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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260811T100000
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DTSTAMP:20260626T162510
CREATED:20260626T103414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T103904Z
UID:7554-1786442400-1786446000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Pop-Up: Future Focus
DESCRIPTION: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.  Read more about the Best of Texas monthly online series. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Thank you so much for your interest! This event is now over. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					QUICK LINKS FOR THIS BEST OF TEXAS EVENT:				\n				\n				\n				\n									Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section\, or simply scroll down the page. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Basic details								\n				\n				\n				\n									About this month’s topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Our guest this month								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Special thanks								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					BASIC DETAILS				\n				\n				\n				\n									This online session will be held on: 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Thursday\, March 12\, 2026\, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									The Zoom room will open to registered attendees at 9:50 AM. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					ABOUT THIS MONTH'S TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Whether we call them soft skills\, power skills\, or durability skills\, one fact is clear: employers need them. Communication\, teamwork\, adaptability\, and problem-solving are essential across industries — yet the skills required in banking differ from those needed on a construction site. This spotlight will explore how Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) programs in Texas can partner with employers to define\, teach\, and validate durability skills that are both industry-specific and learner-centered. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Primary Topic Area				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n					Session will also cover:				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Audience				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n					Level				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Texas AEL PD Category				\n				\n				\n				\n									Assigned by TCALL 								\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n									Read more about the PD categories on the TCALL website. See the full Texas AEL Guide. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Other info:				\n				\n				\n				\n									No other info available at this time. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					GUEST THIS MONTH				\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									NameTitleXY 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Info Info 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dr. Maria Franco CortesSenior Planner for Board Relations and Government AffairsGulf Coast Workforce Board 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Dr. Maria Franco Cortes is the Senior Planner for Board Affairs and Government Relations at the Gulf Coast Workforce Board\, bringing more than eight years of experience across financial services\, nonprofit leadership\, marketing\, local government\, and public administration. Her work focuses on aligning education\, workforce systems\, and employer needs to support sustainable economic mobility. Throughout her career\, Dr. Franco Cortes has led and coordinated complex initiatives involving community outreach\, data analysis\, strategic reporting\, and stakeholder engagement to support informed decision-making. Since 2014\, she has championed education and literacy as foundational to workforce readiness\, emphasizing the role of durability skills such as communication\, adaptability\, and problem-solving in long-term career success. She is a recipient of the National Engaged Leader Award and the MassMutual Texas Gulf Coast Certificate of Stellar Performance\, and she co-founded a digital literacy initiative aimed at expanding educational access in underserved communities. Her public service also includes international engagement as a Council Member and Secretary General of Marketing for the Intergenerational Model United Nations. Dr. Franco Cortes holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Media and Digital Content\, with research focused on financial education\, nonprofit management\, and government-community partnerships. She has served for three years as a board member and Executive Chapter Secretary for the United Nations Association of Houston\, where she also leads the Young Professionals initiative\, advancing leadership development\, workforce readiness\, and global civic engagement among emerging leaders. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									Host:								\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Jacqueline AguileraCommunity Liaison & Program HostLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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\, and most recently served 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. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to register now\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive\, please check your junk mail! 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					PD CERTIFICATES				\n				\n				\n				\n									Participants who complete the full session will receive 1 hour of PD credit.  Literacy Texas defines “complete” as: Be present for at least 90% of the session;Have your camera on for the entire time you are present.								\n				\n				\n				\n									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 after the training\, and certificates will be prepared and sent after the survey closes. Please pay attention to the due dates – after each event is wrapped up\, we will not be able to go back and re-issue your PD certificate. If you know you’ll need a certificate at a later date\, please take care to request it in a timely manner! 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					SPECIAL THANKS				\n				\n				\n				\n									[presenter] 								\n				\n				\n				\n									[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant\, new line for each] 								\n				\n				\n				\n									The Texas Workforce Commission 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n					\n				\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					STAY IN THE KNOW - 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									see the national literacy calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									sign up for mailings\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									Or get news directly from Literacy Texas: 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Checked/updated 3/12/2026
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/future-focus-2026/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Annual Conference,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Other Events,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/Future-Focus-GOOGLE-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260813T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260813T140000
