Regional symposia focus primarily on adult literacy, and provide free professional development for volunteers and staff of nonprofit, community-based adult and family literacy programs.
Your local symposium is an excellent place to network with other literacy providers in your region, and a great source of professional development for volunteer and other instructors, as well as administrative staff.
QUICK LINKS FOR THE MID-WEST SYMPOSIUM:
Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.
BASIC DETAILS
The 2026 Mid-West Texas Literacy Symposium will be a half-day symposium, and will be held on:
Friday, May 8, 2026, from 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM (CT)
Check-in for pre-registered participants will open at 8:15 AM, with the full program beginning at 8:45 AM.
This symposium is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. See Symposium FAQs for more information.
SYMPOSIUM FAQs
Click on a question to see the answer.
Q: Hang on - "symposium"? Don't you mean "conference"?
A: Literacy Texas does have an annual conference! It’s held every summer.
Our regional symposia are a different type of event to the conference.
Each symposium:
- Takes place in a different Texas region to help minimize travel
- Has a local focus
- Is free to attend
- Generally takes place on one day (some symposia are 2 days)
- Includes workshops for both classroom instructors and program administrators
- Is the primary training Literacy Texas offers for literacy volunteers
- Offers 2.5 – 5 hours of professional development, sometimes more
Q: Who should attend this symposium?
A: Anyone interested in adult and family literacy in Texas is welcome at the symposium. The people who will gain the most are instructors at community-based adult literacy organizations and nonprofits.
Volunteer tutors and teachers are especially welcome!
When we create the symposium program, we use the broadest definition of “literacy”, to include all of Adult Foundational Education: adult basic education, English as an additional language, high school equivalency, digital literacy, and workforce readiness, along with other kinds of teaching and learning.
Q: I don't live in this region. Can I still attend?
A: YES! Anyone who lives in Texas is welcome at any Literacy Texas symposium.
Q: Why should I attend?
Two words: LOCAL + FREE!
Each symposium program includes both key topics of universal interest to adult literacy programs, and a focus on the local needs of the region. When you complete our Annual Survey every year, we use the results to invite speakers and presenters on topics you said you particularly wanted and needed.
Furthermore, registration is free. You won’t need a large budget for travel or an overnight stay, in the vast majority of cases. We hope that many folks from the same organization can come to the symposium – there’s no limit on how many people can attend from one place. It’s a lot harder to send lots of people to conferences, since we know costs stack up pretty quickly.
Q: How much does registration cost?
A: The symposium is free to attend. Thanks to a generous grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, Literacy Texas can cover the costs of your tuition, any meals and snacks offered, materials, and other resources.
Please be aware that in recent years, between 15% and 30% of registrants are no-shows at our training events. Every one of these costs us money (since we’ve already paid for food, materials, and more).
If you’ve registered for a Literacy Texas event but then find you can no longer attend, PLEASE get in touch to cancel your registration.
Q: Do you offer PD credit?
A: Yes! Literacy Texas offers PD credit in conjunction with TCALL.
Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email in the days following the training.
Please pay attention to the due dates communicated at your symposium – 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!
LOCATION
This symposium will be held at the Courtyard Abilene Northeast: 2141 Scottish Road, Abilene, TX 79601.
FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION
REMINDER: CHECK YOUR SPAM
Every online registration will generate an automated email response with further information. If you don’t see it arrive, please check your junk mail!
Online registration has now closed – but we have a few spots available for last-minute registrants!
Call us at 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.
PD CERTIFICATES
Attendees can receive up to 2.5 hours of PD credit at this symposium.
You must use the Literacy Texas app to track your session attendance if you want to receive PD credit. Information about how to access and use the app will be sent to registrants ahead of the symposium.
Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to request 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 communicated at your symposium – 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!
SCHEDULE OUTLINE
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM | Check-in for registered attendees; breakfast (30 min)
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM | Welcome, opening remarks (15 min)
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening address (30 min)
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Networking activity (30 min)
10:15 AM – 11:45 AM | Workshop (90 min)
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Farewell, door prizes
PROGRAM, SESSIONS, & SPEAKERS
Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM: CHECK-IN FOR PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES
Location: Pending
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM: WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS
Location: Pending
Jacqueline Aguilera
Community Liaison & Program Host, Literacy Texas
Jacqueline “Jackie” Aguilera has logged 38 years of diverse experience across educational and non-profit sectors. With a focus on adult literacy, she has left an indelible mark on various initiatives and projects in the multi-layered field of adult literacy.
As an experienced adult education innovations designer, she earned a 2021 Ford Foundation Mujeres Legendarias Award for creative ed tech applications in adult education. Her service impact also extends beyond the classroom into the workforce. She empowers both employers and employees through worksite literacy training and independent consulting. She leads a local fellowship of adult education providers called the Houston Area Adult Literacy Collective (the incredible HAALC), serves on many committees, boards, and projects impacting adult learners and families, and most recently served as Project Manager for Houston’s Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy.
