This workshop equips teachers with practical strategies for differentiating instruction and designing purposeful group work that supports all learners. Grounded in ACTFL proficiency guidelines, this session emphasizes student-centered learning and engagement. Participants will explore how to differentiate by proficiency level, learning needs, and instructional mode (interpretive, interpersonal, presentational) while maintaining high expectations for all students.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Wafa Hassan

Dr. Hassan is the Director of the Arabic Department and Culture at Global Educational Excellence (GEE), overseeing Arabic programs in 15 schools in Michigan, USA. Dr. Hassan is the director for Michigan Arabic Teachers’ Council with extensive national and international experience in training teachers of Arabic as a foreign language, Dr. Hassan played a leading role in curriculum development and general teacher-professional development. She is the co-author of a standards-based high school Arabic textbook series (Arabic 1, Arabic 2, and the accompanying Teacher’s Guide), and the author of Inclusion of ELL with Special Needs in General Education. Dr, Hassan published several research papers on language education.

Her research focuses on professional development for educators, effective pedagogical practices, heritage language learners, language assessment, and second language acquisition. Dr. Hassan also served a two-year term as President of the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages (NCOLCTL), contributing significantly to the advancement of language education.

Since the early stages of the SALaMA initiative, Dr. Hassan has been instrumental in leading the partnership with GEE. Her efforts have included the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection, the rollout of Forward with Peers and PhotoVoice programming, and the dissemination of key findings through co-authored publications, gallery exhibits, and national conference presentations.

1st VIRTUAL WORKSHOP 2025

Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Effective Differentiated Assessment

February 23, 2025

Presenters: Iman Hashem, Lina kholaki, and Maria Kouli

Every student learns differently—so why assess them the same way? Differentiated assessment tailors evaluation methods to students’ diverse needs, proficiency levels, strengths, and learning styles. Discover how to design assessments that cater to diverse learning styles and needs, ensuring a more accurate measure of growth.

2nd VIRTUAL WORKSHOP 2025

assessment for learning: fostering student growth mindset

March 16, 2025

Presenters: Manar Mayala and Nada Shaath

In this workshop, we'll learn how AI can support you in the design of units, lessons, activities and assessments that build and demonstrate Global Competencies. During this program we will review key understandings around what AI is, what it does well, and the challenges AI might present. That foundation will support us as we review how to intentionally select and leverage AI tools for the various components of the teaching and learning cycle. We will also touch on tools students can use safely and other ways to support students to develop the new skills they will need in an AI-integrated world. 

Presenters: SCATC Executive Team

In this session, you will have the chance to exchange and Learn activities and ideas to enhance Students’ learnings.

Guest Speaker: Manar Tarzi

This interactive end-of-year workshop invites Arabic language teachers to pause and reflect through structured self-assessment. We’ll explore what worked, what didn’t, and how to grow from the year’s experience. Through guided reflection, goal setting, and discussion, participants will rethink their teaching practices, explore helpful tools, and use student assessment data to plan with purpose for the year ahead.