BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Literacy Texas - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.literacytexas.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Literacy Texas REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260127T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260127T103000 DTSTAMP:20260501T001949 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 directors\, managers\, and other leaders at adult literacy programs\, 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 \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 presenter \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\, June 4\, 2026 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 Join us for “[Topic]: [Full title]”\, led by [brief description/credentials] [presenter name]. This literacy training session will focus on [topic]. Presenter [name] will take us through [short description of session]. \n \n \n \n \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 [session description] \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 \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 Pending \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 PRESENTER \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Presenter: Kirsten Albritton\, Ed.DDirector | Connecting Adults to Professions and Education (C.A.P.E.) Program Kirsten Albritton is a strategic and results-driven education leader serving as the Director of the Connecting Adults to Professions and Education (C.A.P.E.) Program at Meharry Medical College’s Center for Health Policy. With a strong foundation in adult education\, workforce development\, and healthcare training\, she leads innovative\, grant-funded initiatives designed to expand access to education and career pathways for underserved and rural populations across Tennessee. In her role\, Kirsten oversees the design\, implementation\, and evaluation of adult education and workforce programs\, including the Rural Healthcare Access Program (R.H.A.P.). Her work focuses on aligning education with labor market demands through integrated education and training (IET) models that support learners in earning industry-recognized credentials such as Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)\, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)\, Pharmacy Technician\, and Medical Billing and Coding certifications. She is deeply committed to ensuring programs not only meet performance benchmarks but also create meaningful\, long-term impact for adult learners. Kirsten brings extensive expertise in program development\, grant management\, and data-driven decision-making. She has successfully led initiatives that exceed state performance metrics\, including measurable skill gains\, credential attainment\, and workforce participation. Through strong partnerships with healthcare organizations\, workforce agencies\, and community stakeholders\, she continues to strengthen workforce pipelines and expand access to high-demand careers. A recognized thought leader in adult education\, Kirsten is a published author in the COABE Journal\, where her article\, “Bridging Policy and People: A Practitioner’s Reflection on Adult Education in Tennessee\,” highlights the critical connection between state policy\, program implementation\, and learner success. Her work emphasizes the importance of equity-centered program design\, practitioner voice in policy conversations\, and the transformative impact of adult education on individuals and families. Kirsten’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to educational equity and community empowerment. She advocates for reducing systemic barriers to education and workforce access\, particularly for historically underserved populations\, including rural communities\, minorities\, and adult learners seeking economic mobility. Through her work\, she continues to advance innovative solutions that bridge education\, workforce development\, and health equity. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Healthcare Leadership and has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Nashville. Kirsten also serves as a COABE State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow and an NTEN Digital Inclusion Fellow\, further advancing her impact at the intersection of policy\, education\, and digital equity. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n HOST \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Laura TaylorExecutive DirectorOklahoma Literacy Coalition \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Laura Taylor serves as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma\, she began her career teaching in Texas before returning home to pursue nonprofit work in adult literacy. There\, she discovered her passion for combining education and service.  Since 2018\, Laura has led OLC’s statewide efforts to support the literacy efforts of adult learners and literacy organizations through grants\, resources\, and professional development. Outside of work\, she enjoys reading\, caring for animals on her farm\, and endlessly “refining” her organization systems. \n \n \n \n \n \n \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. Literacy Texas defines “complete” as: Be present for at least 90% of the session;Remain on camera for the entire time you are present. \n \n \n \n Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email after the training\, and certificates will be prepared and sent after the survey closes. Please pay attention to the due dates – after each event is wrapped up\, we will not be able to go back and re-issue your PD certificate. If you know you’ll need a certificate at a later date\, please take care to request it in a timely manner! \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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 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 Page checked/updated: 12/16/25 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 END:VCALENDAR