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 SOUTH PLAINS SYMPOSIUM:
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BASIC DETAILS
The 2025 South Plains Literacy Symposium is co-presented by Literacy Lubbock and Literacy Texas.
The symposium has the theme “Building a Solid Foundation with Literacy” and will be held on:
Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM (CT).
Check-in for pre-registered participants will open at 8:00 AM, with the full program starting promptly at 8:30 AM.
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 the McKenzie Merket Alumni Center, Texas Tech – 2521 17th St, Lubbock, TX 79409.
Venue Floorplan
Space in use during the symposium is marked in gold.
See program below to find which room each session is in.
Plenary sessions (morning welcome and lunch) will be in the PCB Room.
FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION
This session has reached capacity and we are forming a waitlist.
Use the registration button below to add your name to the list.
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.
PROGRAM, SESSIONS, & SPEAKERS
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 FOR PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS
Location: PCB Room
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Session 1 (90 min)
Multi-level Classroom: Best Practices for Teaching Adult Learners – PART 1
NOTE: This is a 2-part session. Attendees at Part 1 are highly encouraged to complete the session by also attending Part 2.
This interactive training focuses on appropriate lesson planning strategies, group strategies, and effective multi-level activities for ESL, ABE and ASE classrooms. Classroom management techniques, test preparation, orientation procedures, and multi-sensory lesson planning will be presented. The session will focus on hands on activities to engage learners in a Multi-level classroom.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): PAL, LIT
Location: PCB Room
Martin Loa, TCALL
Martin Loa is Senior Customer Manager for Burlington English. He has served in that capacity for the past 8 years. He utilizes his 20 plus years of adult education experience to assist programs with implementation of ESL curriculum to better meet the needs of their specific populations. His formal education in curriculum instruction enables him to develop and implement targeted trainings to address best practices.
Martin has served as a consultant delivering evidence-based and research-based training for the state professional development grantee for the last 7 years. His expertise includes ESL, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, ABE, IETs, and Literacy Organization-specific topics. Martin has over 15 years of experience presenting at local, state, and national conferences.
Book & Budget: Financial Book Clubs from Prisons to Classrooms & More
Adult education doesn’t end with getting and keeping a job. Successful workforce transition includes sound financial literacy skills for successful living. Through a FinLit book club, instructors, tutors, and volunteers can co-explore with their learners the adventures of characters like Red & Black while learning do’s and don’t of personal finance.
This session explores financial book clubs using “What I Learned When My Husband Was Fired!” with strategies that can be applied to book clubs and reading circles using various texts. For those who like to perform, role-play opportunities will be available.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): OTHER
Location: Alexander Room
Jacqueline Aguilera, TCALL
Jacqueline “Jackie” Aguilera has logged 38 years of diverse experience across educational and non-profit sectors. With a focus on adult literacy, she has left an indelible mark on various initiatives and projects in the multi-layered field of adult literacy.
As an experienced adult education innovations designer, she earned a 2021 Ford Foundation Mujeres Legendarias Award for creative ed tech applications in adult education. Her service impact also extends beyond the classroom into the workforce. She empowers both employers and employees through worksite literacy training and independent consulting. She leads a local fellowship of adult education providers called the Houston Area Adult Literacy Collective (the incredible HAALC), serves on many committees, boards, and projects impacting adult learners and families, all while serving as Project Manager for Houston’s Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy.
In summary, Jacqueline’s multifaceted career reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing literacy and education across diverse communities and platforms. Currently on a journey through breast cancer treatment, she is more than ever committed to advancing the lives of all those she serves, making her a messenger of inspiration, innovation, and evolution.
Group Chat IRL: Building Student Leaders
Group Chat IRL (In Real Life) sessions bring small groups together for guided conversation, networking, and idea-sharing.
In this session: We often talk about the importance of having “student-centered instruction,” but we sometimes struggle to put that into practice in our learning centers. How do we move students from merely receiving instruction to being active participants in the learning process? How can we capitalize on the strengths of our adult learners to help our programs grow?