In summary, Jacqueline’s multifaceted career reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing literacy and education across diverse communities and platforms. Currently on a journey through breast cancer treatment, she is more than ever committed to advancing the lives of all those she serves, making her a messenger of inspiration, innovation, and evolution.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Opening Address (30 min)
“Literacy at the Speed of Change: Preparing Texas Families for an AI‑Powered Future”
As Abilene prepares for the arrival of a major data center, Yogashri Pradhan will highlight why family literacy and AI literacy must grow together to keep communities competitive and connected. She will share how strengthening reading, digital confidence, and everyday AI skills empowers parents, children, and workers to thrive in a data‑driven economy. Her address will challenge West Texas to see literacy not just as education, but as infrastructure for the future.
Location: Pending
Yogashri Pradhan
Founder, IronLady Energy Advisors
Literacy Texas Board Member
Yogashri Pradhan was most recently a Lead Production Engineer at Chevron. She’s had 10+ years of experience in unconventional asset development and production engineering in Midland and Delaware Basins for various Permian operators. She’s now taken this experience and founded IronLady Energy Advisors, a consulting firm focused on technical solutions for all forms of energy.
Most recently, she has been honored as a distinguished alumni from the University of Texas Petroleum Engineering Department and Hart Energy’s 40 Under 40. She is the recipient of the Regional Reservoir Engineering Dynamics and Description and the Regional Service Awards in 2020. She’s also the recipient of Houston Engineers Week Young Engineer of the Year representing SPE-Gulf Coast Section for 2018 and the International Young Member Outstanding Service Award from SPE in 2018.
Yogashri graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering in 2015 and received her Masters in Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2020. In 2024, she earned her MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and New Mexico.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Networking Activity (30 min)
“Build a Pathway Together: Connecting Careers, Community, and Civics”
Explore real careers in construction, energy, transportation, and infrastructure. Learn who in your community can support you in preparing adult learners for these jobs.
Location: Pending
Jacqueline Aguilera
Community Liaison & Program Host, Literacy Texas
Jacqueline “Jackie” Aguilera has logged 38 years of diverse experience across educational and non-profit sectors. With a focus on adult literacy, she has left an indelible mark on various initiatives and projects in the multi-layered field of adult literacy.
As an experienced adult education innovations designer, she earned a 2021 Ford Foundation Mujeres Legendarias Award for creative ed tech applications in adult education. Her service impact also extends beyond the classroom into the workforce. She empowers both employers and employees through worksite literacy training and independent consulting. She leads a local fellowship of adult education providers called the Houston Area Adult Literacy Collective (the incredible HAALC), serves on many committees, boards, and projects impacting adult learners and families, and most recently served as Project Manager for Houston’s Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy.
In summary, Jacqueline’s multifaceted career reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing literacy and education across diverse communities and platforms. Currently on a journey through breast cancer treatment, she is more than ever committed to advancing the lives of all those she serves, making her a messenger of inspiration, innovation, and evolution.
10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Workshop (90 min)
Nature’s Classroom: Embracing Curiosity & Learning from the World Around Us
Nurturing civic responsibility and igniting family literacy are essential steps in creating a lifelong love for learning.
Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
- Explore how nature and community can enhance literacy development.
- Advocate for the importance of reading and civic responsibility.
- Highlight the role of families in nurturing literacy.
- Provide practical strategies for fostering a love of learning through family engagement and outdoor exploration.
Participants will leave with:
- Practical strategies for fostering family literacy and advocacy in their communities.
- Tools for integrating outdoor learning experiences that encourage curiosity and literacy development.
- Resources to help parents and families create an enriching reading environment at home.
- Methods to incorporate civic engagement through literature and reading.
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Audience
Level
Texas AEL PD Category
Assigned by TCALL
Other info:
No other info available at this time.
Karla Rodriguez
Curriculum, Instruction, Growth & Development, CONTENTBYK
Karla Rodriguez is an educational leader committed to shaping meaningful learning experiences through her work in curriculum, instruction, and professional development. With over a decade of experience spanning the classroom to campus leadership, she currently serves as a Reading Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, where she supports and develops educators in creating purposeful, high-impact learning environments. Her work has been recognized at the district level through the Building Capacity Award, reflecting her impact in developing educators and strengthening instructional practices.
Grounded in the belief that literacy builds stronger communities, she serves as Vice President of the South Texas Literacy Coalition, expanding access and opportunity through her work beyond the classroom.
She is also the creator of CONTENTBYK, a space where education, reflection, and creativity intersect. Through this platform, Karla transforms her expertise into a form of ongoing professional development—sharing insights, experiences, and perspectives that invite learners to grow with intention, reflect deeply, and reconnect with the purpose behind their work.
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: FAREWELL & DOOR PRIZES
Location: Pending
DOWNLOADS
Download or print a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending the symposium.
Download or print a copy of the symposium program.
SPECIAL THANKS TO -
The regional symposia are funded by the Professional Development Support for Nonprofit Adult Literacy Organizations grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
STAY IN THE KNOW -
Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:
Checked/updated: 4/27/2026
Thank you so much for your interest!
This event is now over.
