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.
QUICK LINKS FOR THIS WHAT LEADERS NEED SESSION:
Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.
BASIC DETAILS
This online session will be held on:
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (CT)
Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 8:50 AM.
Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins.
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.
ABOUT THIS TOPIC
Teams That Learn Together, Stay Together
This session is a practical look at how teams evolve, and what you can do at each stage to keep people motivated, safe, and growing. We’ll use Tuckman’s stages of team development, translated into situations you’ll recognize from your own day-to-day challenges. We’ll talk about why your whole team needs regular professional development, not just your instructors. We’ll look at what adults need in order to learn (ummmm, because of course we will!), why supervision and reflection are not optional extras, and how to create space and protect time on calendars.
When people feel safe and challenged, service gets better. Learners feel it. Funders see it. And the work stays tangible and fulfilling through change.
You’ll try a short activity and leave with a resource list you can use the next morning. New to leading? You’re in the right room. Been at it for years? We’d love to have you there too!
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Audience
Level
Texas AEL PD Category
Assigned by TCALL
A note from the presenter:
This is a live, interactive session, not a webinar to multitask through. Please join with your camera on, as the environment and your focus allows, and definitely have a notebook (digital or analog!) handy.
Come ready to engage with, and learn from, your amazing Tri-State colleagues.
Resources and slide deck will follow the session.
MEET THE PRESENTER
Presenter: Melanie Fisk, MSW, MBA
Principal & Founder | Adaptive Ascent Group
Melanie Fisk (MSW, MBA) is an executive strategist and systems builder. Over the past 20+ years, Melanie has led change across nonprofit and public-sector settings, including serving as CEO of Literacy Advance of Houston, where she guided a turnaround and merger that doubled service capacity and expanded wraparound supports. She’s also held senior leadership roles at large, regional community organizations and directed national-scale technical assistance efforts connected to federal initiatives. Her superpower is building environments where great teams can do their best work and where strategy doesn’t live in a file, but is a living, organic part of a truly ground-up, adaptive culture.
In 2025, Melanie launched Adaptive Ascent Group, small boutique consulting firm to help small-to-mid sized organizations turn big goals into day-to-day momentum. She has gathered a team of systems builders and “implementation translators” who love the messy middle where strategy meets real people, AND real-world constraints. Together they aim to be your favorite thought partner. You know, the one who is grounded, will tell you the truth (even when it’s hard), who is just the right amount of wonky, and who loves to help you get stuff done!
When she’s not leading design workshops or geeking out with a new read, Melanie’s usually in the kitchen cooking something elaborate, hanging out with her two rescue pups, or connecting with a friend, preferably while being outside. She’s especially curious about the seismic shifts facing civil society and how we can reimagine systems for collective resilience. Based in Alexandria, VA, Melanie brings both humor and humanity to her work, and she’s always up for a good question and a deeper conversation.
HOST
Katie Welch, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Literacy Texas
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. Most recently, she served as Interim Director of the English Language Institute at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she directed an intensive English program serving international students. She also served as president and later treasurer of TexTESOL V, providing organizational and financial leadership for the association and overseeing its statewide conference and regional professional learning initiatives.
Katie brings nearly two decades of higher education experience preparing language educators at UTA and UNT-Dallas. She also provides professional development for both professional educators and volunteers and is a frequent speaker at state, national, and international conferences. A twice-selected U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, Katie was named the 2024 TexTESOLer of the Year and selected for the 2026 COABE National Presenter Network. She holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from UTA and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Baylor University.
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 on 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.
PD CERTIFICATES
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;
- Have your camera on for the entire time you are present.
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!
DOWNLOADS & PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS
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].
Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon.
SPECIAL THANKS
[presenter]
[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant, new line for each]
The Texas Workforce Commission
STAY IN THE KNOW -
Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:
Thank you so much for your interest!
This event is now over.
Page checked/updated: 12/16/25