In this interactive session, we will talk about the important components required for building student leadership in your organization. Participants will share about their successes with student leadership and walk away with new ideas to take back to their programs.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): OTHER
Location: Pending
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker serves as the Executive Director of Literacy Texas. She was a first-generation college student who personally knows the powerful role that education plays in helping change the course of a person’s life. This passion has fueled a career in education that has spanned over two decades and impacted thousands of students. She earned a doctorate in education leadership and a master’s degree in education administration, both from Texas A&M University–Texarkana. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. Dr. Walker also attended Texarkana College and was a graduate of Liberty-Eylau High School.
She is a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas class and she currently serves as a member of the Digital Opportunity Advisory Group for the Texas Broadband Development Office. In 2024, Dr. Walker represented Texas in COABE’s 2024 State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship.
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2 (90 min)
Multi-level Classroom: Best Practices for Teaching Adult Learners – PART 2
NOTE: This is a 2-part session. Please attend this session if you completed Part 1 in the prior session.
This interactive training focuses on appropriate lesson planning strategies, group strategies, and effective multi-level activities for ESL, ABE and ASE classrooms. Classroom management techniques, test preparation, orientation procedures, and multi-sensory lesson planning will be presented. The session will focus on hands on activities to engage learners in a Multi-level classroom.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): PAL, LIT
Location: PCB Room
Martin Loa, TCALL
Martin Loa is Senior Customer Manager for Burlington English. He has served in that capacity for the past 8 years. He utilizes his 20 plus years of adult education experience to assist programs with implementation of ESL curriculum to better meet the needs of their specific populations. His formal education in curriculum instruction enables him to develop and implement targeted trainings to address best practices.
Martin has served as a consultant delivering evidence-based and research-based training for the state professional development grantee for the last 7 years. His expertise includes ESL, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, ABE, IETs, and Literacy Organization-specific topics. Martin has over 15 years of experience presenting at local, state, and national conferences.
Let’s Build An Employer Relationship
The success of adult education and business is well-documented. Worksite based classes, contextualized curriculum, and internships provide pathways to employment, enriched workforce teams, promotion, and advancement. Join Jacqueline Aguilera as she examines several successful models.
This session will help better acquaint participants with how to identify and approach potential business partners, build on existing successful models to build a case for partnership, and create an employer engagement plan for your classroom.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): OTHER
Location: Alexander Room
Jacqueline Aguilera, TCALL
Jacqueline “Jackie” Aguilera has logged 38 years of diverse experience across educational and non-profit sectors. With a focus on adult literacy, she has left an indelible mark on various initiatives and projects in the multi-layered field of adult literacy.
As an experienced adult education innovations designer, she earned a 2021 Ford Foundation Mujeres Legendarias Award for creative ed tech applications in adult education. Her service impact also extends beyond the classroom into the workforce. She empowers both employers and employees through worksite literacy training and independent consulting. She leads a local fellowship of adult education providers called the Houston Area Adult Literacy Collective (the incredible HAALC), serves on many committees, boards, and projects impacting adult learners and families, all while serving as Project Manager for Houston’s Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy.
In summary, Jacqueline’s multifaceted career reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing literacy and education across diverse communities and platforms. Currently on a journey through breast cancer treatment, she is more than ever committed to advancing the lives of all those she serves, making her a messenger of inspiration, innovation, and evolution.
Beyond the Test: Turning GED Success into Career Readiness with Essential Education
Earning a GED is a major milestone — but it’s only the first step toward long-term success. In this session, we’ll explore how Essential Education’s Workforce Bundle prepares adult learners not only to pass the test, but to transition confidently into the workforce.
Using courses like Computer Essentials, Work Essentials, and Money Essentials, we’ll focus on the three pillars of career readiness: Job Seeking, Job Ready, and Job Keeping. Attendees will discover how to guide students through the full employment journey — from researching careers and writing resumes to mastering soft skills like communication, professionalism, and workplace problem-solving.
