Learn from peers about best practices and innovative ideas being put into action at literacy programs across our great state. Best of Texas brings together local experts to share their wisdom and experience – and maybe help us all avoid a few pitfalls along the way.

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Basic details

About this month’s topic

Program, Schedule, & Sessions

Online registration

PD Certificates

Special thanks

BASIC DETAILS

This special extended online session will be held on:

Thursday, April 24, from 8:45 AM to 12:15 PM (CT).

The Zoom room will open at 8:30 AM.

Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins.

This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy.

ABOUT THIS MONTH'S TOPIC

This session will focus on faith-affiliated adult literacy programs. This is such a high-interest topic that we have dedicated a morning to it, in place of the standard 1-hour format for Best of Texas sessions.

NOTE: This morning of learning will run along the same lines as the Faith-Affiliated Symposium did in the past – this session replaces that learning opportunity in the 2025 training calendar.

Many people are motivated by their faith to help their communities, and for some, that leads them to sit alongside other adults and help them improve their literacy. This online session will focus on some best practices for teachers and others who work within faith-affiliated literacy programs.

Participants of all faiths, and none, are welcome at this event.

PROGRAM, SCHEDULE, & SESSIONS

8:30 AM: ONLINE CHECK-IN OPENS

8:45 AM: WELCOME

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Session 1 (60 min)

Family Literacy – Getting Children Ready for School
Karen Morrow, Retired

Do you have an ESL program serving parents with preschool-age children who need help preparing for school?

Ready for School! is a 20-week curriculum that equips parents with tools and resources to help their children develop key school readiness skills. Through weekly activities, families receive books and materials to practice at home, focusing on reading, language, motor skills, and social development, while fostering a love for learning in young children.

Ready for School could be adapted to your ESL ministry to help parents prepare their children for school!

Karen Morrow
Retired

Karen Morrow is a recently retired Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionary based in Fort Worth, Texas, dedicated to serving refugee communities. She has been working with refugees since 1996, initially in Germany and later in the U.S.

Karen is known for her compassionate outreach to refugee children, particularly through her “Ready for School” program, which helps prepare young children for school while engaging their parents in the learning process.

Tutoring & Conversation Partners – Best Practices
Dr. Cynthia Kilpatrick, Stephen F. Austin State University

This session will provide best practices for leading a successful conversation partners program in a college or university setting, as well as effective one-on-one tutoring strategies for ESL students.

Participants will explore research-based methods to foster meaningful conversations, support language development, and build cross-cultural connections.

Dr. Cynthia Kilpatrick
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Kilpatrick is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she leads initiatives to enhance faculty development and student learning. Previously, she spent 15 years as a faculty member in the Department of Linguistics and TESOL at UT Arlington, serving as Director of the English Language Institute and contributing to teaching excellence initiatives.

With extensive experience in ESL education, she has taught in Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, and various U.S. cities, and has been a TEX trainer with Literacy ConneXus since 2015.

10:05 AM – 11:05 AM: Session 2 (60 min)

Overview of Teaching English ConneXus (TECs)
Matthew Johnston, Literacy ConneXus

Details pending.

Matthew Johnston
ESL Support Coordinator and TECs Trainer
Literacy ConneXus

Matthew Johnston is an experienced instructional specialist and ESL educator based in Dallas, Texas. Currently, he serves as an ESL and Outreach Catalyst with Forefront Experience, an ESL teacher at the Northwest Community Center in Dallas, and an ESL Support Coordinator and TECs trainer with Literacy ConneXus.

Matthew has a strong background in curriculum development, teaching diverse students, and fostering cross-cultural learning.

Best Practices: Directing Faith-Affiliated ESL Programs with Strong Community Partnerships
Kathleen Yarborough, CityRise Church

This session will explore effective strategies for leading faith-affiliated ESL programs and building strong community partnerships.

Participants will learn best practices for program organization, volunteer recruitment and training, curriculum selection, and creating a welcoming, excellent learning environment.

Kathleen Yarborough
Director of Community Ministries
CityRise Church

Kathleen Yarborough is the Director of Community Ministries at CityRise Church in Houston, Texas, where she leads outreach initiatives, including free ESL classes and partnerships that provide food and medical assistance to those in need.

An experienced ESL teacher, she has dedicated years to serving English learners and equipping volunteers to teach and serve effectively. She is also a TECs trainer with Literacy ConneXus, helping faith-based programs develop strong ESL ministries.

11:10 AM – 12:10 PM: Session 3 (60 min)

Immigration Update: Current Policies and How They Affect Communities of Faith
Jesus Romero, Educational and Legal Immigration Ministries (ELIM)

This session offers critical updates on immigration laws and policies. Learn how recent changes impact immigrant students and their families, and gain practical tools to support your learners in navigating these challenges.

This session will equip you to enhance your ESL programs with the knowledge, resources, or referrals needed to better serve immigrant families in your care.

Dr. Jesús Romero
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Educational and Legal Immigration Ministries (ELIM)

Dr. Jesús Romero is the director of Educational and Legal Immigration Ministries (ELIM), a ministry of Fellowship Southwest designed to support immigrants and refugees through education, legal assistance, and advocacy. With a passion for both social justice and ministry, Romero leads efforts to equip churches and community leaders with tools to navigate complex immigration laws.

His work emphasizes the importance of offering compassionate care to immigrant families and advocating for their rights. Under his leadership, ELIM has provided valuable resources, such as training programs for immigration legal representation, and continues to build partnerships to support immigrants in their pursuit of justice and stability in the U.S.

12:15 PM: FAREWELL

Program will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates

Hosts:

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
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 Office. In 2024, Dr. Walker represented Texas in COABE’s 2024 State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship.

Lester Meriwether
Executive Director
Literacy ConneXus

Lester Meriwether has been the Executive Director of Literacy ConneXus since May 2004. Literacy ConneXus is a not-for-profit organization that helps faith-affiliated organizations help people with literacy needs in Texas and beyond.

In this capacity, Meriwether represents and advocates for hundreds of volunteers who each week teach English and basic literacy or conspire to provide beginning home libraries for families with no books. He works with talented volunteers across Texas who serve in a variety of ways to help churches help people with literacy needs.

Lester and his wife Donna have three children and five grandchildren and live in Fort Worth.

FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION

REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM

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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 3 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.