DTSTAMP:20260626T162511
CREATED:20260609T071554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T121040Z
UID:6573-1786626000-1786629600@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Parents\, Caregivers\, and the School System
DESCRIPTION: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.  Read more about the Best of Texas monthly online series. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Thank you so much for your interest! This event is now over. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					QUICK LINKS FOR THIS BEST OF TEXAS EVENT:				\n				\n				\n				\n									Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section\, or simply scroll down the page. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Basic details								\n				\n				\n				\n									About this month’s topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Our guest this month								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Special thanks								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					BASIC DETAILS				\n				\n				\n				\n									This online session will be held on: 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Thursday\, March 12\, 2026\, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									The Zoom room will open to registered attendees at 9:50 AM. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					ABOUT THIS MONTH'S TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Whether we call them soft skills\, power skills\, or durability skills\, one fact is clear: employers need them. Communication\, teamwork\, adaptability\, and problem-solving are essential across industries — yet the skills required in banking differ from those needed on a construction site. This spotlight will explore how Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) programs in Texas can partner with employers to define\, teach\, and validate durability skills that are both industry-specific and learner-centered. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Primary Topic Area				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n					Session will also cover:				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Audience				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n					Level				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Texas AEL PD Category				\n				\n				\n				\n									Assigned by TCALL 								\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n									Read more about the PD categories on the TCALL website. See the full Texas AEL Guide. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Other info:				\n				\n				\n				\n									No other info available at this time. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					GUEST THIS MONTH				\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									NameTitleXY 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Info Info 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dr. Maria Franco CortesSenior Planner for Board Relations and Government AffairsGulf Coast Workforce Board 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Dr. Maria Franco Cortes is the Senior Planner for Board Affairs and Government Relations at the Gulf Coast Workforce Board\, bringing more than eight years of experience across financial services\, nonprofit leadership\, marketing\, local government\, and public administration. Her work focuses on aligning education\, workforce systems\, and employer needs to support sustainable economic mobility. Throughout her career\, Dr. Franco Cortes has led and coordinated complex initiatives involving community outreach\, data analysis\, strategic reporting\, and stakeholder engagement to support informed decision-making. Since 2014\, she has championed education and literacy as foundational to workforce readiness\, emphasizing the role of durability skills such as communication\, adaptability\, and problem-solving in long-term career success. She is a recipient of the National Engaged Leader Award and the MassMutual Texas Gulf Coast Certificate of Stellar Performance\, and she co-founded a digital literacy initiative aimed at expanding educational access in underserved communities. Her public service also includes international engagement as a Council Member and Secretary General of Marketing for the Intergenerational Model United Nations. Dr. Franco Cortes holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Media and Digital Content\, with research focused on financial education\, nonprofit management\, and government-community partnerships. She has served for three years as a board member and Executive Chapter Secretary for the United Nations Association of Houston\, where she also leads the Young Professionals initiative\, advancing leadership development\, workforce readiness\, and global civic engagement among emerging leaders. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									Host:								\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Jacqueline AguileraCommunity Liaison & Program HostLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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\, and most recently served 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. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to register now\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive\, please check your junk mail! 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					PD CERTIFICATES				\n				\n				\n				\n									Participants who complete the full session will receive 1 hour of PD credit.  Literacy Texas defines “complete” as: Be present for at least 90% of the session;Have your camera on for the entire time you are present.								\n				\n				\n				\n									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 after the training\, and certificates will be prepared and sent after the survey closes. Please pay attention to the due dates – after each event is wrapped up\, we will not be able to go back and re-issue your PD certificate. If you know you’ll need a certificate at a later date\, please take care to request it in a timely manner! 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					SPECIAL THANKS				\n				\n				\n				\n									[presenter] 								\n				\n				\n				\n									[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant\, new line for each] 								\n				\n				\n				\n									The Texas Workforce Commission 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n					\n				\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					STAY IN THE KNOW - 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									see the national literacy calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									sign up for mailings\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									Or get news directly from Literacy Texas: 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Checked/updated 3/12/2026
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-aug-2026/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-PARENTS-SCHOOL-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260825
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260826
DTSTAMP:20260626T162511
CREATED:20260609T082926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T083149Z
