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UID:5037-1738225800-1738239300@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Workforce Literacy
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-jan-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-FORMS-BEST-Workforce-Literacy-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250218T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250218T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082910
CREATED:20240821T085214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T053735Z
UID:4829-1739869200-1739874600@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:What Leaders Need: Nonprofit Finances
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/leaders-finances-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Other Events,Training,What Leaders Need
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-FORMS-WLN-Finances-1200-×-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250227T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250227T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082910
CREATED:20241218T111634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250228T051122Z
UID:5078-1740650400-1740654000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Literacy at the Library
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-feb-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-Literacy-at-the-Library-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250306T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250306T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082910
CREATED:20241218T110212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T075825Z
UID:5077-1741266000-1741271400@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:The Expert Edge: Community Collaboration
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/expert-edge-mar-2025/
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-Edge-Community-Collaboration-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250327T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250327T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082910
CREATED:20250212T112712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T000558Z
UID:5243-1743069600-1743073200@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Focus on ABE
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-mar-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-Focus-on-ABE-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082910
CREATED:20250227T032908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T235425Z
UID:5290-1745411400-1745415000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Coffee With Literacy Texas
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/coffee-apr-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Group Chat,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/Coffee-with-LitTX-cover-image-02-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250424T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250424T121500
DTSTAMP:20260430T082910
CREATED:20250221T013745Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T222440Z
UID:5275-1745483400-1745496900@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Faith-Affiliated Programs
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-apr-2025/
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-Faith-Affiliated-Programs-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250507T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250507T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250327T055611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T002430Z
UID:5340-1746608400-1746613800@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:The Expert Edge: Students as Leaders
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/expert-edge-may-2025/
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-Edge-Students-as-Leaders-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250508T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250508T100000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250415T052044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250425T024555Z
UID:5385-1746694800-1746698400@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Literacy Texas Presents: ProLiteracy & New Readers Press
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/presenting-proliteracy-nrp-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Literacy Texas Events,Literacy Texas Presents,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-LitTX-Presents-ProLiteracy-NRP-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250522T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250522T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250327T064154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T222535Z
UID:5343-1747908000-1747911600@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Digital Literacy
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-may-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-Digital-Literacy-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250605T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250605T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20240821T085505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T043547Z
UID:4830-1749114000-1749119400@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:What Leaders Need: Community Collaboration
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/leaders-collaboration-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Other Events,Training,What Leaders Need
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-FORMS-WLN-Collaboration-1200-×-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250626T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250626T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250423T052532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250704T104337Z
UID:5392-1750932000-1750935600@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Literacy in Corrections
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-jun-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-Corrections-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250708T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250708T100000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250515T080522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250620T043608Z
UID:5423-1751965200-1751968800@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Coffee With Literacy Texas
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/coffee-jul-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Group Chat,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/Coffee-with-LitTX-cover-image-02-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250717T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250717T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250528T084840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250624T103627Z
UID:5448-1752746400-1752750000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Best Practices & Research
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-jul-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-Best-Practices-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250821T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250821T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082911
CREATED:20250724T085623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250724T085748Z
UID:5678-1755770400-1755774000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:2025 Focus Group #1
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/2025-focus-group-1/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Focus Group,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/Focus-Groups-cover-image-01.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250825T140000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250724T090009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250724T090035Z
UID:5679-1756126800-1756130400@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:2025 Focus Group #2
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/2025-focus-group-2/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Focus Group,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/Focus-Groups-cover-image-01.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250826T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250826T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250724T072954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250827T103538Z
UID:5675-1756200600-1756206000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:The Expert Edge: A Great Start for Students
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/expert-edge-aug-2025/
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-Edge-A-Great-Start-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250828T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250828T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250724T092537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T210926Z
UID:5680-1756375200-1756378800@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Civics & Citizenship
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-aug-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-CIVICS-CITIZENSHIP-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250902T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250902T100000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250815T072645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T030134Z
UID:5757-1756803600-1756807200@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:LitTX Group Chat
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/group-chat-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Group Chat,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-Group-Chat-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250911T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250911T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250820T100922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250912T020423Z
UID:5758-1757584800-1757588400@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Outreach & Advocacy
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Best of Texas,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-BEST-OUTREACH-ADVOCACY-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250923T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250923T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250731T023313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T081650Z
UID:5706-1758618000-1758623400@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:What Leaders Need: Strategic & Succession Planning Essentials
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/leaders-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Other Events,Training,What Leaders Need
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-WLN-Strategic-Planning-1200-×-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251009T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251009T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082912
CREATED:20250827T110705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T081128Z
UID:5776-1760004000-1760007600@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Learning Differences & Disabilities
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-oct-2025/
