocate due to migration As migratory students often face disrupted education, cultural disconnection, and emotional strain, this guide emphasizes the need for a compassionate approach that nurtures their well-being while fostering academic growth. The guide encourages educators, communities, and caregivers to recognize the unique challenges migratory students face, as they adjust to different education systems. “Rooted in Compassion” offers practical strategies to create an environment that fosters communication and collaboration Resources such as email correspondence, parent letters, and entry/withdrawal procedure forms provide insight to developing smooth transitions. Ultimately, the guide presents a holistic approach to supporting migratory students, focusing on compassion as a key tool for empowerment. By fostering a sense of belonging and offering targeted support, educators and advocates can help students navigate the challenges of migration and unlock their full potential, despite the barriers they face between moves
Session 9: Accessing and Using the IDRC Student and Family Learning Portal
Presenter: Jessica Castaneda, Project Coordinator, IDRC
IDRC has a free learning portal ready to be put into the hands of migratory students, parents and MEP recruiters and instructors We have resources for everyone This includes resources from Pre-K to K-12 as well as OSY and parents We also have a section of traceable free learning resources for tutors and instructors to use. Most of the sites linked in the portal are game based and filled with activities students would enjoy learning. Learn how to access and use this resource with your students and their families.
Session 10: Online ID&R Tools: Just a Click Away
Presenters: Krystal Seymour, Coordinator, School Safety and Migrant, ESC-16
Karim Briseno, State Program Systems Initiative Lead, ESC-1
Have you ever wished you had all the agricultural information in your area available at your fingertips? Now you can! Join us as we highlight two IDRC resources--Ag Portal and Power BI Tool. These are guaranteed to make your life as a recruiter easier and even help you assist families who may be looking for work Come see how to harness the power of these online resources
February 27, 2025
Concurrent Sessions
10:30a-11:45a
Session 11: TEA Assessment Resources for MEP Staff
Presenters: Dr Laquita McMillion, Training Coordinator, Texas Education Agency
Rachel Griffin, STAAR Test Administration Manager, Texas Education Agency
We will provide an overview of the STAAR assessment program, including resources related to key components of the STAAR program that are available for test administrators, staff and families
Session 12: Implementation of Instructional Material: Making it Work for Your Program
Presenter: Tracie Kalic, Director, iSOSY
The Out-of-School Youth Consortium has produced hundreds of instructional materials over the course of its lifetime, with more being designed all the time How do you navigate all the choices and utilize the resources to maximize their assistance in helping the students in your state succeed? iSOSY has created a user-friendly, efficient website to put all of the materials at your fingertips The updated OSY Student Profile helps you start identifying your students' needs and the materials appropriate based upon reported needs. Learn more about the iSOSY Provider Portal, the latest instructional resources, and professional learning can help you and your students reach success!
Session 13: TXEL Portal: Supporting Educators and Families of English Learners
Presenter: Sharon Santo, Project Manager, ESC-20
As many of our migratory students are also classified as English learners, it is important to address not only their linguistic needs, but the needs of the education leaders and teachers serving them and the needs of their parents and families The TXEL Portal is a foundational source of information and guidance regarding:
-Supports of implementing and maintaining bilingual and ESL programs
-A step-by-step guide to effective engagement activities and reaching more parents
-Resources to share with parents and families
-Training opportunities and helpful resources for administrators to use to support Title III Initiatives And much more!
Join us as we dive into the TXEL Portal to see what is available and how it can best support you
February 27, 2025
Concurrent Sessions
1:00p-2:15p
Session 14: The AIIMS Portal: Your "Guidebook" for Implementing the MEP in Texas
Presenters: Sherri Nunnely, Project Manager, MEP Capacity Building & Curriculum Initiative
Idalia Ibanez, MEP Director, Texas Education Agency
The AIIMS portal is an interactive online resource that provides specific information and standardized operating procedures for all LEAs and ESCs in Texas to effectively implement their Migrant Education Program The goal of using the AIIMS portal is to help ensure all students enrolled in the Texas MEP have consistent support and educational continuity Join us for an overview of the portal and how it can be utilized to support migratory families and staff. Bring your device! Participants will have time to explore sections, preview upcoming changes, and contribute to meaningful improvements to the overall layout of the portal.
Session 15: Your Adult Education Partner: Stabilizing and Strengthening Families through Education and Training+
Presenter: Veronica Moore, Adult Education and Literacy State Program Specialist, TWC
Hear from the Texas Workforce Commission about Adult Education and Literacy grants in communities across the state with a mission to improve the basic skills of Texans and the workforce The specialized funding for “Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE)” will be reviewed and the resources available to address the needs of English Language Learners and those without a high school diploma. Learn more about the work being done across Texas to assist individuals with the basic skills needed to join the workforce, enter postsecondary education and integrate in their local communities. How to find an AEL provider will be reviewed along with what career pathway opportunities are available to assist those in need of ESL and job training
Session 16: State Graduation Requirements and Individual Graduation Committees
Presenters: Jessica Snyder, Senior Division Director, Curriculum Standards & Student Support, Texas Education Agency
Ashley Hermes, Lead Curriculum Specialist, Texas Education Agency
Staff from the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division at TEA will share the latest information regarding state graduation requirements and individual graduation committees (IGCs), including recent actions taken by the State Board of Education and updated IGC resources and guidance.
+Information in this session is Texas specific.
Closing General Session
Keynote Speaker
February 27, 2025
2:30p-3:30p
Dr. Juan E. Gallardo serves as instructor of finance and Director of the Texan Smart Financial Education Center at Tarleton State University. He is a beneficiary of the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). He received a GED in 2008 and later enrolled in West Texas A&M University, a proud member of the Texas A&M System. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 2012 and a master’s degree in business administration and management in 2014, both from West Texas A&M University He also holds a PhD in personal financial planning from Kansas State University.
Dr. Gallardo is a first-generation college student and an advocate for education amongst underrepresented populations When he is not attending to his academic and professional duties, Juan loves to spend time with his family.
Thank you for attending TMIP’s Conference, MSI2C2: The Formula to Success! Please complete the Overall Conference Evaluation to receive your certificate.