UID:6589-1787616000-1787702399@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:The Expert Edge: Cross-Curricular Learning
DESCRIPTION: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.  Read more about the Best of Texas monthly online series. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Thank you so much for your interest! This event is now over. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					QUICK LINKS FOR THIS BEST OF TEXAS EVENT:				\n				\n				\n				\n									Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section\, or simply scroll down the page. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Basic details								\n				\n				\n				\n									About this month’s topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Our guest this month								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Special thanks								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					BASIC DETAILS				\n				\n				\n				\n									This online session will be held on: 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Thursday\, March 12\, 2026\, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									The Zoom room will open to registered attendees at 9:50 AM. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					ABOUT THIS MONTH'S TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Whether we call them soft skills\, power skills\, or durability skills\, one fact is clear: employers need them. Communication\, teamwork\, adaptability\, and problem-solving are essential across industries — yet the skills required in banking differ from those needed on a construction site. This spotlight will explore how Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) programs in Texas can partner with employers to define\, teach\, and validate durability skills that are both industry-specific and learner-centered. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n					Primary Topic Area				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n					Session will also cover:				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Audience				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n					Level				\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Texas AEL PD Category				\n				\n				\n				\n									Assigned by TCALL 								\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n									Read more about the PD categories on the TCALL website. See the full Texas AEL Guide. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n					Other info:				\n				\n				\n				\n									No other info available at this time. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					GUEST THIS MONTH				\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									NameTitleXY 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Info Info 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dr. Maria Franco CortesSenior Planner for Board Relations and Government AffairsGulf Coast Workforce Board 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									Dr. Maria Franco Cortes is the Senior Planner for Board Affairs and Government Relations at the Gulf Coast Workforce Board\, bringing more than eight years of experience across financial services\, nonprofit leadership\, marketing\, local government\, and public administration. Her work focuses on aligning education\, workforce systems\, and employer needs to support sustainable economic mobility. Throughout her career\, Dr. Franco Cortes has led and coordinated complex initiatives involving community outreach\, data analysis\, strategic reporting\, and stakeholder engagement to support informed decision-making. Since 2014\, she has championed education and literacy as foundational to workforce readiness\, emphasizing the role of durability skills such as communication\, adaptability\, and problem-solving in long-term career success. She is a recipient of the National Engaged Leader Award and the MassMutual Texas Gulf Coast Certificate of Stellar Performance\, and she co-founded a digital literacy initiative aimed at expanding educational access in underserved communities. Her public service also includes international engagement as a Council Member and Secretary General of Marketing for the Intergenerational Model United Nations. Dr. Franco Cortes holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Media and Digital Content\, with research focused on financial education\, nonprofit management\, and government-community partnerships. She has served for three years as a board member and Executive Chapter Secretary for the United Nations Association of Houston\, where she also leads the Young Professionals initiative\, advancing leadership development\, workforce readiness\, and global civic engagement among emerging leaders. 								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									Host:								\n				\n					\n				\n				\n						\n					\n			\n						\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Jacqueline AguileraCommunity Liaison & Program HostLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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\, and most recently served 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. 								\n				\n					\n		\n					\n		\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to register now\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive\, please check your junk mail! 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					PD CERTIFICATES				\n				\n				\n				\n									Participants who complete the full session will receive 1 hour of PD credit.  Literacy Texas defines “complete” as: Be present for at least 90% of the session;Have your camera on for the entire time you are present.								\n				\n				\n				\n									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 after the training\, and certificates will be prepared and sent after the survey closes. Please pay attention to the due dates – after each event is wrapped up\, we will not be able to go back and re-issue your PD certificate. If you know you’ll need a certificate at a later date\, please take care to request it in a timely manner! 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					SPECIAL THANKS				\n				\n				\n				\n									[presenter] 								\n				\n				\n				\n									[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant\, new line for each] 								\n				\n				\n				\n									The Texas Workforce Commission 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n					\n				\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n					STAY IN THE KNOW - 				\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									see the national literacy calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									sign up for mailings\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n		\n						\n				\n				\n				\n									Or get news directly from Literacy Texas: 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n																\n															\n															\n				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Checked/updated 3/12/2026
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/expert-edge-aug-2026/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Other Events,The Expert Edge,Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-FORMS-The-Expert-Edge-GENERAL-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR