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    • Annual Conference
      • NEW: Pre-Conference
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      • Sponsors & Exhibitors
      • Location & Venue
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      • Breakout Sessions
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Literacy Texas Presents: ProLiteracy & New Readers Press

April 15, 2025 by Kathryn Bauchelle

ProLiteracy provides funding, comprehensive training, professional learning, accessible research, and New Readers Press digital and print resources to unleash the power of literacy to transform lives.

ProLiteracy offers a lot of things to the literacy community, among them:

  • Resources
  • Courses and learning
  • Grants and funding

Many of these resources are free for anyone to use. ProLiteracy also offers paid membership, which includes access to additional resources and opportunities.

Do you know all the ways you and your organization could benefit from what ProLiteracy provides? If not, come along to this session and find out more. No hard sell – just an introduction to what’s on offer and time to ask your questions.

Join us online:

Thursday, May 8, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

REGISTER HERE FOR THIS FREE EVENT
  • Google Calendar
  • iCalendar
  • Outlook 365
  • Outlook Live

OUR GUESTS

Smith, Michelle 300px

Michelle Smith
Sr. Membership & Program Services Manager
ProLiteracy

Michelle is an experienced non-profit leader who is currently responsible for maintaining and growing ProLiteracy’s membership program. ProLiteracy’s membership includes 1,000+ adult literacy literacy programs and organizations and 500+ individuals.

She enjoys sharing information on ProLiteracy’s many member benefits and numerous free resources. Michelle has been with ProLiteracy since February 2017.

Beeson, Ann

Ann Beeson
Independent Representative
New Readers Press

As an independent representative, Ann Beeson has worked with adult education and literacy programs in 10 states for over 24 years, presenting at state & national conferences.  She currently offers resources through New Readers Press. 

Ann has a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instructional design from the University of Minnesota.

STAY IN THE KNOW -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Checked/updated 4/24/25

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

Tagged With: abe, adult literacy, community, esl, ideas, literacy programs, resources

South Texas Literacy Symposium

October 24, 2024 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Funded by the Professional Development Support for Nonprofit Adult Literacy Organizations grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, regional symposia provide free professional development for volunteers and staff of nonprofit, community-based organizations.

Your local symposium is an excellent place to learn and network with other literacy providers in your region, and a great source of professional development for volunteer instructors.

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

QUICK LINKS FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS SYMPOSIUM:

Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.

  • Basic details
  • Location, map, and directions
  • Online registration
  • PD certificates
  • Symposium FAQs
  • Program, sessions, and speakers
  • Exhibitors at this symposium
  • Downloads and printable documents
  • Special thanks

BASIC INFORMATION

The 2025 South Texas Literacy Symposium is co-presented by the South Texas Literacy Coalition and Literacy Texas. 

The symposium has the theme “Life’s Tapestry: Art & Words” and will be held on:

Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (CT).

Check-in for registered participants will open at 8:00 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.

The symposium provides up to 5 hours of professional development.

LOCATION

This symposium will be held in the ballroom, UTRGV: 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539.

Click here for map, directions, and parking information

FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION

This session has reached capacity and is no longer accepting new registrations

Registration for this session has now closed – but we have a few spots available for last-minute registrants! Call us on 972-926-3155 to make arrangements.

click here to register now

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!

PD CERTIFICATES

Someone who attends a session in every timeslot will receive 5 hours of PD credit.

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.

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 separate to the conference.

Each symposium:

  • Takes place in a different Texas region to help minimize travel
  • Has a local focus
  • Is free to attend
  • Is generally a single 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 5+ hours of professional development

Read more about the symposia here.

Read more about the annual conference here.

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 and family 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: Why should I attend?

Two words: LOCAL + FREE!

Each symposium program focuses 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. Literacy Texas will cover the costs of your tuition, any meals and snacks offered, materials, and other resources. 

Please be aware that in recent years, between 25% and 40% 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.

PROGRAM, SESSIONS, & SPEAKERS

See the schedule outline below; detailed descriptions of the workshops will be linked here when confirmed.

Click here to see details about the sessions and speakers

Schedule: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: CHECK-IN, BREAKFAST

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: WELCOME, OPENING REMARKS

Dr. Ida Acuña-Garza, South Texas Literacy Coalition
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Session 1 (75 min)

Accountability – Telling Your Story
Sabrina Walker-Hernandez, Supporting World Hope, LLC (Nonprofit Management)

Enhancing ESL Instruction with AI: Practical Tools for Engaging Learning
Dr. Irene Ramos, TCALL

Understanding Literacy in a Wider Context
Dr. Ida Acuña-Garza, South Texas Literacy Coalition

10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Session 2 (75 min)

ESL Alive, Awake, and Fun*
Karen Peiser, TCALL
*Repeated in session 3

English for Employability: Purposeful Planning for Adult Learners
Kenya Preuninger, Pearson Education

Effective PACT (Parent And Child Together) Time
Karla Rodriguez, Educator

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: WORKING LUNCH + KEYNOTE

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Amanda Johnston, 2024 Texas Poet Laureate

“Examining Life Through Literacy”

+ Time to visit exhibitors and author tables

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Session 3 (60 min)

ESL Alive, Awake, and Fun*
Karen Peiser, TCALL
*Repeated from session 2

Financial Literacy & Budgeting
Dr. Irene Ramos, TCALL

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Session 4 (60 min)

Motivating Reluctant Readers
Dr. Arlene Longoria, BLOOM Project
Cassidy Martinez, BLOOM Project

Teaching Civics & Citizenship
Region One ESC – Adult Education

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM: FAREWELL & DOOR PRIZES

Click here to see details about the sessions and speakers

EXHIBITORS

Author – Roy Cervantes

Author – Elizabeth Huerta

Author – David Leija

Author – Faustino Lopez

Author – Rosa Esthela Mora

Author – David Norec

Author – Victor Vasquez

Essential Education

Just Right Reader

Literacy ConneXus

PaperPie Learning

Pearson Education

Region One ESC Adult Education

DOWNLOADS

Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending the symposium.

Click here to get the flyer

Download a printable 2-page symposium program (PDF).

Click here to get the program

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

South Texas Literacy Coalition

UTRGV

The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Checked/updated: 2/26/25

Tagged With: abe, adult literacy, esl, ideas, literacy programs, professional development, symposium, training, volunteers

Far West Literacy Symposium

October 17, 2024 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Funded by the Professional Development Support for Nonprofit Adult Literacy Organizations grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, regional symposia provide free professional development for volunteers and staff of nonprofit, community-based organizations.

Your local symposium is an excellent place to learn and network with other literacy providers in your region, and a great source of professional development for volunteer instructors.

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

QUICK LINKS FOR THE FAR WEST SYMPOSIUM:

Click on any of the links below to go straight to that section, or simply scroll down the page.

  • Basic details about this symposium
  • Location, map, and directions
  • Online registration
  • PD certificates
  • Symposium FAQs
  • Program, sessions, and speakers
  • Exhibitors at this symposium
  • Flyer and other printable documents
  • Special thanks

BASIC DETAILS

The 2025 Far West Literacy Symposium is co-presented by  the Ysleta Community Learning Center and El Paso Public Libraries in partnership with Literacy Texas. 

The symposium has the theme “Transforming lives through literacy” and will be held on:

Thursday, January 23 & Friday, January 24, 2025

Check-in for registered participants will open at 7:30 AM (MT) on both days. 

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.

The symposium provides up to 11.75 hours of professional development.

LOCATION

This symposium will be held at Ysleta Community Learning Center, 121 Padres Dr, El Paso, TX, 79907.

Click here for map, directions, and parking information

REGISTRATION

This session has reached capacity and is no longer accepting new registrations

Online registration has now closed – but we may have a few spots available for last-minute registrants! Call us on 972-926-3155 for more info.

click here to register now

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 – and make sure you had no typos in your email address when registering.

PD CERTIFICATES

Someone who completes the a session in each timeslot over both days of the symposium will receive 11.75 hours of PD credit.

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.

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 separate to the conference.

Each symposium:

  • Takes place in a different Texas region to help minimize travel
  • Has a local focus
  • Is free to attend
  • Is generally a single 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 5+ hours of professional development

Read more about the symposia here.

Read more about the annual conference here.

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 and family 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: Why should I attend?

Two words: LOCAL + FREE!

Each symposium program focuses 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. Literacy Texas will cover the costs of your tuition, any meals and snacks offered, materials, and other resources. 

Please be aware that in recent years, between 25% and 40% 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.

PROGRAM, SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

See the schedule outline below; detailed descriptions of the workshops will be linked here when confirmed.

