BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Literacy Texas - ECPv6.17.5.1//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: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 BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20280312T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20281105T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270727 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270729 DTSTAMP:20260817T013406Z CREATED:20260817T012508Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T013406Z UID:9114-1816646400-1816819199@www.literacytexas.org SUMMARY:2027 Literacy Texas Annual Conference DESCRIPTION:Learn from peers about best practices and innovative ideas being put into action at literacy programs across our great state. Best of Texas brings together local experts to share their wisdom and experience – and maybe help us all avoid a few pitfalls along the way.  Read more about the Best of Texas monthly online series. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n QUICK LINKS FOR THIS BEST OF TEXAS EVENT: \n \n \n \n Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section\, or simply scroll down the page. \n \n \n \n Basic details \n \n \n \n About this month’s topic \n \n \n \n Our guest this month \n \n \n \n Online registration \n \n \n \n PD certificates \n \n \n \n Special thanks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BASIC DETAILS \n \n \n \n This online session will be held on: \n \n \n \n Thursday\, October 8\, 2026 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (CT) \n \n \n \n Stay after the session ends for optional discussion\, Q&A\, and other conversation between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM. \n \n \n \n The Zoom room will open to registered attendees at 12:50 PM. \n \n \n \n Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins. \n \n \n \n This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT THIS MONTH'S TOPIC \n \n \n \n How does the work of community-based literacy programs connect to education\, training\, and employment opportunities for adult learners? Join us as we explore where CBOs fit within the broader workforce ecosystem\, how partnerships can help learners navigate their next steps\, and where literacy programs can begin making connections in their own communities. \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 OUR GUEST THIS MONTH \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Traci Nolen \n \n \n \n Principal Industry Liaison \n \n \n \n Gulf Coast Workforce Board \n \n \n \n Traci Nolen serves as the Principal Industry Liaison for the Gulf Coast Workforce Board\, where she provides senior‑level employer consultation and delivers strategic workforce solutions across high‑demand industries throughout the Gulf Coast region. In this role\, she partners closely with employers\, industry leaders\, and workforce stakeholders to align talent strategies with regional labor market needs and economic priorities. Previously\, Traci served as an Apprenticeship Specialist with the Texas Workforce Commission\, where she provided technical assistance and consultative support to employers and workforce partners statewide in support of Registered Apprenticeship expansion. Through this work\, she assisted employers in designing\, launching\, and scaling apprenticeship programs across Texas\, helping to strengthen employer‑driven talent pipelines. With more than 20 years of workforce development experience across Kentucky and Texas\, Traci has also served as a Project Manager for local workforce boards in both states. Her career highlights include leading innovative workforce initiatives such as transitioning coal miners into technology careers\, establishing a network of 15 community‑based job clubs across Eastern Kentucky that received national recognition from the U.S. Department of Labor and the White House during the Obama Administration\, and supporting large‑scale workforce recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey in the Greater Houston region. Today\, Traci remains on the front lines of employer engagement and workforce innovation\, supporting businesses and partners through strategic collaboration\, program development\, and industry‑driven solutions that strengthen and future‑proof talent pipelines across 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 Name \n \n \n \n Title \n \n \n \n Organization + URL \n \n \n \n Bio pending \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Name \n \n \n \n Title \n \n \n \n Organization + URL \n \n \n \n Bio pending \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Additional guests to be confirmed. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n LITERACY TEXAS HOST \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katie Welch\, Ph.D.Executive DirectorLiteracy Texas \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Katie Welch\, Ph.D.\, serves as Executive Director of Literacy Texas. Throughout her career\, she has combined educational leadership with the preparation and support of language educators\, including directing UTA’s intensive English program for international students and serving as president and treasurer of TexTESOL V. Katie brings nearly two decades of higher education experience preparing language educators at UTA and the UNT-Dallas and is a frequent state\, national\, and international speaker. She is a twice-selected U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist\, the 2024 TexTESOLer of the Year\, and a member of the 2026 COABE National Presenter Network. \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM) will receive 1 hour 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 SPECIAL THANKS \n \n \n \n [presenter] \n \n \n \n [name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant\, new line for each] \n \n \n \n The Texas Workforce Commission \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n STAY IN THE KNOW - \n \n \n \n \n \n \n go to the literacy texas calendar\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n see the national literacy calendar\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n sign up for mailings\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Or get news directly from Literacy Texas: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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 Checked/updated 8/01/2026 URL:https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/2027-conference/ LOCATION:Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North\, 2401 Bass Pro Drive\, Grapevine\, TX\, 76051\, United States CATEGORIES:Annual Conference,Literacy Texas Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.literacytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2027-conference-GOOGLE-blue-on-white-1200x300-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Literacy Texas":MAILTO:info@literacytexas.org END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR