Funded by the Professional Development Support for Nonprofit Adult Literacy Organizations grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, regional symposia provide free professional development for volunteers and staff of nonprofit, community-based organizations.
Your local symposium is an excellent place to learn and network with other literacy providers in your region, and a great source of professional development for volunteer instructors.
Thank you so much for your interest!
This event is now over.
QUICK LINKS FOR THE EAST TEXAS SYMPOSIUM:
Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.
BASIC DETAILS
The 2025 East Texas Literacy Symposium is co-presented by the East Texas Literacy Council and Literacy Texas.
The symposium has the theme “Learn. Adapt. Grow.” and will be held on:
Friday, February 28, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM (CT).
Check-in for registered participants will open at [check-in time].
This symposium is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. See Symposium FAQs for more information.
SYMPOSIUM FAQs
Click on a question to see the answer.
A: Literacy Texas does have an annual conference! It’s held every summer.
Our regional symposia are separate to the conference.
Each symposium:
- Takes place in a different Texas region to help minimize travel
- Has a local focus
- Is free to attend
- Is generally a single day (some symposia are 2 days)
- Includes workshops for both classroom instructors and program administrators
- Is the primary training Literacy Texas offers for literacy volunteers
- Offers 5+ hours of professional development
A: Anyone interested in adult and family literacy in Texas is welcome at the symposium. The people who will gain the most are instructors at community-based adult and family literacy organizations and nonprofits.
Volunteer tutors and teachers are especially welcome!
When we create the symposium program, we use the broadest definition of “literacy”, to include all of Adult Foundational Education: adult basic education, English as an additional language, high school equivalency, digital literacy, and workforce readiness, along with other kinds of teaching and learning.
Two words: LOCAL + FREE!
Each symposium program focuses on the local needs of the region. When you complete our Annual Survey every year, we use the results to invite speakers and presenters on topics you said you particularly wanted and needed.
Furthermore, registration is free. You won’t need a large budget for travel or an overnight stay, in the vast majority of cases. We hope that many folks from the same organization can come to the symposium – there’s no limit on how many people can attend from one place. It’s a lot harder to send lots of people to conferences, since we know costs stack up pretty quickly.
A: The symposium is free to attend. Literacy Texas will cover the costs of your tuition, any meals and snacks offered, materials, and other resources.
Please be aware that in recent years, between 25% and 40% of registrants are no-shows at our training events. Every one of these costs us money (since we’ve already paid for food, materials, and more).
If you’ve registered for a Literacy Texas event but then find you can no longer attend, PLEASE get in touch to cancel your registration.
A: Yes! Literacy Texas offers PD credit in conjunction with TCALL.
Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email in the days following the training.
LOCATION
This symposium will be held at Hilton Garden Inn, Longview: 905 East Hawkins Parkway, Longview, TX 75605
Map and directions are coming soon.
FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION
This session has reached capacity and is no longer accepting new registrations
Registration for this session has now closed
REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM
Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive, please check your junk mail!
Online registration has now closed – but we have a few spots available for last-minute registrants!
Call us on 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.
PD CERTIFICATES
Someone who completes the full session will receive 5 hours of PD credit.
Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email in the days following the training.
Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: CHECK-IN, BREAKFAST
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS
Title of Keynote
Name of speaker, Organization
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 1 (90 min)
Let’s Study! Study Skills for Adult Learners
Ann Beeson, New Readers Press
Overcoming Barriers: Resume Strategies for Adult Learners
Victoria Hinojosa, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
Empowering Literacy Programs With AI
Dr. Irene Ramos, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2 (90 min)
PANEL DISCUSSION: What’s New and What are the Challenges Being Faced in Adult Ed?
Dr. Shalonda Adams, Pine Tree ISD, Kilgore College
Tresha Sawyer, Longview ISD
Dr. Jenny Walker, Literacy Texas
Moderator: Natasha Duncan, East Texas Literacy Council
Real-World Ready: Integrating Workplace Skills into Adult Learning
Dr. Irene Ramos, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
From Classroom to Career: 4 Steps to Career Exploration and Planning
Victoria Hinojosa, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: WORKING LUNCH
“My Story: Adult Literacy Student to Thriving Local Counselor”
Linda Felix, VIVE
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Session 3 (90 min)
English for Employability: Purposeful Learning for Adult Learners
Kenya Preuninger, Pearson Education
Speak Up: Pronunciation Techniques for ESL Learners
Linda LeBlanc, East Texas Literacy Council
Adult Literacy: Effective Teaching Support and Strategies
Charmyn Tumey, Kilgore College
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: FAREWELL & DOOR PRIZES
EXHIBITORS
Cambridge
Community Fuse
East Texas Literacy Council
New Readers Press
Pearson Education
TCALL
DOWNLOADS
Download or print a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending the symposium.
Download a printable copy of the symposium program.
SPECIAL THANKS TO -
The East Texas Literacy Council
The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
The Texas Workforce Commission
STAY IN THE KNOW -
Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:
Checked/updated: 3/18/25
