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2023 South Texas Literacy Symposium
February 25 @ 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thank you so much for coming! This event is now over.
The 2023 South Texas Literacy Symposium is co-presented by the South Texas Literacy Coalition and Literacy Texas.
The symposium will be held on
Saturday, February 25, 8:45 am to 4:00 pm
on the UTRGV Campus, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg TX 78539.
The symposium is part of the annual UTRGV Festiba celebration and has the theme “Transforming our world through arts and literacy.”
Check-in for registered participants will open at 8:00 am and both breakfast and a working lunch will be provided.
This symposium is offered free of charge to educators, volunteer tutors, ESL teachers, and other library and nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy.
See the schedule outline below; find detailed descriptions of the workshops here.
Schedule
SYMPOSIUM OPENS: 8:00 am – 8:45 am
Check-in, breakfast, visit exhibitor and author tables
Greetings, welcome, and introductions: 8:45 am – 9:30 am
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, Founder/Director of FESTIBA, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Dr. Jeffrey Ward, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Kendra de la Garza, President, South Texas Literacy Coalition
Steve Banta, Executive Director, Literacy Texas
Panel Discussion: 9:30 am – 10:15 am (45 min)
Connecting the Dots in Adult Literacy: The Role of Authors and Teachers of Literacy and the Arts
Guiding Question: How do we help communities understand that literacy and the arts have a major impact on life-long learning and on the future progress of every citizen.
Panelists: Katelyn Renteria, Moderator & Panelist, Local Author
Dr. Jeffrey Ward, Dean, College of Fine Arts
Daniel García Ordaz, TEDx Speaker and 2023 McAllen Poet Laureate
Letty Leija, Director, Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library
Concurrent Session 1: 10:30 am – 11:30 am (60 min)
Online & Mobile Learning: Creating Classroom Publications Using Common Apps & Sites
Grant Writing – You’ve Got This!
Family Literacy Activates: Promoting School Success
BREAK: 11:30am – 12:00 pm
Visit exhibitor and author tables
WORKING LUNCH & NETWORKING SESSIONS: 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm (Ballroom)
Networking – “Trending Issues in Literacy”
Concurrent Session 2: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (60 min)
Cultural Competence, Challenges, and Social Support Factors Linked to Poor Literacy in the RGV
Getting Your Volunteers Started to Meet Your Program Goals
Career Planning for Youth: Consider Where the Jobs Are
Concurrent Session 3: 2:40 pm – 3:40 pm (60 min)
Connecting the Dots: Using Creative Writing to Teach Literacy Skills
Motivating and Recognizing Volunteers
Families Rock Together: Engaging in Your Child’s Academic Achievement Without a Helicopter!
SYMPOSIUM CLOSES: 3:40pm – 4:00 pm
Evaluation, wrap-up, door prizes (must be present to win!)
FAREWELL
Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates
PD Certificates
Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event.
Complete the survey we send you via email after the symposium is finished to give your details and get your certificate.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: Directions & Parking
Click here for maps, directions, and parking information
Downloads:
Download a PDF copy of the 2023 program
Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending
Special thanks to:
South Texas Literacy Coalition
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, College of Fine Arts
The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
The Texas Workforce Commission
Read more about the annual regional literacy symposia here.
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