Click here to see details about the sessions and speakers

Schedule Day 1: Thursday, January 23, 2025

Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: CHECK-IN, BREAKFAST

8:00 AM – 8:50 AM: WELCOME DAY 1 + OPENING KEYNOTE

Adult Education: The New Frontier
Mahalia Baldini, Texas Workforce Commission

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Session 1 (75 min)

Corrections/Re-Entry and El Paso Promise
Ambar Martinez, El Paso County Jail Annex
Dominique Olivares, El Paso County Jail Annex

Using GED-Ready Data to Inform Instruction
Jonna McDonough Forsyth, GED Testing Service

UpWardly Global
Joanne Michaud, UpWardly Global
Augustine Eagan, UpWardly Global

Junior Achievement of El Paso
Lupe Mares, Junior Achievement of El Paso

10:25 AM – 11:40 AM

Session 2 (75 min)

Allied Health Action Plan: Your Roadmap to Ellii’s Career Pathway Content for ELLs
Laura Jacob, Ellii

Real-World Ready: Integrating Workplace Skills into Adult Learning
Irene Ramos, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)

Adult Education: A Decade of Growth and Future Forecast
Mahalia Baldini, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

Instructional Strategies for Teaching Content, Language, and Literacy*
Mike Saenz, ESC19
*Repeated in session 3

Harnessing the Power of AI: Foundations and Practical Applications
Veronica Alvidrez Alvarez, Ysleta Independent School District (YISD)

11:45 AM – 1:05 PM: WORKING LUNCH + KEYNOTE

Digital + Health + Literacy: A Prescription for Adult Ed and Career Pathways
Jacqueline Aguilera, Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy, Houston

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Session 3 (75 min)

Incorporating Soft Skills into the AEL Classroom
Ruth Villa, Workforce Solutions Borderplex

Understanding and Supporting Students: Recognizing Depression and Anxiety in the Classroom
Rocio M. Bickei, Emergence Health

What is Health Literacy and Why Does it Matter?
Dr. Heather McKnight, College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services at Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Instructional Strategies for Teaching Content, Language, and Literacy*
Mike Saenz, ESC19
*Repeated from session 2

Hallelujah! Hear My Story. Taste My Success.
Hallelujah! BBQ

2:40 PM – 3:55 PM

Session 4 (75 min)

From Resume Writing to Customized Mock Interviews
Jacqueline Armijo, El Paso Public Library
Sophia Apodaca, El Paso Public Library

GED to College: TSIA2
Rose Galindo, El Paso Community College
Antonia Granillo, El Paso Community College

Utilizing Authentic Resources with English Learners
Claudia Jimenez, Office of New Americans
Lorey Gonzalez Flores, Office of New Americans

Project Vida: Economic Development Community
Paloma Medina, Project Vida

Students as Authors and Agents of Change
Ysleta Community Learning Center Student Authors

4:00 PM: FAREWELL DAY 1

Someone who attends all sessions on Day 1 will qualify for 6.5 hours of PD credit.

Click here to see details about the sessions and speakers

[Title of session] – ([room or other location])
[Name of presenter], [organization]

Schedule Day 2: Friday, January 24, 2025

Schedule will be kept as current as possible but is subject to change; check back here for updates

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: CHECK-IN, BREAKFAST

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: WELCOME DAY 2

8:25 AM – 9:40 AM

Session 5 (75 min)

Promoting Nurturing Languages in the Classroom
Kayla Orona, Methodist Children’s Home

Center Future: Freedom Dreaming for Our Lives
Kalina Gallardo, El Paso Public Library

Developing Collaborative and Scaffolded Pathways in Healthcare to Support ELs and Help Struggling Readers Succeed
Heidi Nava, Ysleta Community Learning Center
Emma Rivero, Ysleta Community Learning Center
Elva Villalobos, Ysleta Community Learning Center
MaryLou Boisselier, Ysleta Community Learning Center

Preparing AEL Students for the Citizenship Interview in an EL Class
Jezebel Mathie, USCIS
Rosario Rodriguez, USCIS

Empowering Literacy Programs With AI
Irene Ramos, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL)

9:50 AM – 10:40 AM

SPECIAL SESSION (50 min)

Networking and community collaboration; details pending.

10:50 AM – 12:05 PM

Session 6 (75 min)

El Paso Public Library Presents: Center Future Opportunity Youth
Center Future Youth Fellow Team:
Alexa Harrison
Daniel Inostroza
Kalina Gallardo
Indy Gonzalez

Building a Culture of Shared Power
Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas

Literacy and Career Pathways: Bridging Relevance in a 75-Minute Workshop
Irene Ramos, Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL)

A Teacher’s Dozen: Activities to Engage Your Learners
Martin Loa, Burlington English

Exploring Pathways into the Aerospace Industry
Racheal Haggerty, UTEP Aerospace

12:15 PM – 1:40 PM: WORKING LUNCH + KEYNOTE

Functional Literacy and Houston’s Adult Literacy Blueprint
Jacqueline Aguilera, Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy, Houston

1:50 PM – 3:05 PM

Session 7 (75 min)

Roundtable Discussion – by Invitation
Jacqueline Aguilera, Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy, Houston

Career Online High School
Jacqueline Armijo, El Paso Public Library
Sophia Apodaca, El Paso Public Library

Empowering Communities: Strategies for Engaging Instructors and Volunteers in Adult English Learner Programs
Christine Wells, Engen – New Readers Press

How to Communicate Effectively With Your Healthcare Provider
Dr. Heather McKnight, College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services at Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Utilizing AI “Magic School” and “Brisk” to Support Students and Teachers in Learning and Teaching
Veronica Alvidrez Alvarez, Ysleta Independent School District (YISD)
William L. Snyder, Ysleta Independent School District (YISD)

3:10 PM – 3:30 PM: FAREWELL DAY 2 + DOOR PRIZES

Someone who attends all sessions on Day 2 will qualify for 5.25 hours of PD credit.

Click here to see details about the sessions and speakers

EXHIBITORS

Burlington English

Ellii

EnGen

GED Testing Service

The NROC Project

Pearson English Language Learning

TALAE

DOWNLOADS

Download or print a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending the symposium.

Click here to get the flyer

Download a printable copy of the symposium program. [link whole sentence to PDF]

Printable PDF copy of the symposium program is coming soon.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Ysleta Community Learning Center

El Paso Public Libraries

[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant, new line for each]

The Texas Center for Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)

The Texas Workforce Commission

STAY IN THE KNOW -

click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

Or get news directly from Literacy Texas:

Checked/updated: 1/27/25

Tagged With: abe, adult literacy, esl, instructors, professional development, symposium, training, volunteers

Best of Texas: Language Learning

October 17, 2024 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Learn from peers about best practices and innovative ideas being put into action at literacy programs across our great state. Best of Texas aims to bring local experts together to share their wisdom and experience – and maybe help us all avoid a few pitfalls along the way.

Thank you so much for your interest!

This event is now over.

This online session will be held on:

Thursday, December 19, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (CT).

The Zoom room will open at 9:50 AM.

Please arrive on time – the Zoom room will close to late arrivals 30 minutes after the session begins.

This session will focus on best practices in language learning, language acquisition, and ESL/ESOL in community-based adult and family literacy programs.

ABOUT THIS SESSION

We’ll start with Dr. Katie Welch (UT-Arlington) to share some data and information about ESL in Texas. Then we’ll switch to an interview format with Betty Reyes (Refugee Language Project) and Ysela Arechiga (Literacy Volunteers of Laredo) who will tell us about their ESL programs and insights they have for language-learning among adult literacy students.

Guests this month:

Welch, Katie

Katie Welch
Educational Consultant
Welch Education

Katie Welch, Ph.D., is a university instructor, teacher trainer, and active volunteer in adult ed classrooms. In addition to teaching international students in UT-Arlington’s English Language Institute and volunteering weekly in a community-based ESL/GED program, Katie currently provides professional development to language teachers through partnerships with the U.S. Department of State, Cambridge University Press, and Literacy ConneXus.

Katie’s innovative classroom ideas have been published in academic journals such as Language and American Speech, and she presents regularly at national and international conferences, including TESOL International, COABE, and the National Center for Families Learning.

Reyes-Medina, Betty 300px

Betty Reyes-Medina
Director of Language Services
Refugee Language Project

Betty Reyes-Medina serves as the Director of Language Services at the Refugee Language Project (RLP) in Amarillo, Texas. Initially joining RLP as a volunteer, she was officially hired in 2022 to lead the Interpreting Services program and oversee the Storybook Project and ESL initiatives. In her efforts to effectively serve the language needs of the refugee population in Amarillo, Betty developed an in-house curriculum tailored to Literacy, Beginner, and Intermediate students. This curriculum has been successfully implemented and continues to yield positive results in the classroom. Betty and her team are passionate about fostering a relational approach to teaching English, emphasizing community and connection.

Betty’s English education journey began in Chile while serving in the United Nations program English Opens Doors. There, she fell in love with teaching and helping others get better access to opportunities through language education. Her deep commitment to service and education inspired her to establish Mochilas para la Esperanza in 2012, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underserved communities in the Caribbean and Central America. After finishing her M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language, Betty was hired as a professor at the University of Puerto Rico and other private institutions, where she taught courses in Basic and Intermediate English, Conversational English, Literature, and Research Writing.

Arechiga, Ysela M 300px.

Ysela Arechiga
ESL Specialist
Literacy Volunteers of Laredo

Ysela M. Arechiga retired in December 2022 from the position of Assistant Director, Field Operations – Mission Support for the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office. Mrs. Arechiga was administratively responsible for managing a $45 million dollar budget and a broad portfolio of departments including Human Capital, Finance, Facilities, Field Training Programs, Strategic Communications, and Labor/Employee Relations. Ysela now volunteers with several organizations including Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, Laredo Theater Guild International and St. Patrick’s Church (Lector) and in her spare time, crochets.

Host:

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
Executive Director
Literacy Texas

Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker joined Literacy Texas in January 2024, after a successful run as the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties, a small non-profit that made a big impact on the Texarkana community during her tenure. Dr. Walker helped the organization find financial stability and expanded innovative academic and workforce program options for adult learners at her center. She and her team launched the first 100 Families Alliance in Texas, and this innovative approach to holistic support for students led to impressive growth in enrollment and goal completion rates for those she serves.

Dr. Walker 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 two decades and impacted thousands of students. She is a certified Texas teacher and principal, and she has worked in both adjunct faculty and staff positions in higher education. She has also led professional development trainings for teachers and administrators and served as a public speaker. She earned a doctorate in education leadership from Texas A&M University–Texarkana, and her dissertation research focused on the importance of holistic support for adult learners. She holds a master’s degree in education administration from Texas A&M University–Texarkana, and she earned 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. 

This online learning session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy.

click here to register now

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Special thanks to:

Katie Welch & Welch Education

Betty Reyes-Medina & Refugee Language Project

Ysela Arechiga & Literacy Volunteers of Laredo

The Texas Workforce Commission

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click here to go to the literacy texas calendar
click here to see the national literacy calendar

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Checked/updated 12/20/24

Tagged With: adult literacy, cbo, community, esl, ideas, literacy programs, research based

2024 Literacy Texas Annual Conference

May 18, 2023 by Kathryn Bauchelle

The Literacy Texas Annual Conference is THE event for educators, nonprofit administrators, and organizations working with literacy in Texas. Learn about the latest research in the literacy field. Rub shoulders with experts and connect with like-minded people. Most importantly, leave with the tools, relationships, and inspiration you need to continue making a difference.

click here for registration & scholarship info

2024 Conference Basics

Monday, July 29 – Arrival, check-in, exhibitor set-up, VIP Reception & Exhibitor Grand Opening
Tuesday,
July 30 – Conference Day 1
Wednesday, July 31
– Conference Day 2

The theme of the 2024 conference is “Literacy and Beyond”, and our hashtag is #LitTX24.

find all conference info here

Tagged With: abe, adult literacy, cbo, esl, family literacy, professional development, program administrators, research based, training

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  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Annual Conference
      • NEW: Pre-Conference
      • Theme & Focus
      • Schedule & Program
      • Request for Proposals (RFP)
      • Registration
      • Scholarships & Grants
      • Sponsors & Exhibitors
      • Location & Venue
      • Breakout Presenters
      • Breakout Sessions
      • Past Conferences
    • Regional Symposia
    • Leadership Training
    • Best of Texas
    • The Expert Edge
    • Advocacy
      • National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week
    • Annual Survey
  • Why Literacy?
    • Defining Literacy
    • Literacy Facts
    • Literacy & the Economy
  • Calendar
    • Literacy Texas Events
    • Literacy Calendar
  • Resources
    • Nonprofit Administration
    • Program Structure
    • Classroom Instruction
    • Grants, Funding, & Rebates
    • Organizations, Groups, & Media
    • Plain Language
  • Connect
    • Find a Program
    • Ways to Give
    • Podcasts
      • Instruction Insider
      • Literacy Texas Talks
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • About
    • History
    • Mission
    • Leadership
  • Impact
    • Celebrating Students
      • 2024 Student Hall of Fame
      • 2023 Student Hall of Fame
      • 2022 Student Hall of Fame
    • Celebrating Volunteers
      • 2024 Volunteer Hall of Fame
      • 2023 Volunteer Hall of Fame
      • 2022 Volunteer Hall of Fame
    • Learner Stories
    • Testimonials