Participants will walk away with actionable strategies to blend GED instruction with practical workforce prep, turning academic achievement into real-world opportunity.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): TBD
Location: Breakout Room
Jeannie Hale, Essential Education
Jeannie Hale has over 20 years of experience in Adult Education, spanning classroom instruction to administrative leadership in both public and private sectors. As the former Director of Adult Education at Houston Community College, she managed a $4.2 million grant supporting workforce initiatives. Now, as the Southwest Territory Representative for Essential Education, she partners with programs across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, providing customized implementation strategies to maximize student outcomes. Her deep understanding of program administration, budget alignment, and instructional needs allows her to support educators in achieving measurable success using Essential Education’s innovative resources.
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: WORKING LUNCH
Panel Discussion
This panel will explore the critical connection between workforce preparation and the evolving needs of today’s employers. Panelists from education, industry, and workforce development will discuss strategies for aligning curriculum and training programs with in-demand workplace skills.
Location: PCB Room
Facilitator: Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Panelists
Dr. Kyle Roberson, Texas Tech University
Dr. Kyle Roberson is an assistant professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program at Texas Tech University, with over 24 years of teaching experience. He worked 20 years with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as an educational administrator. Dr. Roberson holds a South Dakota teaching license and has published 16 referred articles, as well as a children’s book. His research interests include inmate programming, family literacy, and family STEM engagement. He is a recipient of the 2024 New Faculty Award and the President’s Emerging Engaged Scholarship award.
Amy Marquez, Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas
Amy is the Director of Communications with Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas. She joined the Goodwill team in 20023 with 15 years of nonprofit experience. Prior to her nonprofit career, Amy worked with special needs children for 11 years. The Goodwill mission is close to her heart, she knows and understands what barriers our special needs community faces every day. She loves living in the Lubbock community with her husband Adam, two children Andrew and Alexis and their two fur-babies Zoey Jane and Bailey Jo!
Ashley Drisko, WIOA Youth for Workforce Solutions
Ashley is the Work Experience Coordinator who assists young people in gaining work experience to kickstart their careers at the Workforce in Lubbock. Having lived in Texas for only a few years, she offers a unique perspective from her home state of Maine. She empowers local youth by visiting schools and delivering presentations on future needs. Additionally, she networks with employers to facilitate connections with prospective employees.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Session 3 (90 min)
Fun and Effective Strategies for the Multi-level ESL Classroom
This workshop focuses on increasing student persistence by reducing the anxiety and stress related to being an adult language learner through fun and effective brain-based strategies and activities.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): PAL, LIT
Location: PCB Room
Martin Loa, TCALL
Martin Loa is Senior Customer Manager for Burlington English. He has served in that capacity for the past 8 years. He utilizes his 20 plus years of adult education experience to assist programs with implementation of ESL curriculum to better meet the needs of their specific populations. His formal education in curriculum instruction enables him to develop and implement targeted trainings to address best practices.
Martin has served as a consultant delivering evidence-based and research-based training for the state professional development grantee for the last 7 years. His expertise includes ESL, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, ABE, IETs, and Literacy Organization-specific topics. Martin has over 15 years of experience presenting at local, state, and national conferences.
The Power of Community
In non-profit organizations, we carry the weight of many heavy challenges facing our student population. Imagine how light our adult literacy load would feel if we were able to spread the weight across many shoulders. Imagine how much more you could do if you had more hands to help.
Participants in this session will learn how to make those visions a reality through community collaboration. We will discuss research-based strategies for engaging with other organizations in your community and working together toward common goals. You will learn how to cast a vision, get people on board, and transform your entire community.
PD Category (assigned by TCALL): OTHER
Location: Alexander Room
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker serves as the Executive Director of Literacy Texas. She was a first-generation college student who personally knows the powerful role that education plays in helping change the course of a person’s life. This passion has fueled a career in education that has spanned over two decades and impacted thousands of students. She earned a doctorate in education leadership and a master’s degree in education administration, both from Texas A&M University–Texarkana. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. Dr. Walker also attended Texarkana College and was a graduate of Liberty-Eylau High School.
She is a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas class and she currently serves as a member of the Digital Opportunity Advisory Group for the Texas Broadband Development Office. In 2024, Dr. Walker represented Texas in COABE’s 2024 State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: FAREWELL & DOOR PRIZES
Location: PCB Room
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 -
Literacy Lubbock
The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
The Texas Workforce Commission
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Checked/updated: 5/22/25