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-DISABILITIES-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251014T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20250827T102001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T081152Z
UID:5773-1760446800-1760452200@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:The Expert Edge: Progress by Design
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/expert-edge-oct-2025/
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-Edge-Progress-by-Design-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251113T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251113T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20250918T083442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T220858Z
UID:5813-1763028000-1763031600@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Adult Learner Persistence & Retention
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-nov-2025/
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-PERSISTENCE-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251204T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251204T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20250918T084036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T093208Z
UID:5814-1764838800-1764844200@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:What Leaders Need: Finding & Keeping Amazing Volunteers
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/leaders-dec-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Literacy Texas Events,Online Event,Training,What Leaders Need
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-WLN-Volunteers-1200-×-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251211T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251211T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20250918T091454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T033359Z
UID:5815-1765447200-1765450800@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Career Navigation
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-dec-2025/
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-CAREER-NAVIGATION-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251215T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251215T113000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20250918T092234Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T064313Z
UID:5816-1765794600-1765798200@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:LitTX Group Chat
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/group-chat-dec-2025/
LOCATION:Online Event – Zoom
CATEGORIES:Group Chat,Literacy Texas Events,Online Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/GOOGLE-Group-Chat-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260108T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260108T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20251028T020302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T221654Z
UID:6087-1767866400-1767870000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: Wraparound Services
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-jan-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-WRAPAROUND-SERVICES-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260127T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260127T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082913
CREATED:20251029T104000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T102144Z
UID:6094-1769504400-1769509800@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:The Expert Edge: Building a Positive Classroom Environment
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/expert-edge-jan-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-Edge-Positive-Classroom-1200x300-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T082914
CREATED:20251125T221639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T103405Z
UID:6135-1770890400-1770894000@www.literacytexas.org
SUMMARY:Best of Texas: HSE/GED
DESCRIPTION:When resources are tight\, it can be difficult to know where to turn to get answers on core topics – but those answers are crucial to leaders’ ability to offer quality programs.  What Leaders Need\, for new and emerging literacy leaders\, is presented via a tri-state partnership. Literacy Texas is proud to partner with Adult Learning Alliance of Arkansas and Oklahoma Literacy Coalition to bring quality professional development to literacy leaders across three states. Read more about the What Leaders Need quarterly online training 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 WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:				\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 topic								\n				\n				\n				\n									Meet the panel								\n				\n				\n				\n									Online registration								\n				\n				\n				\n									PD Certificates								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloads and printable documents								\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\, December 4\, 2025\, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT). 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 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 training session is offered free of charge to Arkansas\, Oklahoma\, and 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 TOPIC				\n				\n				\n				\n									Volunteers can make so many good things happen\, and can help adult literacy programs with lean budgets do more than would otherwise be possible. So where can you find reliable folks?What’s reasonable to expect of them in terms of training and ongoing time commitment?How can you show your gratitude in ways that resonate?And above all – how can you be sure that what a volunteer can provide is what the adult students in your literacy programs need? In this panel discussion\, hear from adult literacy professionals who work closely with volunteers\, about what they’ve learned and how they make it all work. 								\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					\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					MEET THE PANELISTS				\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Bruce DavisCoordinator| Great Plains Literacy Council Bruce Davis is a retired pastor who has maintained a deep commitment to the cause of literacy. Throughout his career and into retirement\, he has remained actively involved in promoting literacy within his community. Before retiring\, he dedicated seven years to serving as a board member for the Great Plains Literacy Council (GPLC) in Altus\, Oklahoma. Five of those years\, he served as the board president. His board experience provided him with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing literacy organizations in rural areas. When the position of Coordinator for the Great Plains Literacy Council was left vacant\, he decided to step into the role in 2022. As Coordinator\, Bruce focuses on managing the overall program and staff\, securing funding\, handling publicity\, and recruiting both tutors and learners. Although the job encompasses many tasks\, he especially enjoys sharing the organization’s story and recruiting new participants. Bruce has recently begun a second term as President of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. This role allows him to contribute to literacy efforts at the state level\, expanding his impact beyond his immediate community. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Todd EvansSenior Director of Programs | ProLiteracy Todd Evans is the Senior Director of Programs for ProLiteracy. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the services ProLiteracy provides to the adult education field\, including professional development\, domestic and international projects and partnerships\, and membership. Todd has been with ProLiteracy since 1995. He has spent most of his time with ProLiteracy providing training and support to tutors\, teachers\, students\, and program managers in a variety of subjects. Todd graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He started work on a Master’s degree in Sociology\, but stopped to begin working for the Memphis Literacy Council. Todd began his literacy career in Memphis\, TN\, first as a volunteer tutor for the Memphis Literacy Council\, and later as a staff member where he was an administrative assistant\, community liaison\, and trainer. Todd is a member of many literacy and training organizations\, including the Literacy Roundtable\, a consortium of literacy providers throughout the St. Louis-Metro East area. Todd has lived in St. Louis since 2001. Outside of literacy\, he enjoys cooking and sports\, particularly playing golf and watching University of Tennessee football and Cardinal baseball. 								\n				\n				\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Sonia VazquezDirector| ESL Classes in Plano Sonia Vazquez has volunteered at Prestonwood Baptist Church-Plano Campus since 2000\, where she has taught Level 5 and Citizenship classes and served as Director of the ESL Program for the past 14 years. The program currently serves over 500 students with 65 volunteers\, using the Ventures Series by Cambridge University. Offering 21 classes each semester\, it maintains a 75–80% return rate and a waiting list of 250–350 students\, with registration opening three months in advance due to high demand. 								\n				\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n		\n				\n				\n																														\n				\n				\n				\n									Dana VenhausExecutive Director | Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Dana Venhaus has been Executive Director of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas since 2022. Prior to that she was with Arkansas Extended Learning\, a private community education organization she founded and managed for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology\, did her master’s work in Public Administration and is a certified public manager and certified volunteer manager. Dana lives in Little Rock with her four-legged kids\, loves spending time with family and friends\, reading\, traveling\, pickleball\, and all things outdoors. Her daughter and son-in-law live in San Francisco. 								\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									Dr. Jenny McCormack WalkerExecutive DirectorLiteracy Texas 								\n				\n					\n		\n				\n			\n						\n				\n									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. 								\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									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. 								\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 1.5 hours of PD credit. 								\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					DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS				\n				\n				\n				\n									Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer]. 								\n				\n				\n				\n									Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon. 								\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									click here to go to the literacy texas calendar\n					\n					\n				\n								\n				\n				\n				\n									\n					\n						\n									click here to see the national literacy calendar\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				\n				\n				\n				\n						\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Page checked/updated: 12/04/25
URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/best-of-texas-feb-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-HSEGED-1200-x-300-px.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR